A 2019 Girton Grammar School graduate is one of only three recipients of a 2020 Premier’s VCE Study Award for outstanding achievement in Environmental Science.

Although the presentation of the Award has been postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic, Jordan Rogers has received his certificate and is already applying his scientific knowledge to policymaking and the law in a Laws/Science degree at Monash University.

“I enjoy Environmental Science because of its unique combination of rigorous science with application. It deals with real problems that we face in terms of ecology and the environment and uses science to suggest methods for resolving them.

“I hope to take Environmental Science further by majoring in Atmospheric Science,” Jordan said.

Jordan said he believes that he did well in Environmental Science because he worked hard, enjoyed the subject and had an engaging and dedicated teacher.

“Throughout Year 12, my teacher, Ms Jessica Loraine, was amazing.

“She was continually engaging the class and maintaining a positive learning environment, while setting a good pace and working through content so that everything was done in time, but not too fast.

Jordan Rogers being interviewed last year after winning a silver medal at the International Earth Science Olympiad in the Republic of Korea, helping the Australian team to secure one of the country’s best performances at the UNESCO-sanctioned International Science Olympiads.

“To do well in the subject my best advice is to make sure you do lots of practice questions, but also take some downtime. Rest is so important in VCE generally, and not all learning has to come straight from the books.

“Thinking about current affairs more broadly and how concepts taught in the subject relate to the real world can provide an interesting way of improving your knowledge. Applying the content to case studies is a useful skill to have for a subject like Environmental Science,” Jordan said.

Acting Head of Girton Grammar School, Dr Emma O’Rielly, said she was not surprised that Jordan had received this prestigious VCE prize, having represented Australia at the 2019 UNESCO-sanctioned International Science Olympiads in Earth and Environmental Earth Science in Korea.

“We are so proud of Jordan not only as an exceptionally dedicated and high-achieving student but as a fine young man with an incredibly bright future,” Dr O’Rielly said.