Above: Hampton Park Secondary College principal John Pech with Monash Prize winner Rebecca Craig and Monash University representative Liz Molloy.
A HAMPTON Park student has proved herself both academically and in her dedication after winning a Monash Prize for excellence.
Rebecca Craig was nominated by Hampton Park Secondary College principal John Pech as the school’s top year 11 student in 2006.
Dr Elizabeth Malloy, a lecturer in physiotherapy at Monash University, presented the award after the university nominated the school as one of 131 it felt it had a strong association with.
Ms Craig, who plans to work in sports physiotherapy, not only did well academically, but balanced 20 hours of gymnastics training a week with the aim of gaining entry to the Victorian gymnastics team.
The $500 award was announced at Monday’s school assembly, along with the investiture of the college captains Naerelle Dekker and Natasha Vinod, vice-captains Sonya Ku and Riz Manaog and year 12 committee Paige Jones, Mustafa Harun and Ivana Trifkovic.
Ms Dekker and Ms Vinod addressed the school community and spoke of the opportunities they had been given at the school and encouraged all students to be involved with the school’s many activities.
Year 10 students Kaitlyn Davis, Zoe Smith, Annaliza De La Zilwa and Kartik Singh also took the opportunity to speak about the Siemens Science Experience in which they were involved at Monash University last month.
The Rotary Club of Hallam Valley sponsored the students to attend the program.
The junior school leadership team was also inducted at the assembly, with Cara McLean and Daniel McLucas announced as leaders and Rylie Heathfield and Jenelle Dekker vice-captains.
Year nine coordinator Mrs Perera said she was impressed by the standard of the students’ applications and by their commitment to their role.
