“I’m stubborn, determined and resilient – but they’re good values to have when you’re trying to reach your goals,” said Ms Thompson, 18.

The former St Philip’s Christian College Port Stephens student’s refusal to give up on her Higher School Certificate (HSC) studies in the face of serious illness has earned her the 2017 Brother John Taylor Memorial Prize, which she received in Parliament House on Monday.

The award recognises students who have overcome significant adversity to achieve outstanding results.

“I was really shocked and a bit speechless when I got the call,” Ms Thompson said.

“My illness is invisible and I had tried to keep it private and personal, so to be recognised is a real honour.

“At the time I just dealt with it and tried not to make it a big deal, but now I look back and can’t believe I persevered through it all – I did not think I would get here. 

“There’s so much I went through and I don’t know why I talked it down.”

Ms Thompson grew up highly susceptible to catching colds and flus and was nine years old when she received a diagnosis of being deficient in immunoglobulin A. 

When she reached year nine, she developed a range of new symptoms. 

“I had 20 mouth ulcers at one time gaping with holes in them and couldn’t even talk, let alone do a speech for an assignment,” she said.

“I started getting pain in my joints [which was later found to be rheumatoid arthritis] and could not keep up with the other kids physically and academically – I often missed marks because I couldn’t write as much even though I had the knowledge there. I had chronic fatigue and cognitive fogginess.”

She told her teachers in year 11, when she started wearing wrist braces.

“I did not want them to think I was being lazy or slacking off, that was my worst fear,” she said. 

“I did not want anyone to think I was not trying hard or putting effort in.”

An immunologist told her in the middle of year 12 – after her trial exams – she had Behcets Syndrome, which causes blood vessel inflammation. 

“I was quite upset knowing I was living with a lifelong condition that had no cure, but at the same time I was relieved to know I was not just imagining it.”

She pushed through, writing study notes in dot points and napping after school when needed.

“I had to persevere, even though there were days I could not get out of bed.”

The school’s disability specialist helped her apply for special provisions and she secured a writer for her final exams, as well as rest breaks and more time to complete the papers.

Ms Thompson received an ATAR of 93.2 including bonus points and was offered a place to study a Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) at the University of Newcastle, which has arranged a van to take her between classes and encouraged her to use online course materials instead of heavier textbooks.

“I want to show students they can overcome hardships – they’re not barriers, just challenges to show how resilient you are.”