Dux of The Geelong College, Tom Yang, achieved an outstanding ATAR score of 99.90, placing him in approximately the top 0.1 percent in Australia. Tom completed 8 VCE subjects in total, VCE Chinese in Year 10, Biology and Further Mathematics in Year 11, and Specialist Mathematics, English (EAL), Mathematics Methods, Psychology and Chemistry in Year 12. Tom achieved a perfect study score of 50 in Further Mathematics last year and two scores of 49, one of 48 and one of 47 to make up his impressive ATAR score.
Tom arrived in Australia when he was 11 and spoke only a little English. “When I arrived in Year 6 I couldn’t really speak or comprehend English that well. My teachers exposed me to such a range of things when I got here, and I just started to speak and chat with people, and it went from there” Tom said.
“I’m really happy. I didn’t know what score to expect, it’s difficult, you work hard but I just didn’t expect to score a raw 40 in Specialist Mathematics. In English as a Second Language, I didn’t know what to expect but it definitely wasn’t a 49!”
In addition to his outstanding academic achievements Tom was a House Prefect this year and is an accomplished soccer and badminton player.
“Next year I am hoping to study Science at Melbourne University as part of the Chancellor’s Scholarship program. It will be great and I’m looking forward to the new challenges” Tom concluded.
Principal of The Geelong College, Dr Peter Miller was excited to see the results this morning.
“The results really are excellent, and they are well deserved. This outstanding group of students have worked hard individually, and been guided by wonderful teachers. Perhaps most importantly though, they have worked so well together as a group, collectively supporting each other in their aspirations during their time at the College.
“Strong results open doors and offer exciting options. We look forward to seeing these students thrive next year and into the future” Dr Miller said.
“With a median ATAR of 85.825, 39.4% of ATARs over 90, 6 scores of 99 or more and 19.1% of Study Scores over 40, the College is thrilled with the 2017 VCE results, which are the College’s best results since ATARs began in 1998” Dr Miller said.
“We encourage all students to be involved in a broad range of learning opportunities to develop skills and talents, but also to learn resilience and mindfulness. All our highest achievers this year have been leaders, played sport, and many have participated in expeditions, music, drama and community service activities. We hope that these experiences and learnings, as well as their academic achievements will set them up for a successful and happy life.
Molly McLaughlin, who achieved an ATAR score of 99.80 received a perfect study score of 50 for Biology. Molly also studied Chemistry, History: Revolutions, French, Further Mathematics and Mathematical Methods and was a School Prefect, Co-captain of the Debating team and an accomplished vocalist.
“I couldn’t believe it really” Molly said. “I was hoping to do well enough to get into my first choice, Medicine at Monash. I am so excited with my 50 in Biology, I only took it up for Year 12 so I just didn’t think I would do that well.”
Perfect study scores of 50 were achieved by the following The Geelong College students Tyler McHarry (Year 11) – Computing: Informatics, Behlana Robinson (Year 11) Further Mathematics, Molly McLaughlin – Biology, Thomas Page – Chemistry and Sally Shaw - English
Of the 143 students who successfully completed their VCE, 137 applied for a tertiary place and 136 were offered a first-round place.
University | Percentage of students |
| University of Melbourne | 29% |
| Swinburne University | 17% |
| Monash University | 15% |
| Deakin University | 14% |
| RMIT University | 13% |
| Australian Catholic University | 4% |
| La Trobe University | 4% |
| Victoria University | 3% |
Thomas Yang received an ATAR of 99.90. Thomas studied Specialist Mathematics, English (EAL), Mathematics Methods, Psychology, Chemistry, Chinese, Further Mathematics and Biology. He was awarded English Additional Language Prize, The A T Andres Memorial Prize for Mathematics and Science, The Mathematical Methods Prize, The Year 12 Merit Award, The Psychology Prize, and Year 12 Merit Awards for Chemistry, Mathematical Methods and English Additional Language. Thomas was a Prefect in McLean house and received School Colours in Badminton and Soccer.
Molly McLaughlin received an ATAR of 99.80. Molly studied Biology, French, Mathematics Methods, Chemistry, Further Mathematics (Year 11), History – Revolutions (Year 11) and English. She was awarded The E H Morrison Prize for all round ability and service to the College, The MacFarlane Burnet Prize for proficiency in Science, The B R Keith Prize Modern Language Prize for French, a Year 12 Merit Award Prize, and The Year 12 Prize for Outstanding Academic Performance, as well as Year 12 Merit Awards for French, English, Chemistry and Biology. Molly was a School Prefect, a Prefect in McLean House and the Co-captain of the Debating team, and received School Honours for Academic Achievement, Choir and Debating.
