Callum Barry tops the state in Japanese Beginners

Year 12 student Callum Barry has topped the state in Japanese Beginners in the Higher School Certificate.

Callum, who also studied French Continuers and Extension and Latin Continuers and Extension for the HSC, studied Japanese Beginners by distance education through the Open High School. Director of Teaching and Learning, Mr Lee MacMaster, said the College was thrilled with Callum’s achievement. “This is great news and so well deserved for Callum. He has been an outstanding student and we congratulate him on achieving first place in New South Wales.” he said.

Callum’s supervisor, SJC Head of Languages Miss Courtney Berriman, said she was delighted to see his commitment and hard work result in first place in the course.

“Having been Callum's supervisor for the past two years, I can vouch for the exceptional way in he approached his studies and the consistently high standards he attained right from the very start. This honour really is a fitting tribute to all of his hard work and effort, and the autonomous way he has applied himself to his third foreign language study,” said Miss Berriman.

This year the College offered Japanese Continuers, but was unable to offer Japanese Beginners by regular classroom delivery due to timetabling. Two St Joseph’s took up the option of studying Japanese Beginners by the Open High School and throughout their course they were given many opportunities to participate in activities, excursions and revision sessions designed for the Continuers students.

Miss Berriman thanked Japanese Continuers teacher, Mrs Sue Xouris, for her support and mentoring of the Beginners students. “The experiences Mrs Xouris involved the boys in were invaluable, especially as they had little face-to-face contact with a classroom teacher, and most certainly contributed to Callum’s success.”

Callum now hopes to put his exceptional language skills to good use by following a career in foreign affairs.

 

Read more in The Sydney Morning Herald:

http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/flexible-education-helps-students-go-the-distance-20111213-1ot2w.html#ixzz1gSVIK6Ml

 

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