Wesley students win Victorian International School Student Awards

The recipients of the inaugural Victorian International School Student Awards Program 2013 were recently announced at Parliament House, by the Hon Martin Dixon, MP, Minister for Education. Two students from Wesley College were nominated for the awards and each was successful in winning an award.

The Year 12 (2012) Arts Achievement Award was won by Taewon Ko from the Glen Waverley campus. Taewon will shortly commence Architecture studies at university in Scotland.

During his time at Wesley, Taewon developed his considerable talents as an artist and a photographer. His work, which featured photographs from Taewon’s personal experiences of times spent travelling in Uluru, Tasmania, Sydney and New Zealand, has been included in a number of exhibitions and also displayed around the Glen Waverley campus. The pieces Taewon created in Australia contrasted beautifully with his earlier photography work from Korea. His involvement in activities at school included the International Relations Club and Cultural Diversity Week initiatives. Taewon was a role model for a Year 7 boy, as part of Glen Waverley campus’ mentor program and he was also an excellent role model for other international students, by actively encouraging them to participate in the many opportunities that Wesley College offers all students.

The Year 12 (2012) Global Citizenship Award was won by Xueqiao (Joe) Gu from the St Kilda Road campus. Joe will commence a Business and Economics degree at the University of Illinois in August, 2013.

Joe has a real passion and capacity for connecting international students to local students. During Year 12, Joe was St Kilda Road’s International Relations Society Prefect. Whilst in this role, Joe assisted in redesigning the mentoring program, an experience he found really fulfilling and he relished the opportunity to help new international students feel welcome at their new school. His willingness to commit his time and energy to a wide variety of events encouraged positive relationships between local and international students. The whole school community was engaged by Joe’s enthusiasm and willingness to address both staff and students. His contribution to cross-cultural understanding is a great tribute to him and this has had significant and positive outcomes at the College and has encouraged the further exchange of authentic learning between students from diverse backgrounds.