The Victoria University Secondary College community congratulates its graduates for their excellent achievements in 2023.
Staff commend them for their commitment to achieving their personal best and for continuing to promote a culture of aspiration with their peers.
Principal Elaine Hazim said “we are proud of all our graduates and wish them the best in their future pursuits in 2024 and beyond“.
“I am extremely proud of our students and staff who have been so dedicated and worked extremely hard throughout the year. Our teaching and learning is consistent across the college and we have a learning framework that all teachers follow. Teachers work in professional learning teams each week where they collaborate and moderate together. They look at student data and target their teaching strategies in order to move students along the learning continuum,“ Ms Hazim said.
VCE Results
Congratulations to 2023 College Dux, Linda Nguyen, who achieved an ATAR of 99.25, and Proxime Accessit, Jia Ze Lim, who achieved a result of 94.90.
2023 College Dux, Linda Nguyen, achieved scores above 40 across all her subjects, achieving high scores of 46 in chemistry, and 45 in both biology and mathematical methods. Over the years at the college, Linda has shown consistent diligence and a commitment to hard work and personal achievement. Linda’s VCE subjects included English, chemistry, biology, mathematical methods and specialist mathematics.
Upon receiving her ATAR, Linda describes being in shock at her result, not having thought her ATAR would be as high as it was. She attributes her success to her supportive family, strong study habits, and self-discipline. She says that doing more than is expected of oneself while also giving yourself time to rest and relax too are keys to doing well in Year 12.
Proxime Accessit, Jia Ze Lim,achieved strong results across the board and scores of 40 and above in philosophy and English. He describes himself as being “absolutely ecstatic” upon receiving his ATAR and VCE results.
“This moment was the culmination of 13 years of school and the moments leading up to it were filled with anxiety, expectation and most of all, fear. However, once the results were out, it was clear that there wasn’t anything more to worry about and I never imagined that I’d be able to achieve the scores I did!“ Jai Ze said.
Jia Ze says that the main factors that influences his learning were supportive teachers who offered him guidance and his own self-determination.
In 2024, Jia Ze plans to study biomedicine, though is still considering his options before offers are finalised. He remains interested in the sciences but also says he hope to continue to be able to study philosophy as well as is has had a positive impact on the way he thinks in everyday situations.
Students Crislin Rosete and Astra Yol also received ATARs in the 90s, with Crislin achieving a high score of 46 in English, and Astra achieving scores above 40 in both English and literature. Crislin, who attributes her success to good teaching and a sense of community and collaboration in her cohort, plans to study creative writing in 2024. Astra, who says he found teachers in his senior years who inspired a passion for learning in the subjects he studied, will study a Bachelor of Communications in 2024, with aspirations to pursue a career in journalism.
We congratulate all our Vocational Major students who are graduating this year and moving into the workforce. These students have worked hard to gain the vocational skills necessary to gain employment in their various fields. Jayde McCarthy, a Vocational Major student graduating in 2023, has shared her story of studying in the Vocational Major Program.
“When I reached the end of year 10 our school was motivating us to choose a career pathway we were interested in, so I chose hairdressing as it had always been an interest of mine. I found a salon willing to take me on for Year 11 work placement, Warped Hair Design in Airport West. The school encouraged us to get our hours up in the workplace to gain knowledge and experience and I was lucky enough to work in a great environment. I was then offered an apprenticeship in year 12 and the school helped me balance both year 12 studies and a part-time apprenticeship through the HeadStart program. HeadStart helped me get into Victoria University Polytechnic to study a certificate in hairdressing and I was able to balance these 3 things (work, TAFE and school) quite well with everybody’s support. Now that I have completed year 12, I am currently working more hours in the salon and am very happy with the position that I am in as a 17-year-old apprentice at the moment. I aspire to one day open my own hair salon and become a successful hairstylist and business owner.”
