Which of Victoria’s top school rivals performs best?
The state’s best-known schools also have famous rivals — but how do they compare when matched up side-by-side?
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From the exam room to the footy field, rivalry is alive and well among some of Victoria’s best-known secondary schools.
Melbourne’s longest-lasting school rivalry is between Victoria’s oldest continuing secondary school, Scotch College, founded in 1851, and Melbourne Grammar, opened in 1858.
Each year, Scotch and Melbourne Grammar hold the Cordner–Eggleston Cup celebrating their traditional footy rivalry and commemorating their first match in 1858 – which lasted an astonishing three days and ended in a 1-1 draw.
But how do Victoria’s best-known school rivals compare when matched up side-by-side?
Among their alumni are impressive names including King Charles III, Oscar-winning actors, Olympians and prime ministers, while some boast 10-lane heated pools, equestrian centres and rowing sheds on the Yarra.
So which school in each pair of rivals has the highest VCE scores? The most successful graduates? The best facilities? And which provides the best value for money for families?
Here’s how some of Victoria’s school rivals compare.
SCOTCH COLLEGE vs MELBOURNE GRAMMAR
Scotch College, Hawthorn
VCE median study score: 34
Number of students*: 1879
Total gross income**: $67,208,584
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student**: $31,407
Notable alumni: Military commander Sir John Monash, premiers Jeff Kennett, John Cain, Harry Lawson, John MacPherson and William Shiels, governors-general Sir Zelman Cowen, Sir Ninian Stephen and Peter Hollingworth, prime minister Sir George Reid, chief justice and governor Sir Henry Winneke
Campus highlights: 500-seat auditorium, 30+ pianos in music school, 400-seat theatre, 25m heated swimming pool, diving pool, 3 squash courts, gymnasium, weight training centre, large sports hall for basketball, badminton, volleyball and table tennis, 7 ovals/sports fields, 26 tennis courts, 5 computer laboratories, 2 school camp sites (Healesville and Phillip Island)
Melbourne Grammar School, South Yarra and Caulfield
VCE median study score: 35
Number of students: 1806
Total gross income: $65,174,793
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $29,218
Notable alumni: Prime ministers Malcolm Fraser, Alfred Deakin and Stanley Bruce, entertainer Barry Humphries, premiers Ted Baillieu, John Brumby and Dick Hamer, governor-general Richard Casey, athlete Edwin Flack, historian Manning Clark, barrister Julian Burnside, journalist Keith Dunstan
Campus highlights: 5-storey science/tech hub, 50,000-book library, indoor heated swimming pool, 13+ tennis courts, boathouse by the Yarra, several sports grounds, 750-seat hall, several theatre/concert venues, 2 school camp sites (Woodend and Gippsland Lakes)
MLC vs RUYTON
Methodist Ladies’ College, Kew
VCE median study score: 36
Number of students: 2018
Total gross income: $80,573,852
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $29,797
Notable alumni: Olympic gold-medallist skiers Lydia Lassila and Alisa Camplin, former attorney-general Nicola Roxon, actors Cate Blanchett and Deborra-lee Furness, former Tasmanian premier Lara Giddings, presenters Libbi Gorr and Yumi Stynes, fashion designer Prue Acton, journalist Nene King
Campus highlights: 362-seat auditorium, indoor swimming pool and diving facilities, professional gymnasium, weights room, huge indoor sports arena including basketball courts, dance studios, training commercial restaurant and cafe, two remote campuses in Gippsland for camps
Ruyton Girls’ School, Kew
VCE median study score: 36
Number of students: 870
Total gross income: $28,248,128
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $24,340
Notable alumni: Singer Judith Durham, fashion designer Dame Zara Bate (wife of PM Harold Holt), Supreme Court judge Kate McMillan, Olympic gold-medallist rower Kim Brennan, journalist Michelle Grattan, former University of Melbourne chancellor Fay Marles
Campus highlights: Aquatic centre with 2 indoor swimming pools, comprehensive gymnasium and aerobics room, theatre, 80-instrument symphony orchestra, new science laboratories and drama spaces
ST KEVIN’S vs XAVIER
St Kevin’s College, Toorak and Richmond
VCE median study score: 35
Number of students: 2114
Total gross income: $54,817,505
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $18,366
Notable alumni: Actor Rob Sitch, tennis player Neale Fraser, musicians Vance Joy and Chet Faker, activist BA Santamaria, AFL player Jordan De Goey, lawyer and academic Greg Craven
