Students excel despite tough year

After a challenging year, VCE results have been released and anxious students can now start planning their future. Jack Kervin is the Cohuna Secondary College 2020 Dux with an ATAR of 95.40. “We are proud of all our students for getting through their VCE or VCAL during a very difficult year. Our results show how focussed, resilient and how hard our students worked throughout the year,” principal of Cohuna Secondary College, Fiona Miller, said.

 Emily Wight received an ATAR of 92.85 and four students achieved ATARS in the mid to high 80s. Since results were released, staff have worked with students to ensure that there was a pathway for them going forward, regardless of their result.

Mrs Miller said Jack worked hard and believes anyone can do really well if they’re prepared to put in the work and the effort to get to where they want to go. Jack says, “Coming up to the day I got my results I was not really that nervous, you can’t change it. You just have to alter your course depending on that. There’s no point stressing about it now. I was more stressed at exam time because I know that’s what’s set in stone. After that there’s nothing you can do. Online schooling was difficult for everyone, not just having to motivate yourself at home, but not seeing friends out of school.” 

Jack’s score is easily what he needed to enter a Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne University where he plans to major in actuarial studies and complete a Masters degree. For now, he and his fellow VCE graduates await the first round of offers mid-January and wonder how their first year of university will be structured with COVID-19 lingering.

Despite students undertaking remote learning for much of the year, staff were in daily contact with all students and supported them academically and emotionally. “We can’t underestimate how tough it was for both students and staff. Our results are testament to the incredibly dedicated and committed staff of the college,” Mrs Miller said.