STUDENTS across the peninsula received their ATAR scores last Thursday (12 December) with some outstanding results. Kirsten Harkness made history for Mount Erin College with the highest score a student has ever achieved at the school; an outstanding 99.75. “I felt confident throughout the year,” said Harkness who plans to study law and arts at Monash University. “I was very nervous on Thursday morning, and it was a huge surprise I did so well.” The principal at Mount Erin College, Jenni Hodgins, told The News “We are overjoyed at the result Kirsten has achieved”.
Hodgins, who has led the school since 2021, believes the result reflected the school’s approach to focus on individual success. “We are here to support our students to work hard and achieve what they want to achieve, whether that is a workforce outcome, or further study.”
Peninsula Grammar’s dux for 2024 was Keira Barnes with an ATAR score of 99.55. “We are incredibly proud of Keira Barnes, our dux of 2024,” said Peninsula Grammar principal Stuart Johnson. “Keira came to Peninsula Grammar in Year 5 and is looking forward to studying science at ANU next year. “This result illustrates the ethos of our school to ‘unleash greatness’ and we can’t wait to see what greatness Keira and her fellow 2024 class unleash on the world.”
Toorak College dux, Amelia Bishop, achieved an ATAR of 99.3. The school’s class of 2024 achieved a median ATAR of 86.5, meaning that over half of Toorak’s students were placed in the top 14% of the state. “We are incredibly proud of the class of 2024 and all they have achieved, and we are confident their legacy will continue to inspire those who follow in their footsteps at Toorak College,” said principal Kristy Kendall. “They are aware of the many generations who have stood behind them and they now boldly face their future.”
Padua College dux Will Edwards achieved an ATAR score of 99 and was one of 21 students at the school that achieved an ATAR above 90. In a statement, the school said “Congratulations to all graduates in our class of 2024. You have set a high standard for the years to come, and we wish you every success as you step into your futures”.
At Balcombe Grammar the Dux, Nathan Craig, achieved an ATAR score of 98.3. He achieved the school’s highest results in biology, mathematical methods, and specialist mathematics. In a statement the school said “We congratulate all of our Year 12 students who demonstrated leadership, kindness and teamwork. Collectively, they contributed enormously to this community.”
At Dromana College, Savannah Coghlan was dux for 2024 with a score of 98.0. This year marked the best VCE results in Dromana College’s history with the principal, Alan Marr, saying of the class of 2024 “We are immensely proud of the remarkable people you are, and look forward to the outstanding futures you have ahead of you”. The News believes Savannah hopes to pursue medicine next year.
First published in the Mornington News – 17 December 2024
