MEET OUR ATAR STARS
Hard work pays off as high scorers drive a 20-year best
VCE results are in and The Geelong College has come out on top, recording its highest results in almost 20 years.
The region’s top two VCE students, Tom Yang and Molly McLaughlin, graduated from The Geelong College with impressive Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATAR) of 99.9 and 99.8 respectively.
Statewide, 47,450 students received their ATAR from 7am yesterday, with girls achieving an average ATAR of 66.25 and boys scoring an average of 63.70.
Belmont High School was among the region’s top-performing schools, with student Sam Nolan recording a 98.85 ATAR. Jake Nankervis of Grovedale Secondary College scored 96.75, while Geelong High School’s Zoe Jensz was the school’s dux with a 91 ATAR.
Belmont High School principal Sandra Eglezos said 21 of the school’s 168 Year 12 students achieved an ATAR of 90 or higher, while eight students received an ATAR above 95.
“We develop really strong relationship with our students. They feel committed and confident to achieve their best,” Ms Eglezos said.
More than 15 per cent of VCE students at Kardinia International College scored an ATAR above 90, with 34 per cent receiving an ATAR of 80 or higher.
Christian College Geelong captain Cameron Chandler was the school’s dux with an ATAR of 99.3.
Overall, 14 per cent of Christian College students received an ATAR above 90 and nearly 30 per cent of students received an ATAR above 80.
Ten per cent of St Joseph’s College students achieved study scores of 40 or above, while 6.9 per cent of students received an ATAR above 90.
St Joseph’s College dux Michael Bongiorno said a combination of nerves and jet-lag left him unable to sleep until 4am yesterday morning. The aspiring doctor said his score of 99.55 was reflective of three years of concentration and hard work.
The Geelong College recorded the highest number of students with ATARs above 99. Six students re- ceived an ATAR above 99, while 39.4 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or higher; 19.1 per cent of students received study scores of 40 or higher, while five Geelong College students scored perfect subject scores of 50.
Principal Peter Miller said the results were the strongest recorded since 1998.
“The results really are excellent and they are well deserved. This outstanding group of students have worked hard individually and been guided by wonderful teachers,” Dr Miller said.
School and region dux Tom Yang studied biology, further mathematics, specialist maths, maths methods, psychology, English as an additional language, Chinese and chemistry. He achieved a perfect 50 in further maths, two 49s, one 48 and one 47 to achieve a 99.9 ATAR.
Tom was born in China and moved to Australia with his family when he was 11, speaking very little English.
“Getting my score was unbelievable; I really didn’t expect to get an ATAR that high,” Tom said.
The high achiever’s exciting news was topped off with an unexpected offer of a Chancellor’s scholarship from The University of Melbourne.
“I hope to study science next year and see where it takes me,” Tom said.
Molly McLaughlin hopes her impressive 99.8 ATAR will help her secure a place studying medicine at Monash University. The school prefect said ensuring she maintained a balance between studying and enjoying social activities was one of the secrets to her success.
“I’d always make sure that by 9pm I’d switch off and take a break,” Molly said.
Sacred Heart College high achievers Gemma Ruffin (98) and Abbey Lynch (97.7) said their high scores proved hard work does pay off.
Principal Anna Negro congratulated the girls, dux Emma Riley (98.45) and the college’s Year 12 cohort for their dedication to their studies: 15.2 per cent of the college’s students received an ATAR of 90 or higher, while 44.5 an achieved an ATAR above 80.
At Geelong Grammar School, 142 of 143 candidates received their VCE, with a median ATAR of 72.7.