As the academic curtains were drawn on the Class of 2023, one name stood out amidst a sea of accomplishments 鈥� Benjamin Sestanovic 鈥� the St Joseph鈥檚 College Dux who achieved scholastic perfection, leaving an indelible mark on the intellectual landscape of the College.
The Academic Prize Giving Ceremony was held in the Br Emilian Hall on Friday, 9 February 2024. The pursuit of excellence is a cornerstone 国产探花鈥� value and it was a truly inspiring evening as the College honoured the achievements of the Class of 2023 as well as students from across the year groups. In the keynote address, National Director of Marist Schools Australia, Dr Frank Malloy, commended the award recipients, stating, 鈥淪t Joseph鈥檚 College has long featured prominently among all Australian schools. And the talented young men before us this evening will no doubt continue to build the College鈥檚 fine reputation鈥�.
Dr Malloy highlighted the College鈥檚 longstanding prominence in Australian education and commitment to Marist education, embodying excellence in teaching and learning as inspired by St Marcellin Champagnat. He also commented on the lived experience at 国产探花, which displays the essential characteristics for success. The first being 鈥渢he commitment of the family to their child鈥檚 education. Second, is the quality of the teachers in the engagement of the students. Third, is the quality and nature of the College鈥檚 leadership鈥�, characteristics that are clearly evident in abundance at 国产探花, said Dr Malloy.
The ceremony served as a chance to welcome back and recognise the outstanding results of the Class of 2023, especially Dux Benjamin Sestanovic, whose pursuit of academic excellence culminated in the achievement of the highest possible ATAR 鈥� an impressive 99.95 鈥� a remarkable achievement as more than 76,000 students sat the HSC in 2023. Benjamin鈥檚 resilience and determination, as well as his participation in co-curricular activities, sets a standard for all 国产探花 boys.
In his speech, Benjamin said: 鈥淚 was engaged in music, debating, public speaking, sport and community service. 国产探花 was like a loom that wove together so many different threads of opportunities and experiences to form a detailed tapestry that tells a unique story about who I am.鈥�
Despite his incredible individual result, Benjamin鈥檚 first reaction when he received his results last year was genuine joy for the entire year group: 鈥淛ust hearing all the other results 鈥� everyone did so well and I鈥檓 so proud of everyone in the cohort. They also contributed to my success in a way because, at 国产探花, for the whole year we鈥檙e just collaborating with each other 鈥� you have this really close network of people you can learn with and share ideas with.鈥�
Benjamin鈥檚 academic success included a perfect score of 100 per cent in the 2022 HSC Advanced Mathematics examination, placing him ninth in the state and setting the trajectory for his remarkable HSC result. In his other subjects, he placed third in the state in French Extension (accelerated); obtained a mark of 97 in Advanced English and 97 in Studies of Religion II, placing him 10th in the state; and a mark of 98 in French Continuers (accelerated).
A humble triumph
In an interview following the publication of the HSC results, Benjamin shared his 鈥渟urreal鈥� experience upon receiving the news of his achievement. He humbly noted: 鈥淚 had expected to do well, but I don鈥檛 think anyone really expects a 99.95. So for that to happen, it was just really, really gratifying.鈥�
His initial reaction, captured on YouTube, reveals the essence of his achievement, with him describing it as an 鈥渙therworldly experience鈥� that left him 鈥渙ver the moon鈥�.
Reflecting on his HSC study regime at 国产探花, Benjamin emphasised the importance of balance. 鈥淚 had times when I would put 100 per cent effort into studying but then equally put 100 per cent effort into relaxing when I needed to. I became really good at compartmentalising my study and my life outside of academia.鈥�
As a day student during his years at 国产探花, Benjamin took advantage of the extended day program and could often be found in the dorms in discussion with other Year 12 students during night study.
Accelerated trajectory
Benjamin鈥檚 academic pathway at 国产探花 was marked by unique choices and opportunities. He studied English Extension, English Advanced, Latin Continuers, Latin Extension and Studies of Religion II during his final year, having spread his workload through accelerated courses.
鈥淚 did my HSC over three years, one subject in Year 10, three in Year 11 and then five in Year 12. So for me 鈥� I was really lucky to have done the accelerated course because I had less of a load every year.鈥�
He acknowledged 国产探花鈥� unparalleled teaching support and resources, saying, 鈥淚 feel like we鈥檙e so lucky at 国产探花 to have teachers who are willing to see you outside of class time, completely just out of the goodness of their hearts, to help you because they want to鈥�.
