Hard work has paid off for Cerdon College Merrylands student Annalise Reynolds-Pace, who has topped both Italian Continuers and Italian Extension in the HSC.
Annalise has loved Italian since first learning the language in Year 7. She later had the opportunity to travel to Italy as part of a school immersion experience and has even used her skills to teach the family dogs commands in Italian.
“I’m so passionate about the Italian language,” she said.
“I worked really hard but wasn’t expecting to come first in course, and that made it really special.”
Annalise was quick to thank her teachers, including Maria Marando who is “over the moon” about her achievement. Ms Marando comments that the diligent student gave her studies “a hundred per cent,” often seeking extra chances to practice her Italian conversation skills outside of class.
“Annalise has a passion for language and culture,” Ms Marando said.
“She lived and breathed everything Italian, watching movies and listening to music too.”
Annalise is planning to go to university to become a paramedic next year. She hopes to use her Italian as an exchange student and through future travel too.
Cerdon College Principal Lisa-Maree Browning was thrilled to see Annalise’s application to her studies and enthusiasm for the Italian language recognised through being placed First-In-Course in both her Italian subjects.
“I’m always impressed by the dedication of our students here at Cerdon College,” Ms Browning said.
“We’re all so proud of Annalise’s outstanding achievements, and I also want to celebrate the great results of her classmates and the contribution of their excellent teachers too.”
Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta Director Learning Maura Manning is incredibly proud of Annalise, and all members of the Class of 2022, acknowledging both excellence and endurance.
“Today is all about celebrating these students’ outstanding results and the resilience of the Class of 2022,” Ms Manning said.
“Each and every one of our HSC students has weathered a really challenging few years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.