See full list of best performing public and private VCE schools
A regional private school that charges thousands less than Melbourne’s elite colleges has boasted the state’s most impressive 2023 VCE results. See if your school made the cut.
Ballarat Clarendon College has cemented its place as Victoria’s best school in 2023, with the state’s highest median VCE score of 39.
The private coeducational school also boasted the highest proportion of study scores of 40 and above – 45.8 per cent.
It’s the third year at the top for Ballarat Clarendon College, which had a median study score of 38 in 2022, 37 in 2021 and 38 in 2020.
The college charges $22,000 a year for year 12 – about $10,000 less than other leading independent schools below it on the list. It edged out Bialik College, Huntingtower School, Mount Scopus, Ruyton Girls’ School and Yedodei HaTorah College, which all had median scores of 37.
The unveiling of the school based VCE scores on Wednesday also saw a raft of state schools in the outer suburbs posting their best-ever results and many improving significantly.
These include selective provider Melbourne High School which posted a median of 36, while regional schools Mallacoota P-12 College and Corryong College in the state’s northeast achieved an impressive score of 34.
Ouyen P-12 College, McKinnon Secondary College, Braybrook College, East Doncaster Secondary College, Cranbourne East Secondary College and Glen Waverley Secondary College also received a median study score of 33.
These state schools achieved the same top results as high-fee prestigious institutions including Caulfield Grammar School, Methodist Ladies’ College, Xavier College, Ivanhoe Grammar and Carey Grammar which all charge fees of more than $30,000 a year.
Other standout state school performers include Hampton Park Secondary College, whose students achieved a median of 29 – an increase from last year’s result of 27.
Kyneton Secondary Secondary College is another state school which went from 26 median study score in 2021 to 28 in 2023.
Other schools which have improved over time include Lakeview Senior College, Wangaratta High School, Swan Hill College and Fountain Gate Secondary College.
Ballarat Clarendon College principal David Shepherd – who is retiring at the end of the year – said he’s “exceptionally proud” of the year 12 cohort’s achievements.
He attributed their success to the “knowledge-rich curriculum” taught at the school and the investment the school puts into its teachers.
Vice principal of Bailik Gary Velleman praised the school’s 2023 cohort, saying he was proud of the exceptional VCE results, including from those who were unscored.
“We are also proud of each student for aspiring to perform to her or his best and meet the challenges presented with determination, dignity and a sense of perspective,” he said.
Catholic schools which achieved high results included Xavier College, St Kevin’s College, Siena College and Our Lady of Sion College. Star of the Sea College received a median VCE score of 34. Principal Mary O’Connor paid tribute to the girls’ school’s dux Scout Howden and praised “all students for their dedication and commitment to their studies”.
Hampton Park’s huge gains
Year 12 students Jessica Dekazos and Isabelle Foo Souye Chan couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw their ATARs on Monday morning.
“I was very shocked and happily surprised when I saw my score as I did not expect to do that well,” Ms Dekazos said.
The 17-year-olds attend Hampton Park Secondary College in the state’s southeast, which is one of the schools that saw an improvement in their median study score this year.
Ms Dekazos, who was awarded the school’s dux, received an ATAR of 96.35, while Ms Foo Souye Chan achieved a ranking of 96.
School principal Wayne Haworth said he was delighted to see the students’ achievements, which included a total of 21 pupils scoring an ATAR of 80 and above.
The school also achieved a median study score of 29, which is two points higher than last year’s result.
Mr Haworth said the school takes a “holistic approach” to learning and has a team of dedicated staff which have contributed to the school’s success.
“While exploring passions, students develop their resilience, creativity, problem solving and leadership skills,” he said.
Ms Foo Souye Chan studied further maths, biology, chemistry, university-level health sciences and English where she received a study score of 42.
She credited her success to the support she received from “teachers, peers and family”.
Meanwhile, Ms Dekazos, who studied similar subjects, said the key to her success was to always try her best.
“I achieved my scores by believing in myself, without overworking or stressing too much,” she said.
Both students hope to study a university degree in biomedicine next year.
Originally published as See full list of best performing public and private VCE schools
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