Baillieu’s best and brightest

A PERFECT score in specialist mathematics is a rare feat, but Nathaniel Lizak joined the exclusive club and won a 2012 Premier’s VCE Award for his troubles.

Lizak was one of 10 students from Melbourne’s Jewish schools congratulated by Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu for exceptional grades in their VCE studies at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre last Wednesday.

A study score of more than 46 out of 50 is a prerequisite for consideration for a Premier’s Award. “I was hoping to do well but I didn’t think that well,” said Lizak, who completed VCE at Bialik College last year.

Beth Rivkah Ladies College student Hadassah Cohen, Bialik students Yael Jacoby, Max Kausman, Mount Scopus Memorial College students Aron Mazur, Adam Den, Daniel Komesaroff, Ariel Kuperman, Andrea Sternfeld and The King David School student Marco Fink also received awards.

“It’s a big surprise, it’s very exciting,” said accounting award recipient Sternfeld.

“It gives us lots of naches,” added her mother Tracy.

Kuperman, who is completing his year 12 studies this year, said receiving the award for maths methods felt “pretty special”, while double award winner, Mazur was thrilled with his accomplishments in English and religion and society.

Six awards were taken home by students at Mount Scopus, with principal Rabbi James Kennard praising the teenagers for their contributions to the school. “These awards for academic excellence were gained by students who also fully immersed themselves in all aspects of Scopus life, and contributed much to the spirit of the college. Their dedication, hard work and commitment are to be commended. I also congratulate their teachers who contributed so much to this success,” Kennard said.

Head of the Victorian branch of the Association of Principals of Jewish Day Schools Roy Steinman said the awards were proof of the value of the Jewish school system.

“The Jewish community takes pride in this public recognition of excellence emanating from our Jewish day schools. The Premier’s Awards are a fitting tribute to the students’ hard work and the dedicated efforts of their teachers and their schools. We wish them, their families and school communities mazal tov,” Steinman said.

Acting Bialik principal Gary Velleman said he was immensely proud. “As was acknowledged by each of the recipients, accomplishments of this magnitude are not achieved without the support and guidance of family and teachers, who share delight in their success.”

LIVIA ALBECK-RIPKA

comments