Dux of The Geelong College, Andrew Duan, has achieved the highest possible ATAR of 99.95, placing him in a select group of about 35 students in Victoria. Andrew completed six subjects in total, achieving perfect study scores of 50 in English and French in Year 12, as well as 48 in Biology in Year 11.
When Andrew logged in to check his results this morning, he didn’t immediately notice the “99.95” figure for his ATAR. Instead, he recalls his study score of 41 in Chemistry as the first number he took in, before the surprise of seeing his ATAR.
“It seemed a bit surreal to me,” Andrew said. “I did get a bit emotional after a couple of minutes. My parents and the school have given me some really heartfelt, consistent and excellent support,” he said.
“Thinking about it, 99.95 is a number that has a massive story behind it. I’m so grateful to be part of that story, to have created that story with my school, my classmates and especially my parents, who’ve supported me through thick and thin.”
Andrew said his philosophy this year was to do his best at all times, rather than focusing on marks and numbers, to achieve his dream of studying Medicine at Monash University. He said maintaining a balance between academic, extra-curricular, social, and work or volunteering had been important, as well as staying motivated and positive, and keeping a solid routine during the exam period.
“Academically for me, what was important was conscientiousness – that idea of going through everything thoroughly and having a can-do mentality,” he said.
Andrew also spent time volunteering in a hospital during Year 11, providing emotional support to families of patients in the emergency department, stocking shelves, providing refreshments, and helping the nursing staff to compassionately support patients, “particularly the elder patients who often are unable to be accompanied by their families”.
“My outlook in Year 11 initially was quite narrow and volunteering helped broaden that,” he said.
“If I could sum up what I’ve learnt from College in two words, it would be ‘love’ and ‘authenticity’. I’ve learnt to love what I do, to be passionate about my everyday activities with a certain wholeheartedness and also to be loving and kind to those around me, because that for me says much more about a person than an ATAR can.”
An Trinh, who achieved an ATAR
score of 99.70, received a perfect study score of 50 for English. An also
studied French, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, Further Mathematics and Music
Performance. She is an accomplished musician who received The Friends of Music
Price for Leadership and Contribution to Music this year.
“I was so excited because I definitely was not expecting to get an ATAR so
high,” An said. “I was so happy with English; I worked really hard but I
couldn’t believe I got a 50. I’m hoping to study Science at Melbourne Uni next
year,” she said.
Six students achieved ATARs of higher than 99, which means 4.6 percent of the 2018 College cohort finished in the top 1 percent of the state. 15.2 percent of study scores were above 40, compared with the state average of 8.74 percent.
Principal of The Geelong College, Dr Peter Miller, was excited to see the results this morning. “The 2018 VCE results, released today, are the product of outstanding work by students and staff over a number of years. It is a great thrill for our community to have Andrew Duan achieving an ATAR of 99.95 which places him in the top 35 students in Victoria. Andrew’s perfect Study Scores of 50 in English and French accompany his other outstanding results,” Dr Miller said.
“I would also like to congratulate the four other students who achieved perfect study scores. These include: Charlotte Midgley and An Trinh in English; Luke Perry in VET Music; and, Behlana Robinson in Chemistry. There were also many other outstanding results for our students across the VCE subjects.
“At The Geelong College, we have a strong culture that engages students in learning and achievement in all areas of school life. The VCE results focus our attention today on academic achievement and it is a pleasure to be able to recognise the excellent achievements of so many students again this year. We are very proud of our students and appreciative of the wonderful teachers who have worked with them.”
Of the 134 students who successfully completed their VCE, 128 applied for tertiary study and 127 were offered a first-round place.
University | Percentage of students |
| Deakin University | 28% |
| Melbourne University | 25% |
| RMIT University | 15% |
| Monash University | 9% |
| Swinburne University | 9% |
| Australian Catholic University | 7% |
| La Trobe University | 5% |
| Victoria University | 2% |
| Federation University | 1% |
University of Adelaide: 6
Australian National University: 5
University of Sydney: 4
Charles Sturt University: 4
Science: 34
Arts: 13
Engineering: 10
Medicine: 4
Andrew Duan received and ATAR of 99.95. Andrew studied English, Mathematical Methods, Latin, Chemistry, French and Biology. He was awarded The Year 12 Merit Award Prize and The Year 12 Prize for Outstanding Academic Performance. Andrew was a Prefect in Wettenhall House and was recognised with Honours in String Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra and Academic Performance.
