26 Feb 2019
The highest award our school can bestow on a student is the Dux award for academic excellence. The recipient for 2018, Storm Davidson, exemplifies that perseverance and diligence are the foundations of a successful school journey.
“Storm is a woman of great substance,” said Liz Neville, teacher and mentor of senior students.
In her speech, Storm inspired students to believe in themselves, work hard and make future-oriented decisions.
“What matters, and what takes you places, is simply the amount of effort that you give,” Storm said.
“Instead of aiming to be the smartest person in the room, just try to be the sort of person who knows they gave it their all. Aim to graduate high schooling knowing without a doubt that you made the most of your time here and that you did everything you were capable of doing. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Storm was honoured by Learning Edge senior program supervisor, Liz Neville, who described her as “Storm by name, and storm by nature.”
“The same way a storm will not be deterred from its path, our Storm embraced each task with passion and determination,” said Liz.
“Storm’s journey has certainly not been a selfish one. She consistently helped to calm her stressed peers, sharing resources and offering support where needed,” said Liz.
Storm achieved an ATAR of 95.7 and was named on the NSW Honour Roll of elite achievers for her Band 6 marks in Business Studies, Mathematics General 2, PDHPE, and Hospitality, the most out of any students at Camden Haven High School in 2018. She also attained a Band 5 in Standard English. She was ranked first in all her subjects, apart from Maths where she ranked second.
Storm attributed her success to hard work and believing in herself, as well as the support of her teachers.
“Without teachers as dedicated and caring as you, I wouldn’t be up here today,” Storm said.
Storm stressed the importance of working smart, as well as working hard. She chose subjects she was interested in and was determined to succeed from the outset.
“Storm’s results prove that hard work combined with choosing the subjects you enjoy are key to achieving success in Year 12,” said Rob Lyttle, Deputy Principal of senior students.
“I would like to acknowledge the work of our teaching staff who continue to improve the learning outcomes of all senior students,” said Rob.
Storm was presented with an award and cheque from Tony Maher of Higgins & Dix Lawyers.
“The reason I’m here is because I chose to work hard, and I chose to believe in myself,” she said.
In her speech, Storm inspired students to look beyond the traditional path of university to prosper.
“Successful people are not always gifted, they just work hard and succeed on purpose,” Storm quoted in her speech.
“In a few years’ time you’ll see me as a growing small business owner, reminding you that they key to success is nothing other than hard work,” Storm said.
“Our Storm was like lightening and blasted assumptions apart,” said Liz Neville, “she knew where she was headed and would not be deterred.”
Storm encouraged future Year 12 students to “do what’s right for you”.
“I’m sticking with what I know is right and doing it my way,” said Storm. “Just try and stop me.”
The graduate said she enjoyed Year 12, more than anything learning the skills to make her future successful like time management, discipline and work-life balance.
“By the end I loved all my subjects and all my teachers, so I enjoyed going to class,” Storm said.
Storm is one of five students who achieved an ATAR over 90, with three coming close over 89. There were 11 face-to-face students on the Honour Roll from our school, making us the highest ranked public school in the Mid North Coast.
