A Syrian refugee who didn’t speak English two years ago has duxed his school

A Syrian refugee who didn’t speak English two years ago has duxed his school.

Saad Al-Kassab missed two years of his schooling after fleeing the war-torn country, eventually arriving in Melbourne in 2014.

Two years on, he’s become dux of the Catholic Regional College in Sydenham after earning an ATAR of 96.65. 

Saad told Nick McCallum he learnt English by watching Parliament Question Time.

He said he’s grateful for the opportunity he’s been given in Australia and wishes some of his friends back home had been as lucky.

‘They were as good as me (at school), even better, so it makes me sad that they didn’t have the opportunity that I got,’ he said.

Saad will now study medicine so he can help others.

Click play to hear Saad’s story