Campus highlights: Indoor swimming pool, 3 FIFA-regulation soccer pitches, AFL field, 12 cricket nets, 200m athletics track, hockey field, 12 tennis courts, indoor basketball half-court, boat shed on Yarra, theatre, separate Year 9 campus in Richmond
Xavier College, Kew
VCE median study score: 33
Number of students: 1744
Total gross income: $69,094,361
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $29,532
Notable alumni: Federal minister Bill Shorten, governor Sir James Gobbo, comedians Tom Gleisner and Santo Cilauro, political commentator Gerard Henderson, TV host Mike Walsh, marathon runner Rob de Castella, filmmaker Michael Gracey, TV and radio host Philip Brady, actor Matthew Newton, Melbourne archbishop Denis Hart, deputy prime minister Tim Fischer
Campus highlights: 500-seat theatre complex, heated indoor swimming pool, weight training room, 2 basketball/netball courts, indoor cricket area, 9 floodlit tennis courts
HAILEYBURY vs BRIGHTON GRAMMAR
Haileybury College, Brighton East, Keysborough, Berwick and City
VCE median study score: 35
Number of students: 4304
Total gross income: $148,073,076
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $24,661
Notable alumni: News presenter Ian Henderson, judge Lex Lasry, musician Ross Wilson, AFL player Ty Vickery, ethicist Julian Savulescu, animator Adam Elliot
Campus highlights: Indoor swimming pools at 3 campuses, concert halls, indoor running track and sports complex, gyms, basketball and tennis courts, several ovals/sports fields, weights room, campuses in Darwin and China
Brighton Grammar School, Brighton
VCE median study score: 34
Number of students: 1329
Total gross income: $46,908,901
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $24,403
Notable alumni: Sportsman and Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, businessman David Smorgon, comedian Charlie Pickering, chief judge Michael Rozenes, photographer Rennie Ellis, premier Sir Stanley Argyle
Campus highlights: Indoor heated swimming pool, extensive playing ovals, FIFA-standard artificially surfaced soccer pitch, PE centre including gym and conditioning centre, tennis and basketball courts, indoor adventure playground
BALWYN HIGH vs KEW HIGH
Balwyn High School, North Balwyn
VCE median study score: 32
Number of students: 2182
Total gross income: $30,698,052
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $1114
Notable alumni: Barrister Robert Richter, Olympic gold-medallist pole vaulter Steve Hooker, writers Lee Tulloch and Ramona Koval, radio DJ Lee Simon
Campus highlights: Sports stadium with three full-sized courts, weights room, fully equipped cardio room, synthetic sports field, theatre
Kew High School, East Kew
VCE median study score: 30
Number of students: 1118
Total gross income: $18,599,940
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $2018
Notable alumni: AFL player Robert DiPierdomenico, AFLW player Jessica Dal Pos
Campus highlights: New $10.8 million STEM Centre, large gymnasium housing two full-sized basketball courts/four volleyball courts, synthetic turf basketball courts and soccer pitches, 420-seat theatre
CAULFIELD GRAMMAR vs WESLEY
Caulfield Grammar School, St Kilda East, Wheelers Hill and Glen Iris
VCE median study score: 34
Number of students: 3148
Total gross income: $113,381,058
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $26,943
Notable alumni: Runner and governor John Landy, premier Lindsay Thompson, businessman Christopher Skase, musician Nick Cave, Brownlow Medal winner Chris Judd, champion runner Tamsyn Manou (nee Lewis), Olympic gold-medallist swimmer Mack Horton, radio/TV host Dylan Lewis
Campus highlights: 650-seat professional theatre, gym, weights room, oval, basketball and tennis courts, indoor swimming pool, outdoor education campus at Yarra Junction including a dairy
Wesley College, St Kilda Rd, Melbourne, Glen Waverley and Elsternwick
VCE median study score: 32
Number of students: 3118
Total gross income: $128,589,228
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $28,412
Notable alumni: Prime ministers Robert Menzies and Harold Holt, historian Geoffrey Blainey, swimmers Frank Beaurepaire and Michael Klim, businessman Ross Oakley, entrepreneur Poppy King, musician Paul Grabowsky, actor Samuel Johnson, IVF pioneer Carl Wood, tennis player Mark Philippoussis
Campus highlights: 580-seat hall, 200-seat chapel with pipe organ and piano, indoor swimming pool, gymnasium and weights room, full-sized indoor basketball court, netball and tennis courts, two sports ovals, 4-storey music school including recording studio, boathouse on the Yarra, 3 outdoor education campuses at the Gippsland Lakes, Yarra Ranges and Lochend, year 9 residential campus in Clunes.
