The college congratulates Year 12 student Amy Robinson, who has achieved a remarkable milestone in her writing journey, with her first article published in the Fleurieu Sun on Thursday, 4 September 2025.
Amy’s story, which appeared on page two, explored the role of phosphorous in South Australia’s current algal bloom – an environmental issue affecting almost a quarter of the state’s coastline. Determined to highlight a subject that truly matters to her community, Amy combined research, expert interviews and her own photography to create a balanced and impactful piece of journalism.
Her journey began when she spent two days at the Fleurieu Sun newsroom in Victor Harbor, shadowing journalists and experiencing the fast pace of a working press office. “I was most surprised by how many stories the team could produce in just one day,” Amy shared. Sitting in on the weekly editorial meeting, led by Editor Michael Simmons, Amy had the rare opportunity to select her own topic and was challenged to deliver her piece within a 500-word limit.
To bring her article to life, Amy conducted online research into the science of algal blooms, sought comment from marine ecology experts, and travelled to Brighton Beach to capture photographs of the bloom’s impact on local marine fauna. The most challenging part, Amy reflected, was ensuring her article “flowed smoothly and didn’t feel disjointed” – a skill she honed through determination and feedback from the newsroom team.
With her first byline now in print, Amy has developed a real passion for journalism. This October, she will continue her field experience by shadowing veteran broadcaster June Taylor at the Port Elliot Show, where she will participate in live interviews to camera.
Looking ahead, Amy dreams of a career in journalism, writing stories that “inform, educate and inspire social change.”
Originally from Yorkshire in the UK, Amy must become a permanent resident of Australia before she can commence tertiary studies, meaning that university is on hold until 2027. In the meantime, the college is proud to support Amy in gaining industry experience through connections with mentors such as Michael Simmons and June Taylor.
A passionate student of English and History, Amy is already building the foundation for a future career that combines her love of storytelling with her desire to make a difference.
We celebrate Amy’s outstanding achievement and look forward to following her journey as she pursues her dream of becoming a journalist.
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