Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell has today presented Jayden Huynh from Randwick Boys High School with the prestigious Brother John Taylor Memorial Prize for overcoming significant hardship to attain academic excellence in the 2021 Higher School Certificate.

“I am always excited to celebrate and recognise the achievements of our incredible young people – students like Jayden who succeed in the face of adversity are truly inspiring,” Ms Mitchell said.

Despite significant challenges, Jayden’s success in the HSC in 2021 allowed him to follow his passions and undertake a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at UNSW.

Jayden’s love of mechanics developed years before, when he was granted a Starlight Foundation wish to meet world-famous British Motorsports racing driver Lewis Hamilton at the Australian Grand Prix

“That’s when I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I couldn’t do anything physical due to my haemophilia. I couldn’t race go-karts with other kids let alone hope to become a race car driver someday,” Jayden said.

“I realised though that I could get into the technical side of motorsports, so I spent my spare time learning about cars – how they’re built, how they handle, with the hope that one day, I could become a mechanical engineer.”

“I wish Jayden all the best for the future. I have incredible respect for his grit, determination and focus, to achieve such outstanding things at such a young age,” Ms Mitchell said.

To find out more about the award ceremony visit: https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/about/events/brother-john-taylor-prize