Thomas is an outstanding student and ambassador for the FPS programme both in school and in the wider community. Within the school, Thomas is invaluable as he inspires the other boys to rise to the challenge of FPS, ensuring that his fellow students complete all tasks on time and guiding them to produce work to the best of their ability. He makes the programmed desirable, despite its intensity of challenge, through his passion for it and through his success, which others wish to emulate. This year he has entered the Scenario Presentation section too and drawn with him a number of boys who might never normally have thought of attempting such a complex challenge; he has given the, the confidence to take the competition seriously and the skills to work through the technical aspects of the tasks, and by doing so has supported them morally, academically and in terms of their personal academic growth.
At state level, Thomas offers training to teachers throughout South Australia and I am regularly stopped by teachers at State Conference for English and Gifted and Talented Education to talk further about hime and the FPS program.
At National level, Thomas has won gold medals on numerous occasions and attended all Finals whenever possible. This year his Writing Scenario came 2nd in the world; an outstanding achievement and he was invited to write an article for Future Talk sharing his secrets for success.
Thomas is a truly outstanding student who loves the FPS programme passoinately and is a wonderful ambassador for a wonderful programme.
Emily Dirckze - NSW
By the middle of the year in Year 11, Emily's record in, and contribution to, the Future Problem Solving Program was sufficient for her to be declared "runner up" for the Torrance Award in New South Wales. She had been an overseas global issues and scenario competitor, and participator in three components of the program at national finals; and she had given support and encouragement to students and teachers in three schools including her own over several years. Since then her achievements have continued. Her story, "The Hope of the Hopeless", was placed 3rd in the National Scenario Writing Competition in 2008 and went on to receive 3rd Place internationally in 2009. She also became the inaugural FPSPI Scholarship winner in 2009 for her dedication and contribution to FPS. Since August of 2008 Emily has contributed to the program by evaluating both Global Issues booklets and scenarios at national level, including at the 2008 Finals. During 2009 Emily has been the assistant coach of a Year 8 team and a mentor to a new teacher coach. In this capacity Emily has been completely reliable and committed. Additionally she has been a supportive critical friend to new scenario writers with whom she has been prepared to share the knowledge and experience gained through her years of writing and competing in this component of FPS. Emily has been an outstanding ambassador for Future Problem Solving at school, national and international levels. It is without hesitation that I strongly recommend her for the 2009 Torrance Award for a NSW student.
2008
Scott Marsh - NSW
Scott's committment and loyalty to the FPS program throughout his years of involvement has been impressive. As well as being a booklet team member, Scott has regularly entered the Scenario Writing competition, and was a place-getter in 2002, 2004 and 2006. His scenarios have also been submitted to IC for evaluation on three occasions, and he has scored top 8 places in each of those years. His confidence in the value of the program has never wavered, and he has been a wonderful ambassador for the program in our school. The Middle (Year 7) team he assisted in coaching in 2005 reached the national finals, and since then he has made himself available to all junior secondary teams as a mentor and advisor. After a member of his own team left the school in 2006, Scott continued to support FPS through his association with the younger teams and students. Even in 2008, with the pressures of the HSC as a Year 12 student, he has volunteered to attend holiday study days to assist in the preparation of the teams for the Qualifying Problem. He has also shared his own IC experiences with our international teams in 2007 and 2008, and has provided valuable advice for these groups. Scott credits FPS with the ability to create a group of young adults who are capable of tackling the problems of the world, through their experiences in the program. I regard Scott as one of these young adults.
Emma Phillpotts - QLD
Emma has been committed to FPS and has been instrumental in its inclusion in the school program and keeping it alive. She was sucessful in 2007 as a state finalist. In 2008, Emma attended training sessions organised by FPS so as to facilitate her involvement as a member of the Year 9 and 10 school team. Emma has also assisted in running sessions for the Year 9 team. She has been a inspiration to both her Year level and the Year 9 group in her knowldge of FPS and her ability to communicate at their level. Emma posesses a flair for FPS in her ability to analyse questions in a logical manner. She would be a wonderful ambassador for FPS as she is motivated to improve her understanding whilst helping others.
2007
Alyssa Robinson - NSW
Alyssa has been passionate about FPS since she started it in Year 7. Now in Year 12 she is often relied on to speak at assembly and spread the word in other ways. With other students in Year 11 she helped coach students at Blacktown Girls High School and St Benedict College. Alone she prepared a news letter and website to publicise FPS. Alyssa has displayed a collaborative, responsible nature while working with other student in the program. While she is intelligent and an analytical thinker she is prepared to listen to others and learn from them. She has shown herself to be a courteous and friendly young woman. She has initative and a positvie attitude.
Jessica Steele - NSW
Jessica is an excellent ambassador for the Future Problem Solving Program. She has been involved in FPS since she was in the Junior Division and has maintained her interest and commitment through her secondary school years. Jessica qualified as a booket evaluator early in 2006 and attended the National Finals in 2006 as a evaluator. She is an extremely competent and intelligent evaluator and has also used her skills and experience to assist teams within the school. During 2007, Jessica has coached a Year 7 team and also mentored the TIGS team which attended IC, and won the Middle Division in 2007. Her contribution to their preparation was very important. Jessica credits FPS with the realisation of skills which go beyond the program and permeate all learning and research. These are the attributes which involvement in the program seeks to provide for all our students, and therefore I consider Jessica to be a worthy recipient of this award as she exemplifies the goals which, as a coach, I woukd hope that all students strive to achieve.