GLEN WAVERLEY SECONDARY vs MOUNT WAVERLEY SECONDARY
Glen Waverley Secondary College, Glen Waverley
VCE median study score: 32
Number of students: 1987
Total gross income: $27,028,120
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $1028
Notable alumni: Politician Greg Barber, actor Alex Andreas, Bakers Delight co-founder Lesley Gillespie, artist Danielle Webe, treasury boss Ian Little
Campus highlights: 3 performance spaces including drama theatre, outdoor sports courts and running track, gymnasium, weights room
Mount Waverley Secondary College, Mount Waverley
VCE median study score: 30
Number of students: 1774
Total gross income: $26,434,771
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $1151
Notable alumni: Entertainers Shirley Strachan and Nick Barker, Australian cricketers Dean Jones, Peter Handscomb and Paul Reiffel, businessman Brett Godfrey
Campus highlights: theatre and music centre, gym, kitchens, science laboratories and STEM facilities
PENINSULA GRAMMAR vs TOORAK COLLEGE
Peninsula Grammar, Mount Eliza
VCE median study score: 33
Number of students: 1188
Total gross income: $38,880,867
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $19,043
Notable alumni: Politicians Greg Hunt, Tim Wilson and Rob Hulls, news presenter Peter Mitchell, entertainers Jimmy Rees, James Reyne, Sammy J, Mick Molloy and Cameron, Andrew and Lochie Daddo
Campus highlights: outdoor swimming pool, gymnasium, tennis courts, cricket nets, soccer pitches, ovals, athletics track, performing arts centre
Toorak College, Mount Eliza
VCE median study score: 34
Number of students: 767
Total gross income: $28,311,462
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $22,054
Notable alumni: Fashion designer Dame Zara Bate (wife of PM Harold Holt), entertainer Jean Kittson, actor Brooke Satchwell, writer Joanna Murray-Smith, triple Olympian rower Jane Robinson, AFLW players Jess and Sarah Hosking
Campus highlights: 800-seat theatre, 8-lane 25m outdoor lap pool, diving boards, athletics track, hockey pitch, basketball court, squash courts, dance and aerobics studio, gym, 2-storey science and tech centre, music centre with auditorium and recording studio
STRATHCONA vs FINTONA
Strathcona Girls Grammar, Canterbury and Hawthorn
VCE median study score: 35
Number of students: 750
Total gross income: $27,399,032
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $24,390
Notable alumni: Comedian Jo Stanley, scientist Kathleen McInnes, journalist/editor Jill Baker, sculptor Norma Redpath, scholar Pamela Gutman, artist Shirley Bourne
Campus highlights: 25m indoor pool, multimedia studio, multipurpose sports fields and courts, performing arts centre, separate year 9 campus at Hawthorn on the Yarra River
Fintona Girls’ School, Balwyn
VCE median study score: 36
Number of students: 433
Total gross income: $16,019,131
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $26,542
Notable alumni: Political activists Dame Beryl Beaurepaire and Helen Caldicott, science journalist Gael Jennings, publisher Di Gribble, Olympic volleyballer Louise Bawden, Dame Pattie Menzies (wife of prime minister Robert Menzies)
Campus highlights: Sports hall with multipurpose courts, dance studio, weights and training room, music studios, theatre
YARRA VALLEY GRAMMAR vs ST ANDREWS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
Yarra Valley Grammar, Ringwood
VCE median study score: 34
Number of students: 1359
Total gross income: $39,106,844
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $21,674
Notable alumni: Author Andy Griffiths, AFL players Travis, Jason and Cameron Cloke, judge Peter Almond, actor David Lyons, writer Trent Roberts
Campus highlights: 900-seat performing arts centre, heated indoor swimming pool, synthetic hockey pitch, 200-seat sports complex, weights room, sports pavilion, 8 tennis courts, 2 netball courts, extensive playing fields, music school
St Andrews Christian College, Wantirna South
VCE median study score: 33
Number of students: 676
Total gross income: $13,086,236
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $8217
Campus highlights: Multi-purpose hall, innovation centre
MELBOURNE HIGH vs MAC.ROB
Melbourne High School, South Yarra
VCE median study score: 36
Number of students: 1363
Total gross income: $20,960,404
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $2229
