Ethan is Australia’s top geographer
Perth Modern School student Ethan Xu has been named the Australian winner for his year group in the Australian Geography Competition.
The Australian Geography Competition consists of multiple choice questions testing geographical knowledge and skills. More than 65,000 students Australia-wide entered the competition.
Ethan, 12, described the questions in the competition as “hard” especially the world-based ones based on maps.
“I read a lot of books which is where I get my knowledge from,” Ethan said.
“I wanted to do the best I could in the test but I was very shocked to find out from my teacher Mr McMahon at the school assembly I had come first in the whole of Australia.”
Ethan said “we all live on the land so [the environment] affects everyone and it’s important to learn about it.”
Kath Berg, the Competition’s national coordinator, said “The Competition aims to encourage student interest in geography and to reward student excellence.”
“Geography is such an important subject because it develops in students a holistic of the world around them, and their place in it,” said Ms Berg.
Principal of Perth Modern School Lois Joll said it was incredible achievement for Ethan to win the competition from all entries Australia wide.
“The school is very proud of Ethan and we look forward to seeing him grow his knowledge and skills in geography the years to come,” Ms Joll said.