Lindon Roberts - WA
Lindon has sustained involvement in the Future Problem Solving Program for the past eight years at a very high level. His peer coaching of less able teams has been particularly appreciated. He is quietly humble in working with others and has been strong in supporting the National Finals planning. He posses a fine intellect and knows the FPS process very well. Being an evaluaor has also sharpened his skills. He is very worthy of this award and would be a great ambassador for the program in the Future.
Neil Thomas - WA
Neil has been involved in the Future Problem Solving Program at Wesley College for seven years. In that time he has been part of teams which have attended the National Finals several times and has also attened the IC in Kentucky USA in 2004. Neil has also qualified as a national evaluator and trained coach. His strengths in the program involve his scrupulous preparation for the competition in his research and attention to detail in developing actions plans. He is a strong member of the team and has been integral in maintaining the FPS momentum at Wesley College.
2006
Johannes Chan - WA
Johannes has been the leader within the school in carrying forward the impetus to put forward the application for the Nationals to be held in WA in 2007. He has lead the six other Year 11 students into attending the Wyvern Centre during free sessions in order to progress the application further. He has regularly organised meetings to discuss further actions that are needed. Most spectacularly he has put together the WA brochure which was distributed earlier to State Convenors regarding the Nationals. He has also carried out the feasibility studies regarding facilities and put these together into the more comprehensive report which has recently been distributed.
Kathleen Champ - NSW
Kate has been involved in Future Problem Solving since she entered high school. Her earliest success came when, as a Year 7 student, she was placed 3rd in the 2001 Middle Scenario Writing Competition. After working in a number of different booklet teams Kate finally had a winning combination as a Year 10 student in 2004 when her team won the Senior Division of the competition at National Finals. The team competed at IC in 2005 without success, but Kate decided to try again as an individual competitor. After winning the Senior Individual Booklet competition at National Finals in 2005, Kate went on to win the same division at IC in 2006 and returned to school to be hailed as a ‘World Champ'. Kate's dedication to the FPSP has been reflected in her contribution to evaluation, a task she qualified to do while still a Year 9 student, and her willingness to help coach other teams and mentor teachers new to the program. Kate has made a considerable contribution to Future Problem Solving at both school and national levels.
2005
Tristan Arnold - NSW
Tristan has made a great contribution to FPS at National, State and school level, He attended the last NSW State Committee meeting and has made positive suggestions about the forthcoming National Finals which again will be held at Loreto Normanhurst. At the school level, he has coached and mentored younger students, and new students in the programme. He has also generously given his time to developing practice scenarios which have been used by our own school teams, and other teams in NSW prior to qualfiying and national final competition. Tristan is a well-regarded evaluator in both booklet and scenario competition. He has evaluated in the Booklet Competition at National Finals in both 2003 and 2004, showing his skill and experience, even though still a school student. He assisted at these two National Finals as Photographer, office and computer assistant and general gopher - and performed all tasks with supreme efficiency. Tristan is a great ambassador for the Future Problem Solving Program - he is passionate about it and willingly shares his knowledge and expertise with others.
Simon Casinader - VIC
Simon is a current year 12 student at Caulfield Grammar School and has been a member of the Future Problem Solving school team for the last four years. Simon's involvement in the FPS Programme has shown a dedication not only to his individual team but more significantly to the school FPS Programme. Simon was in Year 8 when the school first offered Future Problem Solving as part of the Talent Development Program and his enthusiasm for the program was obvious from the first "expression of interest" form he was asked to complete. Throughout his time in the programme has has given unselfishly of his time. He has coached Middle Year teams, encourages others to join the programme through speaking at Middle Years assemblies and co-writing articles for the school newsletter, assisted at State Information Days and undertaken training as an evaluator. He was instrumental in organising three other students to join him in training as evaluators; all four students are now Victorian Evaluators. Simon's knowledge of the FPS Programme is outstanding and his contribution to his team success in reaching the 2003 and 2004 National Finals has been significant. Simon is a valued team member and an outstanding ambassador for the FPS Programme.
Stephen Barrett - WA
Stephen Barrett (principal nominee) on behalf of his Senior team and FPS Committee members Dustin Stuart, Simon Treadgold and Peter Anthonisz. It is impossible to single out one student as more worthy of the award than the others, and would appreciate Stephen Barrett as accepting the award on behalf of his team. Stephen is an inaugural member of the Western Australian Future Problem Solving Committee and has contributed to and attended regular committee meetings. He has attained national Coaching status in 2004. During the training Stephen spoke to the teachers at the course regarding the value of the program. He received strong acclaim for this presentation. He also attained national Evaluator status in 2004 after submitting a trial evaluation booklet. During this state wide Evaluator training Stephen assisted in training teachers in the program and was commended for his guidance by the teachers attending the course. He has assisted in organising and promoting FPS at the State Information Day in May 2005. He has also assisted in creating a Key Tips advice booklet which has been published on the website and assisted in promoting WA for consideration for the FPS Nationals in 2007.
Youth Awards
