What are the Trailblazer Awards?
The Trailblazer Awards celebrates Year 12 students beyond their ATAR, recognising those who have overcome personal challenges and used their final year of school to positively impact their community.
Our Trailblazers will have the opportunity to network with industry leaders, build their personal brand and profile as a future leader, get exam ready in our 1-day HSC Trials Accelerator, and so much more!
Find out how Victoria navigated Year 12 differently throughout 2022!
Introducing: Victoria Carr
Category: Science & Technology
School: Catherine McAuley Westmead
State: NSW
Career Aspiration: Science or medicine
Achievements
- Head Class Teacher and Assistant Leader of Learning in 2021 for teaching BjP Physical Culture
- School Captain 2022
- Lions Youth of the Year Awards and Western Sydney University Youth Leadership Masterclass
What makes Victoria a Trailblazer?
A high-achieving all-rounder, Victoria Carr has dedicated her time to teaching young girls BjP Physical Culture since 2020. Despite interruptions due to COVID lockdowns, Victoria coached a team to 3rd place in the A Grade division and a solo dancer who made it to the national level. Victoria committed to teaching twice a week, whilst also undertaking her own lessons, and adapted to online conditions when required. She became the Head Class Teacher in 2021, promoting the BjP motto: “empowering girls for life” by going beyond teaching dance routines and focusing on building confidence and self-belief.
In addition to her dance and teaching commitments, Victoria has been elected School Captain this year, with an extensive list of extra-curricular achievements including winning 2nd prize in an Insight writing competition and participating in the Lions Youth of the Year Awards. Furthermore, she spends time tutoring both primary and high school students in maths and English.
Victoria has had a wonderful impact on the lives of the girls whom she teaches dance to. Not only does she support their dance endeavours, but she also focuses on developing an inclusive and supportive environment where the girls can grow their confidence. She adapted her teaching methods to include Zoom and Microsoft Sway lessons when necessary, continuing her support throughout lockdowns. On a personal level, she developed time management and communication skills which will be invaluable to her in the professional world. Through her experience with planning and running lessons, engaging with the girls’ parents, and offering extra lessons, Victoria has learnt the responsibilities that come with a leadership position beyond teaching dance.
As a busy student, Victoria is challenged with managing her academic workload with her work commitments, responsibilities as School Captain and social life. However, she is self-aware and recognises how easy it is to become overwhelmed by all of this. So, she is prioritising her mental health and wellbeing and striving to achieve a healthy balance between everything.
“I focus on teaching confidence as well as the dance routines we do… seeing [the girls’] growth is the greatest success.”
Victoria aspires to pursue a career in science or medicine. The skills she has acquired throughout her experiences teaching BjP put her in a position to thrive in any field she chooses! It is Victoria’s devotion to her goals and her dedication to guiding young girls to believe in themselves through dance that has landed her on our list of Top 50 Trailblazers!
The Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazer Awards
The Trailblazer Awards aim to identify and celebrate students who use their final years of school to invest holistically in the skills and experiences that will maximise their own future opportunities and make a contribution to the future of our society.
Our winners for the Year 12 Trailblazer Awards have demonstrated initiative in volunteering for their school or community, have participated in co-curricular activities, and have held leadership positions within their schools.
Learn more about who placed in the Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazers here!
About Art of Smart Education
At Art of Smart Education, we’re an award-winning provider of holistic tutoring and mentoring for students in years K-12. Our mission is to help students answer the difficult question, “What am I going to do with my life when I finish school, and how do I get there?”
We understand that true success involves mastering study, career and leadership skills while maintaining your wellbeing, not just excelling in academics and as a result, over the last decade, we’ve supported over 10,000 students to achieve their best and maximise their options for life after school.
Each year over one million young Australians, parents, and teachers access our guides, videos and resources to navigate the journey through high school.
