Class of 2025 has results in hand

The well-rounded nature of Wangaratta's class of 2025 was on display yesterday, as some of its best performers spent the day of their VCE results' release baking cupcakes, playing golf, working at a local cherry farm and enjoying an African holiday. Wangaratta's three secondary schools celebrated the achievements of their year 12s who, along with students across Victoria, expressed delight, relief and surprise as they viewed their final results and ATARs (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank). Duxes of the three schools were Cathedral College's Elizabeth McNamara (98.95), Wangaratta High School's Clare Collins (98.8) and Galen Catholic College's Lucy Dwyer (93.95). Elizabeth's results included two perfect study scores of 50, in visual communication and design and art creative practice, while Clare achieved the perfect 50 in outdoor and environmental studies, as did fellow WHS student Isabelle Hooper (who's currently in Africa) in physical education. Yarrawonga resident Elizabeth said she was "pretty shocked" by her score, which will assist her plans to study a double degree in design and business at Monash University. "I want to start as a graphic designer and work in marketing, and eventually become an art director," she said. Elizabeth said she was pleased to have been able to pursue her passion in the arts. "For me, doing Vis Comm and Art was following my hobbies, and I enjoyed the projects I did in year 12, having fun and getting the chance to be creative," she said. Elizabeth, who started attending Cathedral College in term two of year 10, said she grew accustomed to travelling to and from Yarrawonga each day on the bus, and often used the time to study. The two perfect scores were the icing on the cake of an enjoyable year for Elizabeth, who planned to bake some cupcakes yesterday after receiving her high score. Also at Cathedral College, Eloise Mudge achieved an ATAR of 97.30, Emily Baker 93.90, Ava Harrison-Raknes 93.35 and Rayne Skippen 91.35. Wangaratta High School dux Clare Collins enjoyed a balanced 2025, playing football for Wangaratta Rovers, social Wednesday night netball, and attending social events with friends as she completed her studies. She said she needed a score above 90, was hoping for something over 95, and was thrilled to score 98.8. "I thought I might have been seeing things when I checked it, I'm really happy; it was a mix of happiness, surprise and shock," she said. Clare hopes to secure a place at Melbourne University to study a Bachelor of Science majoring in engineering. "I've always liked maths and science, and I like working with people; I'd like to do something useful for the world," she said. Clare may be part of a WHS contingent at Melbourne University in coming years, with fellow 2025 year 12 and Rovers footballer Tom Ford, and head prefect Alison Jones also hoping to study science there. Tom - whose 92.1 rounded out the school's top three scores with Isabelle Hooper (98.35) in second place - started his day with a round of golf, checking his score on the practice green. He hopes to major in statistics at university, and eventually become a sports statistician, while Alison is aiming for the health field. Galen Catholic College dux Lucy Dwyer has plans to study biomedicine or a double degree of biomedicine and engineering at Monash University, and is considering a career in health. She said she felt anxious before checking on her results, but was very happy with the outcome. "I was hoping for 85, so there was a bit of relief and shock - I was not expecting it, and certainly not expecting to be dux," she said. Lucy said she had loved studying Italian as part of her year 12 course. "I really enjoyed the subject, it made me excited to come to school, and I had the chance to go on exchange too, which I enjoyed," she said. Breakfast out with her mum and dad started Lucy's day, before she headed to work picking cherries at a local farm. Five of Lucy's fellow Galen students also achieved ATAR scores above 90 - Lili Ashby (93.10), Curtis Hines (90.15), Declan O'Sullivan (90.15), Josephine Somerville (90.10) and Makayla Brown (90.05). All three Wangaratta secondary principals, Galen's Shaun Mason, Cathedral College's Nick Jones and Wangaratta High School's Dave Armstrong, praised the dedication of students across the 2025 cohort, who began their secondary schooling just as COVID-19 hit in 2020. They each celebrated the achievements and journeys of the young people who completed their studies in 2025, and wished them well for their future.

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