Individual Pathways for Individual Students!

Undertaking an ATAR Pathway at any time is a difficult proposition to navigate, let alone in a year where the world changed significantly with the Covid -19 Pandemic. Add to this the time, effort and determination required to be an Olympic Athlete and it would be perfectly understandable to assume that it may well have all been too much to ask of anyone. However, Year 12 Mater Dei College student, Rhiannon Clarke did just that and excelled in 2020.

 Mater Dei College wishes to acknowledge and congratulate Rhiannon on her outstanding efforts to achieve an ATAR of 90.25 in a year that disrupted her studies and preparation for the Tokyo Paralympic Games.  

 Mater Dei College offers a variety of Senior School Pathways to accommodate the individual needs of students. Along with ATAR, General and Vocational Education and Training Pathways there are a number of Alternative University Entry options that allow students at the College more choice in determining what suits them the best as an individual in aspiring to their future goals.

 All Pathways also offer students the opportunity to complete both the Murdoch and Edith Cowan University Preparation programmes whilst still at school and a unique partnership with SAE QANTM provides students with an insight and post-secondary options in regard to the Creative Technologies Industry.

In Rhiannon’s case the College was able to work with her in determining how best to manage the ATAR Pathway in line with her athletic commitments. Completion of the Elite Sports Performance Endorsed Program through the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) allowed Rhiannon the ability to achieve the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) and the minimum four courses in Year 12 required to achieve an ATAR score.

In addition to meeting these requirements, the extra time afforded Rhiannon through a non - traditional Year 12 timetable, allowed her to not only meet the numerous requirements both in and out of school in regard to both her Year 12 and athletic commitments but excel. These achievements, however, must be attributed to Rhiannon’s character, organisation independence, determination and of course both her academic and sporting ability. 

 In a year where her Olympic dreams were momentarily halted, Rhiannon never lost sight of her academic or athletic aspirations. In addition to her academic achievements in 2020 Rhiannon was also the recipient of the 7 NEWS Young Achiever Awards WA Surge Fitness Perth CBD Sports Award and in September was amongst the first 10 Australian Athletes selected for the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics.

 Mater Dei College is extremely proud of Rhiannon’s achievements in 2020. We congratulate her on an outstanding score of 90.25 and wish her the very best for Tokyo 2021.

Paul Watson