Rhodes Scholar’s advice: take your opportunities

Recently announced Rhodes Scholar David Sherwood returned to Bunbury Senior High School to address students at a school assembly last Tuesday morning.

Mr Sherwood commanded his audience’s attention with a motivational speech encouraging students to make the most of their time at school and take advantage of opportunities that come their way.

Bunbury Senior High School’s dux of 2008 also thanked a long list of former teachers still at the school for helping to shape him into the person he is today.

“I have awesome memories of my time at Bunbury Senior High,” Mr Sherwood said.

“The school is full of fantastic teachers who taught me valuable life lessons like the value of working hard and how to think outside the box.”

Mr Sherwood left Bunbury Senior High School with an ATAR of 99.8 and moved to Perth to study UWA’s elite Bachelor of Science (Advanced) course.

“When I was in first year I was dead set on becoming a science researcher but since co-founding a not for profit (organisation) called Teach Learn Grow in 2011 I’ve become very interested in education and educational reform,” he said.

Mr Sherwood will travel to England to attend Oxford University in October where he intends to study a Bachelor of Arts majoring in philosophy, politics and economics, but the Bunbury product is determined to return to WA.

“I’ve travelled a fair bit and honestly don’t think anything can compare to the people and climate here in WA,” he said.

“I’d like to come back one day and help elevate the status of teachers in this country because I believe that’s the key to improving education standards.”