Remarkable students battle hardship and illness to earn their HSC
28 February 2008
- Andrei Gudas and Samantha Dickson
NSW Minister for Education and Training, John Della Bosca, has today (28 February) presented special awards and paid tribute to two students who have battled tremendous hardship and severe illness during their HSC.
The 2007 Brother John Taylor Memorial Prize for students who have overcome disability or disadvantage during Year 12 was awarded to Samantha Dickson of Bega High School and Andrei Gudas who studied at Sydney Technical High School.
“Although the Brother John Taylor Trust received many moving nominations, they could not go past the courage and determination of Sam and Andrei,” the Minister said.
“Sam had to overcome an unstable and difficult home life and then deal with a cancer diagnosis and surgery just before her HSC exams – challenges that would have deterred many from persevering with their studies.
“She is a truly remarkable person who defines courage and dignity. The award is a tribute to her and she has gone on to pursue a Bachelor of Science at Macquarie University.
“Andrei’s battle with Crohn’s disease is equally inspiring. He was forced to repeat Year 12 after having to cease his studies in 2006 just before the HSC trials due to severe pain, extensive hospitalisation and intensive treatments,” Mr Della Bosca said.
“Midway through his second attempt, he was diagnosed with the crippling condition and despite painful symptoms including stomach cramps and fatigue he continued his HSC studies with steely determination.
“He is a very worthy recipient who has shown immense courage which will serve him well during his Bachelor of Engineering and a Bachelor of Business at the University of Technology.
“Sam and Andrei were among a record 66,473 students who undertook the HSC across NSW last year.
“The HSC is a world class credential and anyone who completes the requirements deserves our congratulations.
“Our HSC students continue to go from strength to strength benefiting from NSW’s record $11.2 billion education and training budget,” the Minister said.
“In 2007, there was a record 1036 ‘all-rounders’ students who achieved a mark of 90 or more in at least 10 units and an all-time high 14,607 distinguished achievers who gained a mark of 90 or higher in at least one subject,” Mr Della Bosca said.
The Brother John Taylor Memorial Prize was introduced in 1993 to commemorate the contribution Brother John Taylor made to education as a principal, Executive Director of Catholic Education and as a valued member of education boards, including the Board of Studies NSW, following his death.
The award, which includes a $1000 prize and certificate, is presented to HSC students who have overcome significant disability or disadvantage to achieve academic excellence.
Student profiles
Samantha Dickson, Bega High School
Samantha, 20, experienced many setbacks during her school years which she overcame to perform well in the HSC.
Having attended four schools in five years, she took a year off school in 2005 to support her mother and elder brother. When she and her mother settled in Bega in April 2006, it appeared she would finally have some stability in her life.
Samantha returned to school to start her HSC journey in Year 11, but accommodation did not work out and they were forced to live in a tent at a local caravan park. As a testament to her dedication to her studies, she spent every spare moment at the school and town libraries. She made some good friends and gained the respect of the school community for her personal qualities, which included volunteering for extra curricula duties.
In October 2006, Samantha faced another move with her mother but decided to stay so she could complete her HSC in Bega. She was able to stay with the families of two of her friends, which enabled her to finish her schooling. They also helped her obtain holiday jobs in customer service and as a shelf stacker.
During 2007, Samantha worked diligently towards her HSC. She completed her trial exams and was preparing for the final exams when she was rushed to hospital with severe abdominal pains in September 2007. She underwent surgery and it was discovered she had cancer.
Her illness prevented her from sitting for the HSC exams, which she found frustrating because she had worked so hard.
However, she earned her HSC based on assessments and was given a place at Macquarie University studying for a Bachelor of Science degree.
Samantha attributes her success to her “stubborn streak”. She says she is a very persistent person who will achieve what she puts her mind to, even if she goes about it the long way.
She says the support of her friends, their families and her school was also invaluable.
“I was very serious about my study, doing home work and reading text books most of the time, and my friends made sure I got out and relaxed,” Samantha says.
“My advice to HSC students is: Don’t get too stressed out. Study hard and do your best, but make sure you have some fun.”
Andrei Gudas, Sydney Technical High School
Andrei Gudas, 18, who suffers from Crohn’s disease, overcame difficulties associated with the illness to excel in the HSC.
Andrei was first hospitalised with symptoms in July 2006, just before the HSC trials. He could not attend school or sit the trials and exams due to prolonged periods in hospital, intensive treatments and severe pain.
By November 2006, he was recovering and decided to repeat Year 12.
For the first half of 2007 he was still not in the best of health but was able to manage his studies. Then in May 2007, he began feeling very sick. Tests revealed he had Crohn’s disease and so began regular visits to three doctors, a variety of treatments and a long list of symptoms including stomach cramps and fatigue.
Despite his condition, he maintained a steady study routine. His parents were very supportive and told him not to push himself too hard because stress would exacerbate the disease.
One of Andrei’s biggest hurdles was the 2007 HSC trial exams. The memory of having abandoned the trials 12 months before was still vivid, and he was undergoing changes to his medication.
He says he kept motivated by taking everything one step at a time, concentrating on the first trial exam, and then the next.
The trials went better than expected, and helped give him the confidence to continue. In the weeks leading up to the HSC exams his doctors decided to suspend his medical visits so he could concentrate on his studies.
He did well in the exams, and has been accepted into a Bachelor of Engineering and a Bachelor of Business at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Andrei’s battle with Crohn’s disease continues however he is hopeful that new treatment will alleviate the symptoms.
His advice to 2008 HSC students is: “Communicate with those around you – your parents, friends, even past HSC students.
“I suffered silently when I started the HSC in 2006 and people thought I was doing okay when I wasn’t.
“Doing it the second time round I communicated with my parents and friends and they reassured me that I should just do my best and not put pressure on myself.
“That helped me to relax. When I got the results they were even more proud of me.”
NSW Government