At our recent AGM, we acknowledged the outstanding achievements of students who were supported with our hearing and vision services at school through our School Support Service.

Jack Fresta, who recently completed the International Baccalaureate (IB) at Trinity Grammar School, took away two prizes for his outstanding IB score—the Garfield and Norma Barwick Prize, and the ClearaSound Prize. Jack has bilateral hearing loss and wears cochlear implants. He has received school support from NextSense since he was in primary school and his Special Education Consultant Halina worked with Jack and his teachers to make sure he had the confidence to achieve his goals and overcome any challenges along the way.

Jack’s IB score converts to an ATAR of 91.7. He is now studying Business and Law at University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and is very excited about the possibilities for his future, including the prospect of living and working overseas.

Ruby Waterlow Heuston was named the Dr Frederick Gregory-Roberts Prize winner for 2024 for a student assisted by our School Support Service (Vision) who has achieved the most outstanding performance in the Higher School Certificate (HSC). Ruby is blind and received school support through NextSense. She worked closely with her teacher Pranitha, who she says taught her the power of her voice. Pranitha’s invaluable guidance during Ruby’s school years contributed to her success, and included practical advice such as how to break down questions and answer succinctly.

Ruby completed her HSC at St Vincent’s College Potts Point and achieved an ATAR score of 71.5. She has gained a coveted place at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where she is completing a Bachelor of Music. In future she plans to perform and write as an artist and promote disability awareness through her art.

We spoke to Jack and Ruby after our recent AGM to find out what worked well for them in their final year of school and how NextSense supported them in the classroom and beyond. Watch the videos below to find out what they had to say.

Our specialist teachers conduct regular classroom visits to students who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have low vision and attend mainstream, independent schools. They provide advice and assessment on aids and assistive technology, and train and develop teachers so they can better support children in the classroom.