During the summer holidays, I had the privilege of attending the Informatics School of Excellence, representing my College and state. I'm really thankful to Concordia College for supporting and encouraging me to participate in the Australian Informatics Olympiad (AIO), which serves as the selection competition for this program. Through the AIO, I was honoured to receive a gold award and to be recognised as 'Best in Year 9' in South Australia. These are some achievements that I could only have dreamed of without the support from the College. I would also like to give a special thanks to Mr McCusker, Mr Nicola, Mrs Rieger, Mr Egan and Mr Smart for their guidance and motivation throughout this journey.

The Informatics School of Excellence is a nine-day intensive program for high-achieving students, bringing together passionate individuals from across Australia to develop advanced skills in computer science, problem-solving and competitive programming. During the program, tutors from Australian Maths Trust (AMT) introduced us to a range of algorithmic concepts, such as dynamic programming, graph theory, and techniques to optimise code for greater efficiency. The training was intensive and challenging, but it was also extremely beneficial. It made me think more logically, write code more efficiently and with better conventions, and become more persistent when dealing with complex problems.

Beyond the skills I gained, the experience itself was truly memorable. The flight, accommodation, and meals were all well-organised, which made the camp comfortable and enjoyable. Being surrounded by some of the most talented informatics students in Australia built my confidence and motivated me to push my limits and excel further. I have also developed my ability to stay calm and think analytically under time pressure. These are all qualities that will serve me well in my future competitions and studies.

This experience has strengthened my passion for informatics and competitive programming and encouraged me to continue striving for excellence. I am extremely grateful for the support from my school and the opportunity to participate in this program. I look forward to applying the skills, techniques and mindset that I developed during the camp in future competitions and academic pursuits.

I hope that by sharing this experience, more students will feel encouraged to step outside of their comfort zones and pursue opportunities in fields that they are passionate about—whether it’s computer science, mathematics, sport, public speaking, science or the arts. You can never get achievements like this without trying it out in the first place. With dedication, perseverance and the support from our school community, anything is possible. I encourage everyone to challenge themselves, take initiative and work toward their own goals.

Jacob 10HLEW