Student reaps rewards with twin scholarships

Katanning Senior High School graduate Steven Paini, 18, is reaping the rewards of a strong Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank result after receiving two scholarships from the University of WA.

Mr Paini graduated as dux of Katanning Senior High School last year and posted an ATAR of 91.05, which earned him acceptance into UWA’s Bachelor of Science course.

As well as being accepted for his first preference, he received the UWA Alumni Inspire Scholarship, which waives his first-year fees and significantly reduces the costs of his second and third years, and the UWA Excellence Scholarship, worth $500.

Mr Paini studied five ATAR subjects in Year 12 and said his family were “pretty stoked” with his results.

KSHS principal Nicki Polding commended Mr Paini for his excellent results and preparedness to put in the hard work throughout his final year in school.

Ms Polding also said the 2016 ATAR results for Katanning SHS were an improvement on previous years.

“Overall, the Year 12 ATAR results were good, with a median ATAR of 73.9 and improved results in ATAR English, enabling front-door entry for most students applying for university,” she said.

“At Katanning SHS, 98 per cent of Year 12 students in 2016 achieved university entrance or a Certificate II or higher qualification.”

Mr Paini will move into University Hall at UWA later this month and will take on units in engineering, physics and chemistry before deciding which major he will take on.