Jezzabelle
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The HSC graduate with a difference - he's only 15
Like most teenagers, there's nothing more Richard White enjoys in his spare time than watching movies or television, playing video games and hanging out with friends.
But the lanky physique and unassuming demeanour of this year 12 Kiama High School student belies his exceptional status, as one of the youngest students in the state to complete their Higher School Certificate.
Richard turned 15 less than two months ago, and by normal standards should be in his fourth term of year 9.
But after sitting for his final HSC exam in software design and development last Friday, Richard's school days are over.
Identified as gifted while still a toddler, he started school a year earlier than his peers, then leap-frogged his way through primary school. He is one of about 12,000 students across NSW who have been similarly accelerated.
"If I was still in year 9 I'd probably just be sitting there in class and falling asleep," he said. "By year 10, I'd be too lazy to study, maybe fall behind and fail."
Richard followed in the footsteps of his brother, Paul-James, who sat for HSC mathematics three years early.
Paul-James is now studying advanced maths at the University of Wollongong, the same course Richard hopes to begin next year, to satisfy his love of logic.
But the all-rounder also harbours an appetite for English literature, and has submitted his own short story for HSC English extension 2 - a work which examines the relationship between charity and social status which he describes as "Dickensian/ postmodernist" in style.
While his classmates are three years older, Richard believes there is little else that sets him apart socially. Only two of his friends have so far obtained their driver's licences - "we're all pretty laidback", he says.
The deputy principal of Kiama High School, Don Wilkinson, says Richard's maturity in appearance and personality has helped his smooth transition through school.
"Richard dresses and acts to his academic cohort more than his age cohort," he says.
"If we'd had concerns, we wouldn't have allowed this situation to develop."
With 1365 students, Kiama High is one of the state's largest regional secondary schools, and has previously achieved some outstanding HSC results, topping the state in subjects from Aboriginal studies to industrial technology.
Yet the school's facilities are less than state-of-the-art, with 11 demountables dotting the cramped grounds.
An ongoing building program has, however, delivered a new complex of 12 classrooms, and a three-storey sports, visual arts and staff building is in the final stages of planning.
What the school lacks in buildings, it makes up for in human resources, Mr Wilkinson said.
"We're well-resourced in terms of staff, and there's a great relationship between the school and the community."
Like most teenagers, there's nothing more Richard White enjoys in his spare time than watching movies or television, playing video games and hanging out with friends.
But the lanky physique and unassuming demeanour of this year 12 Kiama High School student belies his exceptional status, as one of the youngest students in the state to complete their Higher School Certificate.
Richard turned 15 less than two months ago, and by normal standards should be in his fourth term of year 9.
But after sitting for his final HSC exam in software design and development last Friday, Richard's school days are over.
Identified as gifted while still a toddler, he started school a year earlier than his peers, then leap-frogged his way through primary school. He is one of about 12,000 students across NSW who have been similarly accelerated.
"If I was still in year 9 I'd probably just be sitting there in class and falling asleep," he said. "By year 10, I'd be too lazy to study, maybe fall behind and fail."
Richard followed in the footsteps of his brother, Paul-James, who sat for HSC mathematics three years early.
Paul-James is now studying advanced maths at the University of Wollongong, the same course Richard hopes to begin next year, to satisfy his love of logic.
But the all-rounder also harbours an appetite for English literature, and has submitted his own short story for HSC English extension 2 - a work which examines the relationship between charity and social status which he describes as "Dickensian/ postmodernist" in style.
While his classmates are three years older, Richard believes there is little else that sets him apart socially. Only two of his friends have so far obtained their driver's licences - "we're all pretty laidback", he says.
The deputy principal of Kiama High School, Don Wilkinson, says Richard's maturity in appearance and personality has helped his smooth transition through school.
"Richard dresses and acts to his academic cohort more than his age cohort," he says.
"If we'd had concerns, we wouldn't have allowed this situation to develop."
With 1365 students, Kiama High is one of the state's largest regional secondary schools, and has previously achieved some outstanding HSC results, topping the state in subjects from Aboriginal studies to industrial technology.
Yet the school's facilities are less than state-of-the-art, with 11 demountables dotting the cramped grounds.
An ongoing building program has, however, delivered a new complex of 12 classrooms, and a three-storey sports, visual arts and staff building is in the final stages of planning.
What the school lacks in buildings, it makes up for in human resources, Mr Wilkinson said.
"We're well-resourced in terms of staff, and there's a great relationship between the school and the community."
