Meet past students who started their journey through the Gifted and Talented program.
Could your child's journey start here?
Shaun Tan
Gifted and Talented program 1987 to 1991
Academy Award-winning Shaun Tan.
Academy Award–winning illustrator and author Shaun Tan is one of Balcatta Senior High School’s most celebrated alumni. A graduate of the Gifted and Talented Visual Art Program, Shaun developed his passion for storytelling, drawing and surreal worlds during his school years, often sketching dinosaurs, robots and imagined landscapes.
Shaun in year 8 with his artwork at Balcatta Senior High School.
Since publishing his first illustration in Aurealis magazine in 1990, Shaun has become internationally renowned for works such as The Red Tree, Tales from Outer Suburbia and The Arrival, which earned multiple national and international awards. In 2011, he won an Academy Award for the animated short The Lost Thing and received the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for his contribution to children’s literature.
Shaun continues to inspire young creatives and remains a proud ambassador for Balcatta Senior High School.
Discover Shaun’s insights into his Gifted and Talented journey.
Anish Badgeri
Gifted and Talented program, 2008 to 2012
Anish named recipient of the new Geoff Gallop John Monash Scholarship.
Anish Badgeri is a passionate education leader committed to helping every student reach their potential. After completing the Gifted and Talented Program at Perth Modern School, he went on to become a Fogarty Scholar, New Colombo Plan Scholar and Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) graduate from UWA.
Anish as head boy at Perth Modern School.
Currently Head of Learning Community at Shenton College, Anish has been recognised nationally for his advocacy for equity and LGBTQIA+ inclusion in education.
In 2025, he was named a John Monash Scholar and will pursue a Master of Education Leadership at University College London to help shape future teacher workforce solutions in Australia.
Anish said when he returns to Western Australia he wants to make an impact in the not-for-profit and policy spheres by supporting and mentoring young and diverse early career teachers and advocating for better public perceptions towards the profession.
Caitlin Revell
Gifted and Talented program, 2012 to 2016
Caitlin on her graduation day.
As a student in the Gifted and Talented program, Caitlin Revell built the strong academic foundations that helped her excel in her final years of school. She achieved a 99.95 ATAR and the Beazley Medal WACE in 2016 and is now a mechanical engineer with Woodside Energy.
Caitlin said that when she was completing her ATAR, she didn’t have a particular goal in mind she simply aimed to do the best she could.
Caitlin when she was a student at Perth Modern School.
“By no means do I think I’m the smartest person in the cohort at all. I think I was just very determined and persistent to understand everything and cover all bases and I wasn’t really satisfied with myself unless I understood everything as much as possible,” she says.
With a keen interest in science and understanding how the world works, Caitlin went on to complete a Bachelor of Science with a double degree in engineering and physics, followed by a Master of Mechanical Engineering at UWA. She says her ATAR score gave her an advantage.
“It’s given me a fair few opportunities as well in terms of scholarships, public speaking opportunities, getting to meet like-minded peers throughout university,” she says.
Caitlin plans to continue her work as an engineer and apply her skills to renewable energy solutions.
Millie Muroi
Gifted and Talented program, 2013 to 2018
Millie in front of Parliament House in Canberra.
Millie completed the Gifted and Talented program at Perth Modern School before studying English and Economics at university. She began her career as a graduate economist at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA. Millie enjoyed the people she worked with and the chance to explore what was happening across Western Australia’s business landscape.
Millie on her last day at Perth Modern School.
Her break came about six months later when Millie landed a trainee reporter position at the Sydney Morning Herald. In that role, she covered everything from breaking news and sport to culture and major court decisions.
Millie now works in Canberra as a business writer for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. She reports on banks and financial services and writes a regular column.
Declan Daines
Gifted and Talented program 2015 to 2020
Declan and a fellow dancer posing at the Queensland Ballet.
Declan a professional dancer, started his journey in the Gifted and Talented program at John Curtin College of the Arts (JCCA).
Declan performing on stage.
He then moved to Melbourne, where he joined The Australian Ballet School, graduating in 2024. Declan is now part of the Queensland Ballet’s Jette Parker Young Artist Program
Declan said that the Gifted and Talented program at JCCA gave him the essential tools and training to achieve his career goals.
Applications for the Gifted and Talented program 2027 intake are now open.
Last reviewed 11 November 2025