The wait is over today, as almost 60,000 Victorian students receive their VCE results.
In 2023, 57,601 students graduated with their VCE – a completion rate of 97.4 per cent.
The release of the ATAR ranking marks the end of a nervous wait, with many students across the state hoping to receive the ATAR score needed to pave their way into the preferred degree.
For others who find out their ATAR doesn’t meet their expectations, the news may inspire a re-think of educational pathways to take them toward their hoped-for career.
Some of the state’s top rankings
At the selective state boys’ secondary school, Melbourne High School, Victoria’s top school has achieved three perfect ATAR scores of 99.5. 53 students – 14.7 per cent of the Year 12 cohort – have achieved an ATAR 99 or above.
Melbourne High School principal Dr Tony Mordini said he was “incredibly proud” of students’ efforts.
“The students have shown amazing dedication to their studies and worked really hard,” Dr Mordini said, adding that the cohort had risen above the significant disruption COVID had on their education in the early years of high school.
The class of 2023 at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School saw 23 students achieve an ATAR of 99 and above, with 15 perfect study scores of 50. Fourteen students are in the top 0.5 per cent of the state, scoring ATARs of 99.5 or higher. Four students at the co-educational private school – Kevin Nguyen, Chloe Petranis, Trixie Quach, and Louie Zhao – all achieved an ATAR of 99.95.
At prestigious independent boys’ school, Scotch College, Ronan Ahl’s impressive score of 99.95 sees him join the ranks of his two older brothers who also scored 99.95 within the last four years.
Mr Ahl’s results include a perfect 50 in chemistry, 47s in economics, English and specialist maths, and a 45 in Latin – plus he two 50s he already earned during Year 11 VCE in 2022. Mr Ahl’s results of three 50s altogether gives him the honour of being one of Victoria’s top performers.
“I’m filled with so much energy and shock at how today has turned out,” he said. “It’s such a milestone to graduate in year 12.”
STEM subjects feature in top scores
In regional Victoria, Iman Ali is proud to be one of Horsham Secondary College’s female students who is pursuing a pathway – and excelling – in maths and science.
The school dux received an ATAR of 98.2 after undertaking male-dominated classes including specialist maths. Ms Ali plans to study a Bachelor of Advanced Mathematics at UNSW.
Vermont Secondary College student Alex Lee is another VCE successs story and says he believes making time for his passion for woodwork, music and other extracurricular activities helped him cope with the busiest year of his educational life so far.
Mr Lee received an ATAR of 98.85 and puts him on track to study a Bachelor of Engineering at Monash University.
As his school’s 2023 School and House Captain, he says he developed his leadership skills by supporting and mentoring junior students to find their own passions.
He cites one of his secrets to a fantastic result was that he “aimed to get as much done in class with my teachers’ help as possible, so I could relax and enjoy my other passions outside of school to keep me motivated”.
Students in other states must wait
Victorian students are Australia’s first to receive ATAR results on Monday, 11 December. They’ll be followed by Tasmanian this Wednesday, then students in the ACT and NSW, who will receive their results this Thursday.
Queensland students will wait until Friday, followed by students in Western and South Australia and the Northern Territory, who won’t receive their ATAR until Monday, 18 December.
