Year 12 student’s best-possible start to university

When it comes to getting a Headstart on your university education, there’s no better way to do it than with a High Distinction.

Year 12 student and Deputy Head Prefect Nico Cacayorin has just completed his first semester of study at The University of Adelaide as part of the Headstart program.

Headstart allows students who have studied at least one Year 12 subject while in Year 11, and achieved A to A+ grades, the opportunity to take on university subjects during their final year of schooling.

Nico, Blackfriars’ only Headstart student in 2022, received a High Distinction for his first semester studies in Philosophy. The grade will go towards his ATAR.

“I’ve really enjoyed the university experience,” Nico said.

“I do enjoy opening myself up to new experiences. So, having that lecture/tutorial routine, instead of just having everyday classes, was quite a big jump, but at least it gave me the opportunity to be more independent in my learning.”

 He said that learning was “quite intense, right from the get-go”.

“We tackled free will, the idea of being free in your choices, or is it just a result of things leading up to it,” he said.

“We’ve also had to deal with human consciousness. So quite intense. It (Philosophy) is about the pursuit of understanding, the journey itself, rather than the conclusion that you reach.”

He recommended the Headstart program to other eligible Blackfriars students.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for the bright, academically focussed students; those who want to be challenged and are open to new experiences,” he said. “It’s a really good opportunity to expand your horizons … if you have this thirst for knowledge that you really want to satisfy, I really think Headstart is a good first step to pursuing that.”

He also paid tribute to Blackfriars teacher Peter Sage for encouraging his interest in Philosophy and for mentoring him through his university studies.

“Mr Sage said it (Philosophy) was the pursuit of wisdom. He said when you have medicine, or biology, it’s the study of life. Well, Philosophy, he said, was the study of everything. So, I guess, that really stuck with me. In my own time, I looked into it, and I just realised how expansive it is and how it can really open your mind to new experiences, new outlooks and perspectives.”

Nico has continued his university studies this semester, taking on Ethics and Morality. Post-Blackfriars, he hopes to study a Bachelor of Philosophy at The Australian National University, Canberra.