By Bonny Burrows
Educators across Cardinia Shire couldn’t be prouder of their graduates following the release of the 2017 VCE results.
Students no doubt breathed a huge sigh of relief upon learning their final scores on Friday 15 December and many are now off on much-deserved holidays to mark the end of exams and 13 years of schooling.
So too are many of the teachers who worked tirelessly throughout the year, supporting the students through one of the most stressful times of their lives to date.
Locally, staff and students have been rewarded for their hard work.
Chairo Christian School Pakenham dux Esther Battersby awoke on 15 December to learn she had topped her class with an ATAR of 95.3.
Esther said she had found the VCE workload challenging, particularly in the busy times when she was also trying to maintain her other commitments, including her regular contributions to her church.
However, with the help of her teachers, Esther said she got through it – and couldn’t be happier.
“I’ve really appreciated my teachers and they’ve been so supportive. They never make it feel like it’s a burden to help me,” Esther said.
Principal Peter Wells said Esther had been a “superb” contributor to the Chairo school community.
“In addition to achieving strong results in Year 12, including a study score of 47 in English, Esther was involved in a range of extra-curricular activities. She completed eighth grade AMEB flute, was a member of the school band, and performed in our stage production of Mary Poppins,” Mr Wells said.
The principal also commended the hard work of all his graduating students and said he was proud his school had achieved a 100% completion rate.
“We are pleased to see our students graduating with many possibilities for further study, work and service,” Mr Wells said.
To the delight of headmaster Tony Sheumack, 20 Beaconhills College students received an ATAR of 90 or above and an impressive one third of all Pakenham and Berwick campus students exceeded scores of 80.
“We are proudly a community school that provides a huge diversity in VCE offerings – and the results reflect the quality of teaching and learning in so many different subject areas and student pathways,” Mr Sheumack said.
“These are wonderful results that really demonstrate the success of our ‘Learning that Matters’ program, one which best equips young people with the tools they need for their future lives – much more than just an ATAR.”
College dux was Berwick Campus student Madison Schenk with the top score of 97.8 and Pakenham campus dux was Russell Reader with 96.7.
Sister schools Berwick Grammar and St Margaret’s were proud of all their students, regardless of their score.
“While academic results are important, they are but part of a young person’s development,” Sue-Anne Lewis from the school’s community development office said.
“We are very proud of all our students – their academic results, social and community achievements and the difference they make to the lives of others.
“The class of 2017 has embodied Virtute et Labore, in that they have approached their studies and school life showing strength and effort.”
Dux for St Margaret’s School was Sophie Li with 99.85 and Kash Gaitely was dux of Berwick Grammar with 99.0.
At St Margaret’s School, 19 per cent of the VCE class achieved ATAR scores of more than 95 and at Berwick Grammar School nine per cent of students achieved an ATAR over 95, placing them in the top five per cent of the nation.
Kooweerup Secondary College’s dux was Chris Owen.
The Gazette did not receive VCE results from the other secondary schools across Cardinia Shire.
