Students across Benalla have just completed what might be the most unusual school year on record.
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It is a testament to the hard work of local teachers, parents and the students themselves that when ATAR scores were released many have performed well above expectations.
Benalla's Elly Miechel, who attends Goulburn Valley Grammar School (GVGS), notched a near-perfect 99.05 ATAR score.
Her effort was embellished by a perfect mark of 50 in English, and was the joint second highest ATAR recorded at the school.
A self-professed linguist, Elly said hitting 99 was a dream come true.
“I was ecstatic – it felt really surreal,” she said.
“I was aiming for a score of 90 or above, but I didn’t think I would get a 99.
“I think the build up around receiving the ATAR holds a lot of pressure, and so finally get the result was a great feeling.”
Eyeing up a degree in law at Monash University, Elly said her future career path was not yet set in stone.
But one thing was certain; she was glad to get through 2020 to now relish all her hard work.
“One thing that last year taught me is that life is very unpredictable,” she said.
“I am just really proud of the cohort, I think everyone did really well in general.”
Another Benalla resident attending GVGS to score remarkably well was Mia Lawley, who emerged with a 95.6 ATAR.
Mia, who is also keen to further her education at Monash University, said she was grateful to receive the result despite such a turbulent year.
And like Elly, she was also astonished when the results were released.
“I was very shocked to be honest, just really happy - 95.6 was higher than I initially anticipated,” she said.
“I was just excited to get an ATAR after the year we had, and it was a really good feeling to know all the hard work paid off.”
At FCJ College, a staggering ATAR score of 96.05 belonged to dux Meg Walsh, who topped the school’s roll just whiskers above runner up Matilda Fullager’s impressive effort of 94.9.
Pia Salvadori, Holly Morrison and Lia Greenhalgh were the three other students to breach the 90 mark from FCJ College.
Principal Joanne Rock imparted words of encouragement to the body of students who battled through the disruptive year.
“It is really important to note that we are equally proud of all our students who put in their best effort regardless of whether they completed their VCE or VCAL,” she said.
“We are proud to have played a pivotal part in preparing these young people over their six years of secondary school education.
“The breadth of opportunities available to our students through VCE, VCAL and VET has ensured that the senior students at FCJ College have been able to tailor courses to suit their particular needs and interests.
“Today’s results will enable them now to step forward with confidence and a sense of achievement that opens new doors into their futures.”
It was a similar story at Benalla P-12 College, with an impressive set of results lifting the school’s mean score from the previous year.
Edward Mentiplay-Smith was named as dux with a score of 92.75, capping a difficult year for all students which principal Tony Clarke spoke on.
“Our mean score increased from last year, which we are very pleased with,” Mr Clarke said.
“We are extremely proud of Ed and all the work he has done to achieve that score.
“At Benalla P-12 we are very proud of all our VCE and VCAL students who got through last year and achieved well.”
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