As it happened VCE results 2024: Victorian Year 12 students receive results, ATARS

That’s all folks.

Thank you for joining The Age’s live blog for the 2024 VCE results.

Want to keep a record of the results? The Age has printed liftouts in today’s and tomorrow’s newspapers for parents and students.

Have a lovely night.

The University of Melbourne has offered scholarships to almost 1600 year 12 students today, including its flagship Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarships and the Narrm Scholarships.

The Melbourne Chancellor’s Scholarship is offered to applicants who achieve an ATAR or equivalent of 99.9 or above, bachelor of music applicants who achieve an ATAR or equivalent of 99.85 or above and Indigenous students who gained an ATAR of 90.00 or above.

University of Melbourne chancellor’s scholars.

It provides fee remissions and a guaranteed place in sought-after graduate programs, including the doctor of medicine and juris doctor (law), for high-achieving students who meet the prerequisite course and entry requirements.

Scholars also receive an annual allowance for the duration of their undergraduate studies and the offer of a Melbourne Global Scholars Award of up to $2500 to study overseas.

The Narrm Scholarship Program is offered to students who have traditionally faced barriers to tertiary study, providing financial support throughout their studies.

Interim vice-chancellor Nicola Phillips said the university was excited to welcome the intake of “uniquely talented and inspiring young scholars”.

St Albans Secondary College principal Craig Jennings is “very happy” with his school’s results, with this year’s median study score of 31 on par with last year.

“We have had some really pleasing results from kids who have faced a lot of difficulties throughout the past few years,” he said.

“Some faced significant hurdles, and were able to achieve excellent results. As a cohort they worked very hard and achieved accordingly.”

St Albans dux, Kelly Lam, received an almost perfect ATAR of 99.80, with three study scores over 50.

Overall, the school’s median ATAR was 74 and median study score was 31. Of the 257 year 12 students, 30 students received ATARs above 90, with three of them above 99.

De La Salle College principal Peter Houlihan has congratulated the cohort on their “remarkable” VCE results.

Over 32 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of 80 or higher and 12.1 per cent achieved an ATAR of 90 or above.

College dux Joseph Valcanas received an ATAR of 98.35, including a perfect study score of 50 in Geography. He intends to pursue Science/Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne.

A future in the biomedical sciences beckons for Footscray High School dux Ava Harpur.

Ava achieved an outstanding ATAR of 97.45 and studied English Language, Chemistry, Physics and Specialist Mathematics this year, after completing Biology and Mathematical Methods in Year 11.

Ava said she enjoyed several of her VCE classes, particularly chemistry. “I’m just thankful for my Year 12 teachers because they all did a really good job,” she said.

Three other students at Footscray High School also received ATARs over 95.30, while 33 students received individual study scores of 40 or above.

Acting executive principal Jill English said this year’s students “achieved success and achieved at the very highest level across all studies”.

“At Footscray High School, our learning community supports every student to combine their interests and passions with their studies, encouraging and inspiring students to pursue the career of their dreams.”

Of this year’s graduating students, 42 per cent achieved ATARs of 70 or above, placing them in the top 30 per cent of the state.

The school’s median study score was 29 – consistent with previous years.

Daylesford College student Scout Kinnear has topped the school with a 97.55 ATAR.

Principal Steve MacPhail said the Daylesford dux and school captain was currently travelling in Indonesia.

“I’m looking forward to calling him at a reasonable time to congratulate him personally,” he said.

MacPhail congratulated the entire graduating cohort for achieving a median study score of 29 – one of the school’s highest median scores in the past decade.

“I want to congratulate all our year 12 students who have worked incredibly hard to achieve their best. We had four students with study scores in the 40s and our highest was 47 in physical education.”

Greater Shepparton Secondary College student Matthew Hanns has achieved something pretty unique, winning dux for the second time in two years.

Mathew Hanns has won dux twice.

Matthew completed a three-year VCE pathway and received an ATAR of 97.40 in 2023 and an ATAR of 98.1 in 2024.

Next year, Matthew is hoping to attend Monash University or the Australian National University in Canberra, undertaking a degree in Science Research, or Engineering.

GSSC executive principal Barbara O’Brien, congratulated Matthew on his results.

“We could not be more proud of this young man and we feel honoured to have been part of his journey,” she said.

“Dux twice is a unique achievement, but it is reflective of the work Matthew has put in and the persistence he has shown, to continually improve and reach his goals.

At Coburg High, the government school chosen by Education Minister Ben Carroll for this year’s results-day photo-op, staff and students were celebrating a VCE median study score of 30, despite the school being in just its ninth year of operation.

Principal Brent Houghton told The Age that he was expecting the median ATAR at Coburg to be well into the very respectable 70s, with 25 students scoring in the 90s, including dux Dani McIntosh with her perfect 99.55.

Coburg High School principal Brent Houghton with this year’s dux, Dani McIntosh, who scored 99.55.Credit: Chris Riordan

“There’s four words, two phrases – hard work and high expectations,” Houghton said.

“We have processes to have high attendance in VCE. If you’re in class you’ve got the best opportunity to learn.”

Toorak College’s year 12 cohort achieved a median ATAR of 86.5, with 35 per cent of students receiving ATARS over 90.

Dux went to Amelia Bishop, with an ATAR of 99.3 and two perfect scores of 50 in both English and Literature

Toorak College students.

Principal Mrs Kristy Kendall said she was incredibly proud of the class.

“We are confident their legacy will continue to inspire those who follow in their footsteps at Toorak College,” she said.

“They are aware of the many generations who have stood behind them and they now boldly face their future.”

McClelland College VCE Vocational Major student and Instagram influencer Alyssa Vella is blazing a trail as a tradie.

Alyssa, who is seven weeks into a full-time apprenticeship in cabinet making, estimates that opting for this pathway has put her on a fast track.

“It’s a head start of two or three years on where I would have (otherwise) been,” says the 17-year-old.

She’s worked hard to get where she is, attending school two days a week, TAFE one day a week, and working two different placements – as well as cultivating a social media following of more than 100,000 people.

McClelland College VCE Vocational Major student and Instagram influencer Alyssa Vella.

Her placements over the past two years have included a timber mill called Aim Building Group in Cranbourne West, Noble Country Furniture in Dandenong, and Able Cabinets in Dandenong South.

She is now pursuing her full-time apprenticeship at TLD Kitchens where she is already impressing colleagues with her craftsmanship.

Alyssa says her family initially had some misgivings about what might be perceived as an unusual career choice.

“I think they were worried it might be difficult, or I might get bullied, but when I actually went into the industry, I wasn’t the only girl, and all the men were really accepting.”

Her principal Laura Spence says Alyssa is an example of using social media in a beneficial way.

“This entrepreneurial endeavour has not only provided Alyssa with a unique skill set but also allowed her to merge her social media presence with her industry work,” she says.

“Alyssa’s dedication to promoting trades to young women, coupled with her ability to navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with being a woman in this field, has positioned her as a role model.”