STUDENTS across the bayside region 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 Times “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.”
John Paul College’s dux for 2024, Asher, achieved an ATAR score of 99.65, placing him in the top one percent in the state. The school had three students with ATAR scores over 99. In a statement, the school said “The entire College community applauds the Class of 2024, not only for their academic success but for their perseverance. A heartfelt thank you to our teachers, staff, and families for their unwavering support”.
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.”
Frankston High School’s dux. David Hanna, achieved an ATAR score of 99.4, with the school achieving 46 students with ATAR scores above 90.
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.
Ava Drayton Benson was awarded dux of Woodleigh School with a score of 99.25 and a perfect 50 study score for English. In a statement, principal David Baker said “On behalf of the entire Woodleigh community, we congratulate the Class of 2024 on their exceptional achievements and look forward to hearing about all the wonderful things they go on to do.
First published in the Frankston Times – 17 December 2024
