A new world opens for Jess

It has been an exciting time for Wonthaggi Secondary College Year 12 student Jessica Purvis since the 2020 VCE results came out.

While lockdown and home schooling has presented challenges for all students, Jessica has done it tougher than most.

She has lived independently since the beginning of 2019.

When the Sunset Strip 18-year-old opened her results last week to an ATAR score of 90, which far exceeded her expectations, she was delighted. But then unsure!

“Honestly, I thought my score must have been a mistake,” said a very happy Jess.

“I was expecting a score in the 70s. I thought I must have been given the wrong result.

“I refreshed the page quite a few times to check.”

Her doubts were put to rest two hours later, however, by a phone call from Melbourne University, offering her a Chancellor’s scholarship and a place in biomedicine.

The life-changing offer in an instant opened up a whole new world for Jess.

The scholarship provides full fee remission, the sum of $5,000, an additional $2,500 which can be put toward an international university exchange program, and guaranteed admission into a graduate degree at Melbourne University.

Jess explains that biomedicine is a lead in course to becoming a Doctor of Medicine.

“My aunty was a doctor, and growing up I always wanted to be one,” she said.

“I have always been fascinated by maths and science, but I did not consider medicine as a science degree until this year. I was initially looking at engineering and hoping to get into Monash.
“And I also considered studying music, which is a passion of mine,” she added.

But gaining the place in biomedicine is a dream come true and is the path that she is determined to follow.

Like most other students, Jess agrees studying throughout Covid has not been easy this year. She found the first lockdown hard, living out of home, “but the second lockdown was better,” she said.

“I was more mentally prepared for it and surrounded by supportive people.”

Jess said her teachers at WSC had been extremely helpful to her, and she was very grateful for their support.

“Particularly my maths teachers were very good and very supportive to me. I am very thankful for their help. Some of the teachers took on a lot in regards to looking out for students’ mental health and wellbeing, with the added stresses of COVID.”

Wonthaggi Secondary College senior campus principal Margaret O’Donnell, speaking last week, said the school was very proud of Jess’s achievement and the offer of a Mebourne University Chancellor Scholarship for Jess was fantastic.

“She is a remarkable young woman,” Ms O’Donnell said.

“Jess has made the most of every minute at school and been driven through wanting a maths and science pathway. For her to engage with her studies the way she did was remarkable.

“Every spare minute and during school breaks, she could be found in the library working away.”

With school now behind her, Jess has moved to Melbourne already, and is enjoying the new experience.

“It’s amazing!” is her verdict.

“A whole new world has opened up. I have amazing house mates. One of them is studying music and it is opening the door to get involved in a band.

“I have a great passion for music, and play the guitar, so am looking forward to also getting involved in musical activities at university.”