By Rowan Forster
The region’s top schools have been revealed – with one Berwick college joining Victoria’s elite masterclass of VCE high-achievers.
Nossal High School, on Clyde Road, ranked 20th state-wide for academic excellence.
The selective coeducational government school surpassed all other institutions in Casey and Cardinia.
With a cohort of 422 students undertaking Unit 3-4 subjects, the school’s median study score was 35.
More than 25 per cent of subject scores at Nossal High were above 40.
It was the first time that a local high school had broken inside the top 20 Victorian schools since 2015.
However, the school is just one of four across Victoria that only selects students who are of a high-achieving academic background.
The next most successful college, St Margaret’s School, with campuses in Berwick and Officer – came in 51st across Victoria.
Students notched a median study score of 34, with 17 per cent of subject results surpassing 40.
St Margaret’s and Berwick Grammar School principal Annette Rome was quick to praise the achievements of her students.
“The students have worked towards achieving their best in all they do both inside the classroom and beyond,” she said.
“They have played sport, musical instruments, debated and worked towards demonstrating leadership of self and others.
“Most importantly our senior students have endeavoured to be good citizens and role models for younger students and in the broader community.”
The leading school in Pakenham was Beaconhills College, coming in at 186th.
The median study score was 30, with five per cent of study scores hitting 40 and above.
While academic performance is considered to be the main gauge of a school’s success, the results come as a timely reminder that the ATAR is not “the be-all and end-all”.
Georgina Groves, who graduated in 2015 with an ATAR of 54, fell short of her desired result of 72 to undertake a Bachelor of Environmental Science.
However, after two years of studying in a related field, Ms Groves has now transferred into her dream course.
“At the time, you think it’s a disaster and you feel disappointed – but I wish I knew that there was always a way,” she said.
“Some people just don’t perform under exam environments, but there is always a way to get to your desired course.”
See how your school fared:
• Nossal High School, Berwick, ranked 20th in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 35 with 26.1 per cent of scores above 40.
• St Margaret’s School, Berwick and Officer, ranked 51th in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 34 with 17.2 per cent of scores above 40.
• Berwick Grammar School ranked 75th in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 33 with 10.9 per cent of scores above 40.
• Beaconhills College, Berwick, ranked 152nd in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 31 with 6.4 per cent of scores above 40.
• Beaconhills College, Pakenham, ranked 186th in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 30 with 5.4 per cent of scores above 40.
• St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield, ranked 188thth in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 30 with 5.3 per cent of scores above 40.
• Berwick Secondary College ranked 245th in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 29 with 3.8 per cent of scores above 40.
• Heritage College, Officer, ranked 251st in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 29 with 3.2 per cent of scores above 40.
• Kambrya College, Berwick ranked 253rd in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 29 with 3.1 per cent of scores above 40.
• Kooweerup Secondary College ranked 264th in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 29 with 2.5 per cent of scores above 40.
• Pakenham Secondary College ranked 378th in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 27 with 1.9 per cent of scores above 40.
• Lakeside Lutheran College, Pakenham, ranked 438th in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 26 with 0.6 per cent of scores above 40.
• Minaret College, Officer, ranked 466th in the state. It saw a median VCE score of 25 with 0.9 per cent of scores above 40.
