When Simon Matar moved to Australia with his family from London two years ago, a friend recommended his family investigate IGS as a great place to finish his secondary education.
The keen percussionist focused on the drums has been nominated for HSC Music Performance Showcase ENCORE.
He was also awarded first place in French Extension at IGS Speech Night 2025.
Simon loved the IGS website, loved its proximity to the city, enjoyed the tour, enrolled, and has never looked back.
“It was very very welcoming, very very good,” Simon said. “My teachers were my teachers and also a support system if I needed them.”
He found Music at IGS “very accommodating”.
“I also learnt how to play the bongos and congas.”
“It was a very steep learning curve. You have to keep a kind of diary, analysing your soul. It was difficult for me to find challenging songs.”
For his performance, he chose a Led Zeppelin song with a good swing rhythm.
“I am interested in Spanish samba, so I added a bongo solo.”
With his ATAR of 83.65 and passion for music, Simon hopes to study a Bachelor of Arts degree at RMIT and to focus on the music industry.
His advice to younger students?
“If you do a lot of major works, stay on top of them. I did three.”
And for those undertaking Music Extension: “Pick songs you love, because you will be playing them for the whole year.”
Read more about 2025 IGS HSC Highlights.