An Trinh received and ATAR of 99.70. An studied French, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods, Further Mathematics, Music Performance and English. She was awarded The Friends of Music Price for Leadership and Contribution to Music, The Year 12 Merit Award Prize, The E.R Scott Prize for the best Instrumentalist, The C.A Bickford Prize for the Top Year 12 English Student and Year 12 Merit Awards for English, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods and French. An was a Prefect in McArthur House and was recognised with Honours for Concert Band, Stage Band and Academic Performance, and School Colours for Badminton.
Behlana Robinson received and ATAR of 99.35. Behlana studied Mathematical Methods, English, Chemistry, Further Mathematics and Specialist Mathematics. She was awarded The Year 12 Merit Award Prize, The Macfarlane Burnet Prize for proficiency in Science and Biology, The A.T Andrews Memorial Prize for Mathematics and Science, The Mathematical Methods Prize and the Swimming Prize for Excellence and Dedication. Behlana was the Swimming Captain and was recognised with Honours for Choir, Stage Band, String Orchestra, Academic Performance and Swimming, and School Colours for Debating.
Tyler McHarry received and ATAR of 99.25. Tyler studied Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Visual Communication Design, Physics and English. He was awarded The Visual Communication Design Prize, The Brian Lester Prize for Specialist Mathematics, The Physics Price, The Douglas Higgins Memorial Prize for Outstanding Overall Service to the College, The Year 12 Merit Award Prize and The Principal’s Art Prize. Tyler was a School Prefect and a Prefect in Calvert House, he was recognised with Honours for Academic Performance.
Millie Martin received and ATAR of 99.10. Millie studied Chemistry, English, Mathematical Methods, French, Further Mathematics and Biology. She was awarded a Year 12 Merit Award for English and recognised with Honours for Academic Performance.
Georgia White received and ATAR of 99.00. Georgia studied Mathematical Methods, Music Investigation, Specialist Mathematics, English, Further Mathematics and Legal Studies. She was awarded the E.R Scott Prize for the Best instrumentalist, The Hobday Prize for Outstanding Overall Service to the College, The Music Investigation Prize and Year 12 Merit Awards for English and Music Investigation. Georgia was a School Prefect and was recognised with Honours for Symphony and String Orchestras, and School Colours for Musical Production, Stage Band and Debating.
Catherine Clark received and ATAR of 98.05. Catherine studied Mathematical Methods, French, English, Physical Education, Photography and Biology. She was awarded The Year 12 Merit Award Prize and The Physical Education Prize, as well as Year 12 Merit Awards in French, English and Physical Education. Catherine was a School Prefect, Co-Captain of Wettenhall House and received Honours for Tennis and Academic Performance.
Ellie Barr received and ATAR of 96.45. Ellie studied Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, French, English and Art. She was awarded The E.H Morrison Prize for All-round Ability and Service to the College, The Art Prize and Year 12 Merit Awards for English and Art. Ellie was a School Prefect, Co-Captain of Keith House, Vice-Captain of Athletics, a Duke of Edinburgh Gold recipient and won a Colin Carstairs Bell Rowing Bursary. She also received School Honours for Symphony Orchestra and Soccer, and School Colours for Rowing, Surf Life Saving, Music and General Service.
Ellie Nigro received and ATAR of 95.95. Ellie studied Biology, Legal Studies, English, Further Mathematics and Literature. She was awarded The Year 12 Merit Award Prize, The Legal Studies Prize and The Literature Prize, as well as Year 12 Merit Awards for English, Biology, Literature and Legal Studies. Ellie was recognised with Honours for Academic Performance.
Ebony Skene received and ATAR of 95.50. Ebony studied Psychology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Mathematical Methods, Further Mathematics and English. She was awarded The Harry Hooper Environmental Science Prize and a Year 12 Merit Award for Environmental Science. Ebony was a School Prefect and was recognised with Honours for Concert Band and Symphony Orchestra, and School Colours for the Musical Production.
*Please note that due to privacy we can only release ATAR results of students who have given written permission.