After a difficult two years for our Year 12 students, The Geelong College was thrilled with today’s outstanding VCE results. Dux of the College Edison Hang received an ATAR of 99.80 after excelling in English as an additional language, Mathematics Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Economics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics and Physics.
Edison received a study score of 50 for Further Mathematics in 2020. He was awarded The A.T. Andrews Memorial Prize for Mathematics and Science, the Chemistry Prize, The Year 12 Prize for Outstanding Academic Performance, The Brian Lester Prize for Specialist Mathematics, The Mathematical Methods Prize, The Alec G Stewart Prize for Economics, a Year 12 Merit Award, a Gold Endeavour Award, and Merit Awards for Specialist Mathematics, Chemistry, Mathematical Methods and Economics. He was a Prefect in Coles House and Mackie House (Boys’ Boarding) and was recognised with Honours Academic Performance and a General House Colour.
Principal, Dr Peter Miller said.
“Across the board the 142 VCE students have done extremely well. I was thrilled to see our median ATAR at 81.75, and over one third of our students achieve an ATAR over 90. It was also particularly pleasing to see six students with scores over 99 or the top 1% of the state. Two of our Year 11 accelerators achieved study scores of 50 which is a great achievement, congratulations to Angus Illingworth (Further Maths) and Remy Locke (Psychology).
“We are so proud of what has been achieved by all of our Year 12 students over the past two years. These outstanding academic results are the product of their hard work and commitment to high achievement, and with the VCE process now complete eagerly await their tertiary offers so that they can build on the experiences of this year and look to their bright futures.”
I would like to offer special congratulations to our Dux Edison Hang, who has worked incredibly hard and lived away from his family for two years. He has been so positive and committed to achieving his goals, he is an inspiration to many,” Dr Miller concluded.
Dux of the College, Edison Hang was humble but excited about his achievement.
“I do feel like it was over my expectation but I’m pretty happy. When I saw the score, I was really excited, especially about my English results, I wasn’t expecting a 41! Even though it was hard because I wasn’t able to go home for the past two years, I’m grateful for the support of my teachers, tutors and especially my host family, the Hopes.
My parents were also really encouraging, even though we only connected through technology, it did stop me from feeling too isolated.
I’m also grateful for my own self-discipline. I wanted to do well so I had to make sacrifices and make study a habit. Now I love studying and I’m happy with myself for that.”
Edison believes his decision to come to The Geelong College in Year 10 will influence his life for a long time.
“The teachers and students have been so kind and offered so much help with academics, but also everything else. Mr Gilby, the Head of Boys Boarding, has been like a father to me, caring for me every day throughout my whole time here.
This kindness changed my attitude towards Australia, it made me love it so much more than I ever thought I would.”
Edison also praised his teachers for their patience and help, and urges other students to ask questions.
“When I arrived, I asked a lot of questions and I felt encouraged by my teachers to keep asking, so I did and I’m sure that’s one of the reasons I did well. It’s something that everyone can do!”
Next year Edison plans to return to Australia and study Pure Maths and Specialist Sciences at Melbourne University.
“After that I’m considering a lot of things, I’d like to contribute through technology, like being a rocket scientist but also maybe an economist” he finished.
Proxime accessit was Skye Ellis with an ATAR of 99.70 after excelling in English, Latin, Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
Skye received a study score of 50 for Further Mathematics in 2020. Skye was awarded The Jack B. Hawkes Memorial Cup and Merit Awards for English and Latin. She was a School Prefect, Co-Captain of Coles House, and Cross-Country Captain, and was recognised with Honours and in the APS Representative team for Cross Country, School Colours for Swimming, and a General House Colour. Skye has been accepted to Northwestern University in Chicago on a Cross Country scholarship and will study Biomedical Engineering.
“I was very surprised when I woke up this morning, but pleasantly surprised. I’m really excited to be going to Northwestern, I’m leaving in August, and I can’t wait to work with the team and all their incredible facilities and see what I can achieve both in running and in academics.
