BALMORAL Community College and Donald High School are celebrating after receiving the Wimmera’s highest median Victorian Certificate of Education study scores.
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Both schools’ students had an average median study score of 31 out of a possible 50.
Murtoa College had the Wimmera’s highest percentage of students who received a study score of 40 or above.
Balmoral principal Wendy Hobbs was thrilled with the efforts of her six year 12 students.
‘‘They were all in the 30s – we had a consistent group of students.
‘‘We’re incredibly proud.’’
Mrs Hobbs said the school often lost students from year nine to private schools.
She credited a middle years program, which runs from years five to nine, with improving VCE results.
‘‘It’s creating a lot more independence in students and independence in tracking where they’re at. That’s starting to show in our VCE results.’’
‘‘We’re just as proud of that student walking out with a certificate in their hands as we are with our dux.’'
- Wendy Hobbs
Mrs Hobbs said previously the students’ study scores averaged just below 30. She said smaller class sizes and the fact the school was not select-entry could alter averages from year to year.
‘‘We’re just as proud of that student walking out with a certificate in their hands as we are with our dux,’’ she said.
Donald High School had 19 year 12 students this year. Principal Paul Aitman said three students received an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank above 90.
‘‘At an early age we try to instil good study habits for VCE,’’ he said.
‘‘We felt the results were indicative of their work.’’
Mr Aitman said the school’s median study score for 2014 increased from 29 in 2013 to 31. ‘‘A lot of credit must go to our staff who go above and beyond,’’ he said.
Murtoa College had nine per cent of its students receive a study score of 40 or above.
Principal Tony Goodwin said the school expected the results.
‘‘We had 100 per cent of students pass. Lots of students received early offers for universities, and others for apprenticeships,’’ he said.
‘‘At the end of the day, that’s more important than whether we were better than someone else.’’
Mr Goodwin said while the results were pleasing, the college’s results were high because it had less students.
‘‘The numbers are small, so when you look at the percentages, it’s probably not a true picture of how we compare,’’ he said.