By Jed Lanyon
The long wait for the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) ATAR results is finally over for Year 12 students as they continue to plan their next steps in life after 13 years of education.
Some students in the Yarra Ranges matched it with the best of the best in the state, including Lilydale High School’s Tahlia Eastwood, who earned a 98.35, including a perfect 50 score in further mathematics.
Healesville High School Principal Allan Rennick told the Mail he was proud of his Year 12 students this year, who performed above the state average in previous years.
“The results that we got this year were really pleasing,” he said.
“We got a mean English study score of 29.91. The state-wide mean for the last six years has been around 28. So we were about almost two points above the state mean for English.
Healesville High School’s Jessica Forbes, received an 89.75 ATAR, including a 48.5 study score in German.
After learning her results and that she was the dux for Healesville High School, Jessica ran into the school’s receptionist, Barb, who was excited to hear the news.
“I ran into Barb at Coles and she was just an energizer bunny running up and down the aisles, it was a bit nuts,” Jessica said.
Jessica said she is glad to see the year out after suffering from a panic attack during reading time of her legal studies exam.
“I loved legal studies, but that exam was the worst thing to grace this Earth.”
Jessica said she plans to take a gap year to find work, move out of home and gain some independence.
“I’m definitely going to miss the support system I have with the teachers. I really don’t think I would have gotten through this year if it wasn’t for Ms Jackson and Ms Plunkett.”
Fellow Year 12 students Keely Farrow and Isabella Susigan achieved a score of 82.5 and 84.6, respectively.
Keely, who plans on studying criminology and psychological science, earned the school’s highest English marks with a study score of 40.
Isabella, who is looking forward to studying a Bachelor of Screen and Media, scored a 41 in studio art.
Both students admitted they have found the transition from high school to be unusual so far.
“I like the structure. It’s weird not coming to school every day. Like I just work and play with my dog now, that’s about it,” Keely said.
“I won’t miss the pressure. It was a very stressful year. On top of all the study you have to do, everyone has different things going on so it’s really hard to try and manage that and still do the best you can.”
Mr Rennick said he was proud of what the girls achieved over the year, while Isabella said that the high school had a strong group of Year 12 students.
“We’re a good year level in that way, I think. We were all mostly motivated,” she said.
Upper Yarra Secondary College students Monique Lee, Aidan Tsoumbakos, Nikita Hedges, Jamin Hamnett, Amy Knight and Justin Robinson made up the list of high achievers for their school.
