2nd February
Our Year 12 students have made us particularly proud this year, and like all students have shown resilience and persistence in difficult circumstances.
31.76% of our Year 12 VCE students were ranked in the top 10% of the State, and four students achieved ATARs above 99, placing them in the top 1% of the State; Tai Hindson; Eliza O’Sullivan; Benjamin Greiving; Austin Haywood.
Below, our four top students share their VCE tips and future plans.
AUSTIN HAYWOOD:
What are your plans for 2022, and are these plans what you expected or hoped to be undertaking?
For 2022 I will be studying the Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Melbourne, staying at Ormond College, a residential college of the University. This is exactly what I hoped to be able to undertake following Year 12.
What do you think are the top two things that worked for you in Year 12 that supported your excellent VCE results?
The top two things that supported my VCE results would have been finding balance in my personal life through part-time work and spending time with friends, rather than spending all of my time studying.Also, having clear goals to work towards for each of my subjects, whether that was a certain SAC mark, study score, or ultimately the ATAR required for my university course admission.
Who were your best supports during Year 12, and how did they help you?
My best supports during Year 12 would have been my close peers, especially those in my study room. Being able to quickly ask a question of a friend became an invaluable resource for me, especially during exam season.
How did you achieve a balance between your studies and your broader interests and wellbeing in Year 12?
I achieved a balance between my studies and broader interests and wellbeing through clear setting out of blocks of time each week, usually on the weekend, when I would spend time playing guitar, catching up with friends, or working at my part-time job. This enabled me to ‘switch off’ my school brain, giving myself time to recharge before another week of hard study. This routine enabled me to flow through the school weeks, maintaining consistently manageable stress and energy levels. This was absolutely key in the maintenance of my mental and physical well-being during Year 12.
What is the best thing about Year 12 at Girton Grammar School?
The best thing about Year 12 at Girton Grammar School is by far your Year 12 cohort. Having a close group of like-minded, equally-stressed 17/18-year-olds that you can rely on is a true resource that you as a Year 12 student will come to deeply value. Enjoy your time with these people at sports events, VCE Gen, in the LC, and during classes; you’re all ultimately in this together!
ELIZA O’SULLIVAN:
What are your plans for 2022, and are these plans what you expected or hoped to be undertaking?
I’ll be studying medicine at Monash this year as part of the Extended Rural Cohort which is really exciting because I’ll get to do a lot of training in our Bendigo community and across the Loddon Mallee region.
What do you think are the top two things that worked for you in Year 12 that supported your excellent VCE results?
It helped me to have different things on like part-time work and exercising which gave me a break from studying and helped me to keep Year 12 in perspective. It was also great to work together with the kids in my class to figure things out – you’re not in this on your own.
Who were your best supports during Year 12, and how did they help you?
My Mum was always there to support me if I got overwhelmed or tired. I am so grateful to her. Having teachers who are not only absolute experts in their field but also beautiful and kind people was also really powerful (for me it was people like Mrs Higgs, Mrs D and Dr O’Reilly). And of course, my friends were a great support because even if it was hard, we were all in it together.
How did you achieve a balance between your studies and your broader interests and wellbeing in Year 12?
I achieved a balance by getting 2 Unit 3/4 subjects done in Year 11 and doing a uni subject (and just 3 VCE subjects) in Year 12 so I had time to keep my interest in music and health going and fit part-time work in. The reality is that if you are studying subjects you really enjoy, Year 12 is not that bad at all.
What is the best thing about Year 12 at Girton Grammar School?
There are so many good things – the kitchen because it brought our whole year level together at lunch, the study rooms where you can learn so much from each other, the teachers who root for you. The list goes on.
BEN GREIVING:
What are your plans for 2022, and are these plans what you expected or hoped to be undertaking?
I’ll be studying the Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne uni, most likely with a major in economics – which is exactly what I hoped to be doing.
What do you think are the top two things that worked for you in Year 12 that supported your excellent VCE results?
Taking time off to recharge and just enjoy myself, especially after I knew I had done enough study for the day. And having a strong support network of peers who I could ask questions of – especially those in my study room. (Even though we may not have got up to much studying…)
Who were your best supports during Year 12, and how did they help you?
My friends without a doubt, who were always supportive and always in my corner.
How did you achieve a balance between your studies and your broader interests and wellbeing in Year 12?
It’s understandable that in the lead-up to a SAC or exam, you’ll be devoting a lot of time to studying and might be doing less of the things that you’d usually enjoy. I tried my best to use the time between those stressful assessments to recharge and reconnect with those around me – for me, that meant catching up with friends, playing video games or reading. I can’t stress enough the importance of taking time off for yourself!
What is the best thing about Year 12 at Girton Grammar School?
The teachers! Every teacher I had was passionate, knowledgeable about the subject they taught, and were more than happy to answer any questions I had. Your teachers are the best resource you have and you shouldn’t be afraid to ask them for help.
TAI HINDSON:
What are your plans for 2022, and are these plans what you expected or hoped to be undertaking?
After VCE I hoped to move out and attend university somewhere in Melbourne; this is still the current plan!
What do you think are the top two things that worked for you in Year 12 that support your excellent VCE results?
My mum’s cooking, and good internet.
Who were your best supports during Year 12, and how did they help you?
My dog, Gou Zai, who is a black and very fluffy miniature poodle. He was always around… or perhaps just around during mealtimes…(a quick play with the dog certainly helps break up the tedium of the day, though)
How did you achieve a balance between your studies and your broader interests and wellbeing in Year 12?
Call me boring, but I was rather interested in my VCE studies. Music (which I studied in VCE), reading (I chose to take English Literature), and mathematics (both Methods and Specialist for me). Also, plenty of exercise and sport in between the study [read: procrastination]
What is the best thing about Year 12 at Girton Grammar School?
For me, one of the highlights of Year 12 was building an increased rapport with the teachers. They put everything, and then some more, into their VCE classes, and I’m very grateful for their unwavering dedication to helping us.
