Students at Mac.Robertson Girls’ School in Melbourne are celebrating exceptional academic achievements, with many achieving high scores in their VCE examinations. The school has reported a significant reduction in student anxiety levels, resulting in improved performance across various subjects, including biology, chemistry, and psychology.
Year 12 student Kaia McNeal exemplifies this success. Despite facing illness during her studies, she maintained focus by connecting her biology knowledge to her personal health. “You can imagine your immune system is kind of working behind the scenes,” she explained. This approach contributed to her impressive study score of over 40 in biology, part of a cohort of 60 students from the school achieving similar results.
In the 2023 VCE results, Mac.Robertson Girls’ School led Victoria with the highest number of students scoring 40 or above in biology, chemistry, and psychology. Overall, 23,494 study scores of 40 or above were recorded in Victoria, with 15,339 students achieving at least one such score. Among them, 664 students attained a perfect score of 50.
Kaia achieved an ATAR of 99.85 with five study scores above 40, including a perfect score in French. Her mother, Jedda Bradley, highlighted the importance of discussing academic content at home to reinforce learning. “We’d debate the ideas she was learning about,” she recalled.
Mac.Robertson Girls’ School principal Sue Harrap noted that the institution celebrated its best results in seven years, with a median ATAR of 95.7 and 80% of students scoring above 90. Harrap attributed this success to a shift in student mentality, focusing on personal growth and constructive feedback rather than solely on scores. “What that has done is remove a fair amount of ongoing anxiety,” she said.
The school’s science department implemented collaborative learning strategies and formative assessments tailored to students’ needs, linking academic success with overall well-being.
Other schools also reported impressive results. Haileybury College achieved the highest number of high achievers in general maths and English. Deputy principal and head of senior school, Dr Nicholas Grigsby, stated that five students received perfect scores, with over half the cohort scoring an ATAR of 90 or above. He emphasized a long-standing commitment to educational philosophy and ensuring that teachers are specialists in their fields.
Among Haileybury’s high achievers, Clarence Antonmeryl stood out with an ATAR of 99.95, including a perfect score in specialist maths. He credited the school’s focus on critical thinking and collaboration for his success.
Melbourne High School recorded the highest number of study scores above 40 in maths methods, with 109 students achieving this milestone. Principal Tony Mordini expressed satisfaction with this year’s results, highlighting that the school promotes involvement in extracurricular activities alongside academic achievement.
Mentone Grammar School also excelled, recording 38 students with scores of 40 or more in VCE business management for the second consecutive year. Meanwhile, St Kevin’s Toorak saw 37 students achieving similar scores in physical education.
As schools continue to adapt their educational approaches, the focus on reducing anxiety and fostering a supportive learning environment appears to be yielding positive results across Victoria. The success stories from Mac.Robertson Girls’ School, Haileybury College, and others provide valuable insights into effective educational practices that prioritize student well-being alongside academic excellence.
