Every North Lake student knows about making a new start – each has a story to tell whether they’ve come from another country, another town or city, another school or another circumstance.
When Pearl Kellie arrived at North Lake in 2010, after a couple of days at Fast Track, she was entering her first mainstream school. She was born and grew up in The Philippines and had, for the most part, been home-schooled.
Pearl set simple goals – to settle in, to do her work, to make progress – she wasn’t looking too far ahead. She impressed her teachers so much that she was awarded a Rotary Club of Booragoon endeavour scholarship recognising her commitment to achievement and good character. Recently Pearl was invited to join students from other schools and to speak at a club meeting about the benefits gained from the club’s youth programs.
“I was a self-supporting student, working part-time so I felt really blessed to receive the scholarship. It was a big encouragement and helped in my ability to keep going,” Pearl told the gathering.
Just before the 2011 North Lake valedictory Pearl learned she had gained early entry to Murdoch University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Marketing & Management and a minor in Business Law. Pearl began work as a receptionist at Cicero Corporate Services in Subiaco in 2015 and is now training to become a company secretary and studying for a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance.
Pearl said the teachers at North Lake played a big part in her success. “The teachers make the school and they encourage you to your best no matter what your background. They give you a chance.
“I’m very grateful for help I received from North Lake and the Rotary Club of Booragoon,” Pearl said, “If there are lessons I could pass on I would say you can do anything you want and not to worry about others around who might try to pull you back a little bit – just do what you can do.”
