Narrogin students buck the odds in year of challenges

The results are in — and Narrogin Senior High School’s class of 2020 has reached the finish line. After the town’s graduating class received its final marks, one of Narrogin’s top ATAR students, Lucy Palumbo, sat down with the Observer to reflect on the challenging year that was. She said Year 12 was much more difficult than she had been expecting, not least because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was very full-on, very stressful and a lot of work that I don’t think anything can prepare you for,” she said. “COVID changed things a lot. “I feel like it put a lot more pressure on. “Once we had the lockdown, that really sent everything crazy. “All the study habits and routines I’d got from Year 11 just went out the door.” Ms Palumbo, who received a certificate of merit for her overall results, said her peers had shown discipline and determination in getting through the year. She is excited about what lies ahead. An animal lover, she is interested in pursuing something in the animal studies field. Next year, she plans to move to Perth for a gap year before deciding on a career. “It will be good to experience life a bit and get some experience in some different areas before I decide on a career — maybe even do some work experience and get an idea about what I might be interested in,” she said. Ms Palumbo is Narrogin Senior High School’s VET Dux for 2020. She said she was proud of her efforts last year. “I wasn't expecting to do this well. I did my best and it’s just a bonus to get awards for it,” she said. NSHS students Quinlan Paice, Michaela Pratt, and Charlotte Tinley also received certificates of merit. The school received a median ATAR score of 65.45 — a significant drop from 72.25 in 2019 and 74.85 in 2018. The Statewide median ATAR for 2020 was 81.85, with 14 WA students achieving the highest possible score of 99.95.