James Afford (ATAR of 99.50)
Entered 2016; Coles House
2021 Achievements: James was awarded The Stanley Calvert Prize for Debating and Public Speaking, a Year 12 Merit Award, The Douglas Higgins Memorial Prize, The Principal’s Prize for the Captains of the School, Hockey Fairest and Best and Merit Awards for Chemistry, English and Mathematical Methods. He was the College Co-Captain, Debating Co-Captain, 1st Hockey Captain, and was recognised with Honours for Hockey, Debating, Academic Performance, and a General House Colour.
Unit 3 and 4 Subjects: English, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics and Biology.
James Zhang (ATAR of 99.30)
Entered 2017; Wettenhall House
2021 Achievements: James was awarded The English Additional Language Prize and merit awards for English as an additional language and Mathematical Methods. He was a School Prefect and a Prefect in Wettenhall and Mackie (Boys’ Boarding) Houses and was recognised with School Colours for Rock Band and Academic Performance.
Unit 3 and 4 Subjects: English as an additional language, Physics, Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, Specialist Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Applied Computing (Data Analytics).
Christina Shi (ATAR of 99.25)
Entered 2017; McArthur House
2021 Achievements: Christina was awarded a Gold Endeavour Award and the Badminton Fairest and Best. She was the 1st Badminton Captain and was recognised with Honours for Badminton, School Colours for String Orchestra, and a House General Colour.
Unit 3 and 4 Subjects: English as an additional language, Chemistry, Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Latin, Further Mathematics and Biology.
Dominic Bongiorno (ATAR of 99.00)
Entered 2014; McArthur House
2021 Achievements: Dominic was awarded The Physics Prize, a Year 12 Merit Award, a Gold Endeavour Award, and Merit Awards for English, Physics and Mathematical Methods. He was a School Prefect and was recognised with Honours for Concert Band, Stage Band and Academic Performance, and a General House Colour.
Unit 3 and 4 Subjects: English, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Physics, Further Mathematics and Ancient History.
Josephine Horne (ATAR of 98.60)
Entered 2016; McLean House
2021 Achievements: Josephine was awarded The Literature Prize, The T.W. Davies Prize for the Vice-Captains of the School, The Kenneth T. Andrews Memorial Prize for Legal Studies, a Year 12 Merit Award, The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, a Gold Endeavour Award and Merit Awards for English, Literature and Economics. She was College Co-Vice Captain, Swimming Vice Captain, Debating Co-Captain and the Student Leader of the Geelong College Rainbow Alliance. She was recognised with Honours for Debating, Quid Novi (College Newspaper) and Academic Performance, and a House General Colour.
Unit 3 and 4 Subjects: English, Literature, Legal Studies, French, Economics and Further Mathematics.
Amelie Raineri (ATAR of 98.30)
Entered 2016; Shannon House
2021 Achievements: Amelie was awarded The Biology Prize, a Gold Endeavour Award and Merit Awards for Biology, Chemistry and French. She was recognised with School Colours for Academic Performance.
Unit 3 and 4 Subjects: English, Chemistry, Biology, French, Mathematical Methods and Visual Communication Design.
Youser Najjar (ATAR of 98.15)
Entered 2017; Wettenhall House
2021 Achievements: Youser was awarded The C.A. Bickford Prize for the top English student, The B.R. Keith Modern Language Prize for French, a Year 12 Merit Award, a Gold Endeavour Award and Merit Awards for English, Chemistry and French. She was recognised with Honours for Academic Performance.
Unit 3 and 4 Subjects: English, French, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, Mathematical Methods and Biology.
Ruby Chen (ATAR of 96.90)
Entered 2016; Coles House
2021 Achievements: Ruby was awarded The B.R. Keith Modern Language Prize for Chinese and a Gold Endeavour Award, and Merit Awards for English and Chinese. She was a Prefect in Coles House and was recognised with a General House Colour.
Unit 3 and 4 Subjects: English, Mathematical Methods, Chemistry, Physical Education, Chinese, Biology and Further Mathematics.