Victoria’s International Baccalaureate students celebrate their results

The wait is over for hundreds of Victorian International Baccalaureate students, who have finally received their results.

Cassandra Lim, 17, Tharushi Walisinghe, 18, and Ellie Lin, 17, received perfect scores in their International Baccalaureate. Picture: Nicole Cleary

More than two weeks after their VCE counterparts got their results, 670 International Baccalaureate students in Victoria have learnt their fate.

The niche senior year program is offered at elite private schools and a handful of government schools, such as Albert Park College.

The highest possible score is 45, which translates to a notional ATAR of 99.95.

Nationally, 2644 students received their IB results.

Students at some of Victoria’s most prestigious private girls schools were on Monday celebrating a slew of perfect results, with eight students at Burwood’s Presbyterian Ladies’ College scoring a 45.

PLC principal Ms Cheryl Penberthy said she was delighted with the school’s results.

“It is about the students’ work ethic and love of learning over the years of studying that really sustained them,” she said.

She said the students supported each other and were supported by a strong teaching team.

About a quarter of the school’s students undertake the IB.

Of the 49 students completing the IB at Methodist Ladies’ College (MLC) in Kew, two girls overcame a second school year marred by Covid to receive perfect scores.

A further nine girls received near-perfect marks of 44, making the median ATAR for the IB cohort 98.55.

Cassandra Lim, 17, Tharushi Walisinghe, 18, and Ellie Lin, 17, received perfect scores. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Sophie Chiew did “insanely better than expected” after remote learning left her uncertain about her goals during the two-year program.

The 18-year-old, who was heavily involved in organising climate strikes throughout her final school years, also received an early offer to study her dream course of Law and Development Studies at Australian National University in Canberra.

“I’m feeling extremely happy. I think I did a lot, almost insanely better than I expected,” Sophie said.

“I really had no idea what to expect, but I can be a bit pessimistic,” she said.

MLC’s head of senior school Dr Jennifer Bailey Smith said the cohort’s top results proved they were ready to tackle any endeavour next year, with some students’ sights set on international study.

“I have no doubt these students are well prepared for tertiary study and whatever life brings,” Dr Bailey Smith said.

“Our IB students’ exceptional results are a testament to the calibre of these students,” she said.

“All of this year’s IB students have approached disruption, isolation and change with deep resilience and drive.”

Ivanhoe Grammar School had four students with a top mark of 44.

Lauriston Girls’ School has two students with a perfect 45 but said overall it was happy with its results which translated to a median ATAR of 97.9.

The IB is regarded as a broader program where students have to do a range of subjects and community service and use their education for good.