Notable alumni: Businessmen Lindsay Fox and John Gandel, music promoter Michael Gudinski, entertainer Graham Kennedy, chief health officer Brett Sutton, author Graeme Base, musicians Athol Guy, Keith Potger and Bruce Woodley of The Seekers
Campus highlights: 4-level sports centre with indoor 25m swimming pool and diving pool and basketball courts, expansive outdoor sports fields and courts, hockey field and pavilion
Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, Kings Way, Melbourne
VCE median study score: 37
Number of students: 1083
Total gross income: $14,747,302
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $2163
Notable alumni: Author Alice Pung, historians Christina Twomey and Alice Garner, feminist activist Beatrice Faust, entrepreneur Tan Le, Victoria’s first female surgeon Ellen Balaam
Campus highlights: Theatre under renovation, art and music studios, heritage-listed buildings, gymnasium with indoor sports courts
GEELONG GRAMMAR vs GEELONG COLLEGE
Geelong Grammar School, Corio, Merrijig, Toorak and Newtown
VCE median study score: 32
Number of students: 1335
Total gross income: $43,437,960
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $20,198
Notable alumni: King Charles III, businessmen Rupert Murdoch and Kerry Packer, prime minister John Gorton, premier Dick Hamer, runner and governor John Landy, federal minister Alexander Downer, media identity Sam Newman, actor Portia de Rossi, runner Craig Mottram, novelist Peter Carey
Campus highlights: 10-lane 25m lap pool, 200-seat equestrian centre, performing arts centre including 800-seat forum and 270-seat studio, sports hall with indoor courts, fitness centre, dance studio, music school building with auditorium, separate Year 9 campus Timbertop at Merrijig
Geelong College, Newtown
VCE median study score: 33
Number of students: 1372
Total gross income: $44,067,013
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $22,652
Notable alumni: Scientist Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet, actor Guy Pearce, politician Robert Doyle, TV presenter Rebecca Maddern, writer Gideon Haigh
Campus highlights: Recreation centre with 8-lane 25m pool, separate diving area with competition diving boards and grandstand for 250 people, centre for music and the performing arts, several ovals, tennis courts and sports fields
BALLARAT GRAMMAR vs ST PAT’S/LORETO
Ballarat Grammar, Wendouree and Mount Rowan
VCE median study score: 32
Number of students: 1653
Total gross income: $42,856,946
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $12,536
Notable alumni: Premiers Sir Henry Bolte and Thomas Hollway, AFL player Tony Lockett, tenor David Hobson, politician John Pasquarelli, musician David Hirschfelder
Campus highlights: 25m indoor swimming pool, watersports centre on Lake Wendouree for rowing and sailing, all weather multi-sport facility including running track, hockey and soccer pitches, tennis courts and cricket nets, fully equipped theatre and auditorium including recording studio, separate year 4 farm campus with equestrian area
St Patrick’s College, Ballarat
VCE median study score: 28
Number of students: 1273
Total gross income: $29,462,295
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $6574
Notable alumni: Olympic runner Steve Moneghetti, premier Steve Bracks, AFL great Danny Frawley, journalist Paul Bongiorno, Olympic rower James Marburg, Brownlow medallists John James and Brian Gleeson
Campus highlights: Gymnasium with indoor sports courts, outdoor sports fields and pavilion, weights training room, tennis courts, cricket nets, theatres, boat shed on Lake Wendouree
Loreto College, Ballarat
VCE median study score: 31
Number of students: 929
Total gross income: $20,527,905
Fees, charges and parent contributions per student: $7345
Notable alumni: Jockey Michelle Payne, former State Library CEO Kate Torney, journalist and state minister Mary Delahunty, judge Sara Hinchey, academic Margaret Heffernan
Campus highlights: 500-seat theatre with orchestra pit, soundproof live recording studio and green screens, gymnasium with sports courts, weights and spin cycle room, rowing shed on Lake Wendouree
Source: Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, myschool.edu.au, school websites
* number of students in 2021
* gross income and annual fees and charges in 2020
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