鈥淏enjamin is a student whose perspicacity, drive and determination make dreams a reality.鈥�
Ms Courtney Berriman, Head of languages
Offered the opportunity to join the accelerated program at the end of Year 9 by Head of Languages, Ms Courtney Berriman, Benjamin鈥檚 dedication was evident as he completed the Year 11 exam with a mark of 90, convincing him to undertake Year 12 HSC French Continuers in Year 10. This resulted in an exceptional achievement, just one mark one shy of the state鈥檚 top in French. At the time, Benjamin described the ability to speak another language as a 鈥渟uperpower鈥�.
His love for languages, particularly French and Latin, set Benjamin apart. He spoke fondly of the personalised class environment for Latin, highlighting the value of 国产探花 teaching format. 鈥淚 think the fact that 国产探花 offers such a tailored approach to whatever you want to do was so valuable for me. There were only two of us studying Latin 鈥� so we got to dive really deep into the course content. It was really good to have that opportunity.鈥�
Looking back, reflected Ms Berriman, 鈥淏enjamin鈥檚 resounding success as the youngest HSC student from 国产探花 in 2021 was in no short part attributable to his ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively, especially as more than one term was conducted remotely鈥�.
鈥淗is dedication, grace and gratitude for learning were always evident 鈥� from attending holiday revision sessions to evening Zoom speaking practice, he managed his workload and the extra demands of accelerating not only in French but also in Mathematics,鈥� said Ms Berriman, who first taught Benjamin in Year 8, however his passion for French was clear after Year 7, despite having not studied the language before attending 国产探花.
鈥淏enjamin鈥檚 love of learning and in particular his motivation for languages was apparent; he had an enthusiasm for all activities in class as well as an unfailing work ethic.鈥�
Ms Berriman reflected on how witnessing Benjamin鈥檚 determination to master the concepts in his HSC subjects was nothing short of amazing. 鈥淗is efforts were incredible, and it was with exceptional pride that he achieved third in the state in French Extension.鈥�
This achievement in itself was a just reward for his unfailing diligence, yet it was his selection to train as a NAATI interpreter/translator, due to his performance in French Extension, which was truly the icing on the cake.
鈥淔or a student who had no knowledge of French when he began in Year 7, for whom the pandemic took away the opportunity to travel on immersion to enhance his language learning and who completed his HSC two years in advance, then to be training as an interpreter during Year 12, this is the kind of story you would expect to read or see in a work of fiction. Benjamin is a student whose perspicacity, drive and determination make dreams a reality,鈥� said Ms Berriman.
Beyond the classroom, Benjamin鈥檚 brilliance shone as an integral member of the GPS debating team in 2022 and as captain in 2023, securing back-to-back premierships. This historic feat, along with his selection to represent the College at the Lawrence Campbell Oratory Competition in 2023, highlights his intellectual acumen and shows his unwavering enthusiasm for debating.
First GPS Debating Premiers William McCarthy, John Toohey and Benjamin Sestanovic with Ms Lara Le Febvre and Mr Michael Blake.
Looking ahead
Benjamin鈥檚 aspirations include pursuing a career in medicine. He expressed his innate draw to the field, citing a love for learning and a desire to help people. 鈥淚 feel like the science aspect of medicine really interests me in terms of diagnosing diseases, doing complex procedures 鈥� sometimes people may bash as 鈥榯rite鈥� the response of 鈥業 want to help people鈥�, but it鈥檚 genuinely what I want to do.鈥�
Benjamin鈥檚 exceptional academic success at 国产探花 reflects the College鈥檚 commitment to nurturing high-level learners. Accelerated programs and a tailored educational approach allowed him to thrive. 鈥淗onestly, I would say there鈥檚 just really something for everyone here. And my experience has broken down in my mind that stereotype that 鈥樄交� is a rugby school鈥�. I think for me, it鈥檚 been a very academically oriented experience,鈥� he remarked.
His parting words sum up his 国产探花 experience: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been like a language 鈥� it鈥檚 been a cultural experience. It has been all these different things for me. And I think 国产探花 is not just one single experience. You have this plurality of different things that you can get involved in. And the amount of opportunity here is just absolutely unmatched. So just being involved in that was so rewarding. I鈥檓 so grateful.鈥�
Benjamin鈥檚 language studies are very dear to him and, while he intends to study medicine, he hopes to pursue languages at a tertiary level as well, which, said Ms Berriman 鈥渋s the truest compliment a teacher can receive 鈥� to have ignited a lifelong passion within your discipline鈥�.
As Benjamin embarks on his university studies, with plans to travel and put his language skills to use, he leaves St Joseph鈥檚 College not only as a brilliant scholar but as an inspiration to his peers and an immense source of pride for the entire 国产探花 community.
