Elizabeth Watson was “overwhelmed” to have placed Fifth in the State for Japanese Extension while still in Year 11 at IGS.
“I am kind of in a state of shock,” she said.
“I did not expect this kind of result. It was a real struggle.”
Elizabeth joined IGS in Early Learning, speaks Japanese at home with her mother, and went on exchange to Japan twice, initially for 10 days and again, as a senior, for three weeks.
She loved the experiences which have created lasting friendships, and she’s gone on to achieve IGS First Place in both HSC Japanese Continuers and HSC Japanese Extension in 2025.
Even so, accelerating into Japanese Extension last year was very challenging for her.
“I didn’t expect it to be so difficult,” she said. “It required a whole different set of skills for the speaking monologue and essays. You take a step into a whole new world, and it made me see the world in a different way.
“I was asked questions about family relationships, my personal journey and my life. I had to build up words and phrases.”
The effort has had a flow on effect for her other subjects.
“It’s helped with analysing English,” Elizabeth said.
Elizabeth is also a keen student Mathematics Extension 1, Biology and English Advanced. She particularly enjoyed learning how the body fights disease, and taking part in a Biology excursion to Long Reef, taking samples and looking at other things in the water like a biologist.
Her favourite IGS activity of all time?
“Creating Dream Green Homes in Year 4.”
Elizabeth has been interested in architecture ever since, but with the rest of the HSC still ahead of her in 2026, it’s too soon to say where this talented and hard-working student will direct her future plans.
Best of luck, Elizabeth!
Read more about 2025 IGS HSC Highlights.
