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Every year Blacktown City Council in conjunction with the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute invites schools within the Blacktown region to nominate a student to be their recipient of the Victor Chang Research Institute Science School Award. The award is to be given to the best Year 11 science student at each school.
“The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI) is one of Australia’s pre-eminent research organisations with both a national and international reputation for excellence in biomedical research and training. In addition to these activities, the VCCRI is committed to the promotion of science in the broader community, and its application to the betterment of our society.” – (Blacktown City Council website).
VCCRI recognises that one of its most important resources in the future are the students in Australian schools as it is there that the highest levels of educational achievement, innovation, creativity and hard work occurs. All this, in addition to an interest in science, are necessary for a scientific career. To foster and encourage an interest in science the Institute has established a Science Award to recognise the efforts and achievements of science students in Australian schools.
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In consultation with all the Science teachers at St Andrews College (Senior) the following students were deemed to be the best science students in the school and we would like to recognise these students: Danielle Derecho, Joshua Hostiadi, Reina Iligan, Shaurya Issar, Jennifer Nieto, Aaron O’Callaghan, Andrew Santoso, Atchaya Senthilkumar Kanwalnoor Singh and Ann Sy.
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From this very strong field of candidates two students were selected to be the recipients of the VCCRI award at Blacktown Council due to their outstanding efforts and achievements in the Science courses that they undertook.
On the 4th of November Andrew and Shaurya, along with twenty other students from different schools in the Blacktown area, attended a presentation ceremony at the Blacktown City Council Chambers. The ceremony began with an introductory presentation of the work carried out at the VCCRI. Dr. Nicola Smith, a prominent molecular pharmacologist from VCCRI, then described her research at the Institute and spoke of how this research has benefited those whose lives have been affected by cardiovascular disease.
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The Mayor of Blacktown, Councillor Stephen Bali and Dr. Nicola Smith presented the Victor Chang Research Institute Science School Award to each student. In addition to this award Andrew and Shaurya were also given an invitation to spend time at the Institute to learn first-hand about its activities and about career opportunities in science.