Devmy Panagodage received an ATAR of 99.45. Devmy studied Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, French, English, Biology (Year 11) and Specialist Mathematics. She was awarded The Stanley Calvert Prize for Debating and Public Speaking, The Year 12 Merit Award, The Year 12 Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement, and Year 12 Merit Awards for Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, English and French. Devmy was a Prefect in McArthur House and Co-captain of Debating. She received School Honours for Academic Achievement, Concert Band, Symphony Orchestra and Debating, and School Colours for Badminton.
College Co-captain Thomas Page received an ATAR of 99.25. Thomas studied English, Chemistry, Mathematics Methods, and French. He was awarded The Dr A J Campbell Perpetual Trophy Prize for all round sporting contribution to the College, The Principal’s Prize for the Captains for the School and The Chemistry Prize, and Year 12 Merit Awards for chemistry and English. Thomas was a Prefect in Shannon House, Vice-captain of the Boats, 1st Football Vice-captain and Athletics Vice-captain. He received School Honours for Rowing and Football, and School Colours for Athletics.
College Co-captain Izzy Greer received an ATAR of 99.20. Izzy studied Mathematics Methods, Chemistry, French, Biology (Year 11), Further Maths (Year 11) and English. She was awarded The Jack B Hawkes Memorial Cup for Outstanding Sportsmanship, The Principal’s Prize for the Captains of the School and the Fairest and Best Award for Soccer. Izzy was a Co-Captain of the first Soccer team, played with the Symphony Orchestra and was a Prefect in Keith House. She received School Honours for Debating, Symphony Orchestra and Soccer, and School Colours for Tennis and Waterpolo.
Sally Shaw received an ATAR of 99.00. Sally studied Mathematics Methods, Psychology, Chemistry, English and Literature. She was awarded The Literature Prize and the C A Bickford Prize for the top Year 12 English Student, and Year 12 Merit Awards in English and Literature. Sally was the Co-captain of the Equestrian team and received School Honours for Equestrian.
Matthew Bagnara received an ATAR of 98.70. Matthew studied Specialist Mathematics, Mathematics Methods, Latin, Physics, Information Technology (Year 11) and English. He was awarded the Classics Prize for Latin and Year 12 Merit Awards for Physics, Mathematical Methods and Latin. Matthew received School Academic Honours and School Colours for Diving.
Harry Unkenstein received an ATAR of 98.60. Harry studied English, Specialist Mathematics, Mathematics Methods, Chemistry and Further Mathematics (Year 11). He was awarded Year 12 Merit Awards in Physics and Mathematical Methods. Harry was a Prefect in Wettenhall House and was the 1st Soccer Vice-captain. He received School Honours for Soccer and School Colours for Cricket.
Eliza Lawson received an ATAR of 98.30. Eliza studied French, Physical Education, Art, Mathematical Methods, Biology (Year 11) and English. She was Captain of Boats and a Prefect in Morrison House. Eliza was awarded The Colin Carstairs Bell Rowing Bursary, The Rowing Excellence Award, Fairest and Best Prize for Waterpolo, The Physical Education Prize and Year 12 Merit Awards for Physical Education, Biology and English. She received School Honours for Rowing and Waterpolo.
Declan Skuza received an ATAR of 98.30. Declan studied Chemistry, English, Geography (Year 11), Mathematics Methods, Specialist Mathematics and Further Mathematics. He was awarded The Geography Prize and was a School Prefect and the Co-Captain of Morrison House. Declan was the 1st Soccer Captain and 1st Tennis Co-Vice-Captain and was awarded School Honours for Soccer and Tennis.
George Johnston received an ATAR of 97.65. George studied Environmental Science, Chemistry, Mathematics Methods, French and English. He was a School Prefect and Co-captain of Wettenhall House. George was awarded a Year 12 Merit Award for French and School Colours for Cricket.
Allen Miao received an ATAR of 97.65. Allen studied Biology (Year 11), Further Maths (Year 11), Chemistry, English, French, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics. He was awarded a Year 12 Merit Award for Mathematical Methods and was a member of the 1st Tennis and 1st Soccer teams as well as the Concert Band. Allen received School Colours for Music, Soccer and Tennis.
Genevieve Nicholson received an ATAR of 97.05. Genevieve studied French, English, Chemistry, Mathematics Methods and Latin. She was awarded Year 12 Merit Awards for English and Latin. Genevieve was the Co-captain of the Equestrian team and received School Honours for Equestrian.
Eliza Shannon received an ATAR of 97.05. Eliza studied French, English, Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, Biology (Year 11) and Further Mathematics (Year 11). She was a School Prefect and Co-captain of Shannon House and was awarded School Colours for Soccer.
Gemma Savage received an ATAR of 96.35. Gemma studied Theatre Studies, French, Mathematics Methods and English. She was awarded a Year 12 Merit Awards for English.
Congratulations to these students and to all in our VCE class of 2017.
*Please note that due to privacy we can only release ATAR results of students who have given written permission.