Message from the Head of Secondary, Scholars 2025

It’s been an exhilarating start to the 2025 school year and our students have brought great energy, enthusiasm and camaraderie back to campus. After the sheer joy of last week’s 30th anniversary events, I have enjoyed meeting many families at this week’s secondary information evenings, and note that the final instalment of these – for years 10-12 parents – is scheduled for 25 February. Preparations for March’s activity week are in full swing and trip leaders are coordinating various information sessions over the next fortnight.

At this week’s secondary assembly, we celebrated the achievements of the graduating class of 2024, inducting sixteen new “AISHK Scholars” in recognition of their outstanding performance in last year’s HSC and IBDP examinations. As per tradition, their names will now be inscribed on the Scholars Honour Board in the auditorium.

The criteria for the award of Scholar are based both on Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and achievement of grades at the highest level in individual subjects. Additionally, the top-scoring HSC and IB students each year are awarded the prestigious ‘Tom Corkhill Trophy’, named in honour of long-serving former AISFL Chairman, Mr Tom Corkhill.

It is my great pleasure to announce that this year’s Tom Corkhill Trophy winners are Adam Chan (HSC) and Jessica McKenzie and Kimberley Ng (IB).

At assembly, I noted that success in public examinations is by no means the only measure of success in life, and there is so much more to an AISHK education than just results. However, in acknowledging the Scholars each year, we are reminded of the personal excellence that can be achieved in our community through hard work and a positive growth mindset. It also reminds us that for students and teachers, there is no more important work than what happens inside the classroom. Everyone at AISHK should strive to be “scholarly”: curious about the world, creative when solving problems, and resilient in the face of challenges.

We are extremely proud of the achievements of the class of 2024, and it’s my pleasure to share this video showcasing their well-deserved success.