MELBOURNE - In the last issue of In Classe, we spoke with two of this year’s Premier’s VCE Award winners, the accolade given to top-performing students who excelled in last year’s VCE exams.
Three students were recognised for their efforts in Italian, one of whom was Roby Simeoni, a former Xavier College student and now an architecture student at The University of Melbourne.
Roby grew up in a family with a blend of cultures, but the Italian side had a strong presence thanks to his paternal grandparents and his father.
“Though we only spoke the language occasionally at home, tossing in a few words here and there,” he clarified.
From age eight to twelve, Roby attended Italian language classes on Saturday mornings.
“I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic,” he recalled with a smile, “because at that age, you don’t want to go to school on Saturdays too.
“I didn’t put much effort in, which is normal, but once I got past the stage of struggling to speak, it became a virtuous cycle where the more I learned, the more I wanted to study.”
Seeing early results motivated Roby to continue studying Italian and choose it as one of his subjects for the VCE.
“During Years 11 and 12, I focused especially on Italian, aiming to get a good grade,” Roby shared, knowing his result would contribute to his ATAR and get him into the university of his choice.
But his passion went beyond grades and grammar. It was a seed planted by his family that grew over time, nurtured by small gestures - like when his father introduced him to The Divine Comedy by Dante, reading passages from Inferno and translating them for him.
Roby’s creative sensibility helped him appreciate the artistic and cultural aspects of the language.
“When I went to the Venice Biennale, I felt really inspired,” he shared.
“Being immersed in the world of art and architecture is something special to me.
“In fact, I feel in some way Italian because I can appreciate history, culture and the beauty of life. It makes me feel connected to Italy.”
Roby’s connection to his Italian heritage deepened over time, helped by regular trips to Italy before COVID.
Mastering the language also helped break down the barrier between him and his extended family in Italy.
“I couldn’t communicate with my cousins, and it saddened me that I couldn’t have deeper conversations with people my age, exchanging opinions or feelings,” he said.
In his first year at university, Roby had to put Italian aside, but he plans to resume studying it.
He hopes to spend a year abroad at Ca’ Foscari University or the IUAV in Venice. “It would be a dream to work on international projects,” he revealed.
When Roby opened the letter confirming his Premier’s VCE Award, he immediately called his grandmother.
“She was over the moon! [The award ceremony] a great day,” he recalled.
“I sat with the other two students who won for Italian, and it was wonderful to share that excitement, our experiences with the language and our plans for the future.
“If I were to give younger students any advice, it would be to dedicate themselves, give it time, and try to immerse themselves in Italian culture.”
Through his sensitivity and reflective nature, Roby Simeoni has realised that knowing a second language offers “the great advantage of seeing things from a different perspective, allowing you to be more empathetic”.
