HIGH ACHIEVERS FORM STRONG BONDS

TOP Tasmanian graduates of an alternative Year 11/12 qualification have their sights set on Canberra following a challenging and rewarding two years of study.

Friends’ School students Lexie Sheard and Lottie Frohmader both achieved high scores in the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma program.

Both girls have been offered places at the Australian National University.

Lexie, who scored 43 out of a possible 45 in the IB, will study archaeology.

“I wanted to do the IB because I wasn’t sure at the end of year 10 what I wanted to specialise in. The TCE requires a lot of specialisation,” she said.

Lexie said a highlight of the IB was the friendships forged among the small group undertaking the alternative Year 11 and 12 program.

“Everybody worked so hard and supported each other … It’s the people doing it that really make it.’’

Lottie received a perfect score of 45 and plans to study a Bachelor of Arts/ Criminology.

After having a hard time choosing subjects after year 10, she said the IB appealed to her because of its focus on creativity and critical thinking.

Lottie paid tribute to her teachers and peers at Friends’ and her mum for supporting her through her studies.

“There’s no way that I would have ever received this score … if it weren’t for the support network I had around me,” she said.

Friends’ head of senior school Adam Chambers said 19 students graduated from the IB diploma this year.

“We were absolutely thrilled for all the graduating students, it was such an affirmation of all their hard work,” he said.