17 Dec 2015
An 18-year-old Dubbo College student who has worked two jobs to support herself is one of the school's outstanding achievers in this year's Higher School Certificate.
Skye Brownsea achieved three Band 6 results, including 98 for general maths, 94 for senior science and 92 for PDHPE. She also received Band 5s in biology and dance, a subject she took up for the first time in Year 11.
Skye is an independent student who has worked up to 25 hours each week, fitting study into her schedule, often staying up until two in the morning.
She is highly determined and the first to admit the past 12 months have proved challenging.
"I am really driven to succeed, so my life has involved working two jobs, paying rent, making meals, cleaning and study," she said.
"In two years I have only missed one day of school and I really think not missing classes has contributed to my results.
"Content is so much easier to grasp when you are taught by great teachers rather than trying to learn it by yourself.
"During Year 12 I worked teaching dance at Dubbo City Performing Arts Studio and as night manager at Eagle Boys.
"I became really good at power napping, so that sometimes when I arrived home from school I'd have a 20-minute nap before work.
"Then after work was finished I would come home and write study note summaries from the day's school work.
"Quite often I would stay up until one or two in the morning, then get up for school that day."
Skye moved from Townsville at the start of 2014, having dropped out of Year 11 in Queensland the previous year.
Family difficulties resulted in her becoming independent by the end of Year 11.
Taking up dance last year proved a great outlet for Skye, who said she had always been keen to try it.
"I really just never had the opportunity until I came to the College," she said.
"My teacher Jess Schulte kept encouraging me at times when I felt like giving up and now dance is a really important tool for self-expression. It's something I'll continue with."
Skye sings the praises of her teachers at Dubbo College.
"My maths teacher Paul Schroder is one of the most amazing teachers I have ever met," she said.
"I don't know anyone more dedicated to teaching and I relied on him for help and support throughout my years at Senior Campus.
"All of my teachers were really supportive including Rebecca May, Marisha Blanco, Joan Rheinberger and Jess Schulte.
"I've just loved my time at the College."
Skye, who also praised the support provided by her mother and aunty, has strong aspirations to ultimately study medicine.
"I have applied to three universities to undertake medical science, with a view to move into medicine as soon as I can," she said.
"It's early days but I think I would like to specialise in paediatrics or surgery.
"If I can I would like to go straight to university next year. I'm now working four jobs in Dubbo and I have some money saved and I could get a part-time job once I go to uni.
"This year has proved to me that it is possible to achieve good study results, live independently and undertake paid employment at the same time.
"I made up my mind a long time ago that I wanted to make something of myself and contribute to society.
"After all, it's not handed to you on a silver platter."