Living away from his family for the past two years throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has paid off for a Geelong College year 12 student, who received the region’s highest ATAR score.
Edison Hang, who has boarded at the school for the last two years and has been unable to go back to see family in China, was named dux of Geelong College last week after receiving an ATAR of 99.80.
Edison said he was surprised by his score when it was released last week.
“I do feel like it was over my expectation but I’m pretty happy,” he said.
“When I saw the score, I was really excited, especially about my English results, I wasn’t expecting a [study score of] 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.”
Along with his study score of 41 out of 50 for English, Edison also received study scores of 49 for mathematics methods, 47 for specialist maths and 43 for chemistry.
He also got a perfect score of 50 for further maths in 2020 as a year 11 student.
Edison said his secret to success was to always 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,” he said.
“It’s something that everyone can do.”
Edison said it had been hard being away from family over the past two years, but he had enjoyed his time in the region.
“My parents were really encouraging, even though we only connected through technology, it did stop me from feeling too isolated,” he said.
“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.
“The teachers and students have been so kind and offered so much help with academics … this kindness changed my attitude towards Australia, it made me love it so much more than I ever thought I would.”
Edison has plans to return home over the summer, but he will study pure maths and specialist sciences at the University of Melbourne next year.
“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 said.
Edison was one of six students at Geelong College to receive ATARs over 99, along with Skye Ellis, who received a score of 99.70.
Skye has plans to move to the US next year to study biomedical engineering at Northwestern University in Chicago, where she received a cross-country scholarship.
“I was very surprised when I woke up [on Thursday], but pleasantly surprised,” she said.
“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.”
There were many other notable achievements around the region.
Kami Jaan was Northern Bay College’s dux and also achieved the highest single subject study score in the school’s history with a perfect 50 in VET sport and recreation.
Clonard College dux Charlotte Fogarty scored a 99.25 with perfect study scores in biology and psychology, while Sacred Heart College had five students receive ATARs over 99, including dux Stephanie Reed, who received a 99.45.
Other students that received scores over 99 included St Joseph’s College’s Jarrod Zanardo (99.10), Geelong Grammar School’s Skyler Waring (99.60) and Kardinia International College’s Nayoun Chung (99.65).
Across the state, 50,723 graduated with their VCE – a completion rate of more than 98 per cent – while another 14,066 received their VCAL certificate, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
There were 13,935 students across the state who achieved at least one study score of 40 or more in a subject, which Education Minister James Merlino said the results showed the resilience of students in the unprecedented times.
“VCE and VCAL graduates are impressive every year – but the class of 2021, completing their final years of school during a global pandemic, are particularly inspiring. Congratulations to every single student right across Victoria,” he said.
“I thank teachers, school staff and families, whose support through the last two, difficult years has played a huge role in the success of this year’s VCE and VCAL students.
“Whether it’s a university course, TAFE, an apprenticeship or getting straight into the workforce, I wish our year 12s the very best with whatever comes next after a fun and relaxing summer break.”
