Monbulk College Students refused to let the lockdown affect their final year, with one fifth of the 2020 Year 12 cohort receiving an ATAR of 80 or over and three students achieving a score of over 90.
Monbulk College Principal Margaret Uren said it is important to acknowledge that the ATAR score is not merely a percentage mark, it is a state-wide ranking.
“This means that to achieve an ATAR of 80 or over, our students have had to outperform 80% of students across the state of Victoria. Our students should be very proud of their results,” she said.
Student Liam Couvreur, who achieved an impressive ATAR of 97.95, was elated when he saw his score for the first time. Liam has plans to study Arts/Science at Monash University.
Elaine Daw received an ATAR of 89.00 and will be completing a Biomedical Science and Science double degree at Monash University also.
“I was really happy that I was able to receive and accept an offer for my top preference, especially after all the academic challenges online learning presented the class of 2020,” Ms Daw said.
Year 12 Team Leader Natalie Andrews said “the class of 2020 should be very proud of their dedication and enthusiasm which got them through their final year successfully”.
“We wish the graduates of 2020 all the best for the future,” Ms Andrews said.
The rest of the 2020 graduates will be taking on a broad variety of tertiary courses, including Engineering at Monash University, Exercise and Sport Science at Deakin University, Paramedicine at Australian Catholic University and Film and Television at Swinburne University of Technology.
Celebrations at Monbulk College in 2020 continued with two talented and creative students having their work shortlisted for the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority Season of Excellence, 2021.
The Season of Excellence is an annual exhibition showcasing exceptional senior secondary student work from Victorian schools. It includes the Top Arts exhibition showcasing student work from VCE Art and Studio Arts, as well as Top Designs – a display of VCE and VET Creative Digital Media.
Previous Year 12 Jackson Trundle, who achieved an ATAR of 91, was shortlisted for Top Arts with his photographic series, The Abstract Nature of Thoughts.
Yasmin Page of Year 11 made it all the way to the final selection for Top Designs with her personal portfolio website, displaying some her artwork.
Technology Learning Area Leader Narelle Gleeson said Top Arts and Top Designs continue to be a benchmark of Victoria’s young designers and artists, highlighting their talent as well as a celebration of their achievement.
“It demonstrates what young people can achieve when that creativity is nurtured and encouraged,” she said.
Last year also brought exciting news for Year 7 students, Jorge and Paige, who in Term 4 were selected by the Department of Education for the 2020 Victorian High Achievers Program (VHAP).
The VHAP program was a 10-week program allowing for significant extension in English and Mathematics. The program culminated in a masterclass with like-minded students from around Victoria.
“It was really great to have an opportunity to extend myself in English – the classes were really fun and I learnt a lot,” says Paige.
“It was great to work with other students on a similar level – we practised creative writing with a focus on dystopian literature,” she said.
Further to this, over 50 Monbulk students identified as working 12 months above the expected level have been selected to participate in the Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series across a variety of subjects including English, Maths, Art, Music, Physics and Japanese.
