ANYONE who knows Jack Ward would not be surprised that he was last week named Dux of Ararat College.<\/p>\n
From a very early age, Jack has had his eyes set firmly on a career in the media and has successfully juggled his school studies with a part time role with this newspaper over the past 18 months.<\/p>\n
Last week, ATAR results were posted for students across the state, with Jack receiving a score of 82.85.<\/p>\n
He admits COVID-19, lockdowns and uncertainty made studying more challenging.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been a very difficult two years for everyone but particularly our senior students. To have this rewarding end to secondary school means it has all been worthwhile and all that stress and hard work throughout the year and juggling lockdowns and remote learning, it means a lot,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Jack said until the results were posted on line, he was not confident.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone doubts themselves ahead of the ATAR release and you just don\u2019t know, it\u2019s so hard to tell what score you are going to get because it depends on the year and it depends on how everyone else has gone in the state and although there has been a lot of disadvantage this year, we have all been disadvantaged, we are all on the same playing field which is helpful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have put in a lot of work, but at the same time I didn\u2019t go into this year dedicating every hour of my life to year 12, I didn\u2019t want that, I wanted to put my mental health first particularly with the stresses of COVID this year so I was going to be happy with whatever score I got,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ararat College Principal Ellie McDougall paid tribute to Jack\u2019s hard work and determination.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur school could not be prouder of Jack and his achievements, not just this year but throughout his time at our school,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJack has always been a diligent and dedicated student, not just academically but to our school community as a whole and for this we are very grateful. I have no doubt the future holds great things for Jack, and I look forward to following his journey,\u201d Ms McDougall said.<\/p>\n
Acting Senior School Leader Melissa Murnane said Jack had been a delight to teach.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was incredible to watch him develop his confidence and it was always apparent that he loved and cared for the Ararat community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI taught Jack in Media class and he was always a diligent student who would take on further research and report back to me about his findings,\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has been a pleasure to watch Jack develop. He is a humble and kind person which shines through in everything he does and I can\u2019t wait to see where the future takes him,\u201d Ms Murnane said.<\/p>\n
Jack intends moving to Melbourne in the new year to study journalism.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve got a scholarship for student accommodation which makes things extremely helpful and I\u2019m hoping I\u2019ll get into RMIT,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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