Declan on a fast track

Like most nine-year-olds, Declan Sander is spending time at home, enjoying all the summer holidays have to offer.

But unlike most children his age, this year at primary school was his last.

Through intelligence and discipline beyond his years the Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School student has graduated from primary school two years earlier than expected.

Declan, pictured, began his schooling in Melbourne, and along the way skipped Year 1 and Year 3, moving to Gelorup and to BCGS in time for Year 4.

His mum, Lisa Sander, says his deep passion for learning is not hereditary, rather something he developed himself, and has been a major factor in his accelerated journey.

“He did an early entry into prep, he skipped Grade 1, did Grade 2, skipped Grade 3 when we moved over here and then did four, five and six,” she said. “He was always really switched on, he was fluently reading by four and he just loves learning.

“Maths is his thing but it is not my thing so it is definitely not hereditary.”

Declan is one of five children and balances his passion for education with a love of sport, mostly football and cricket.

Despite his smarts, his dream once he leaves school, however soon that may be, is to make the most of physical, rather than academic attributes.

“I want to be a sports player,” he said.

There is always a back-up plan however, and when asked what he would do if missed out on being an athlete he said “I have also thought about being a YouTuber”.

Declan moves into high school in 2021, walking the same halls as students up to nine years older than him.

“I am a little bit nervous but mostly excited,” he said.