Academic Excellence

As one of Melbourne’s leading academic schools, St Leonard’s College provides our students with the opportunity to achieve academic excellence in either the VCE or International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

Our Class of 2018 achieved outstanding academic results, with a combined median ATAR of 90.5. 52% achieved an ATAR of 90 or above, placing them in the top 10% nationally. 71% of students achieved an ATAR of 80 or more, and 85% achieved an ATAR of 70 or more. 99.3% of students received first-round tertiary offers. Further information on the 2018 results is featured below.

We look forward to sharing our Class of 2019 results on Monday 6 January 2020 once both the VCE and IBDP results have been aggregated.

2018 Combined IBDP and VCE Results

• Median ATAR of 90.65
• 53.0% of students achieved an ATAR of 90.00 or above placing them in the top 10% nationally
• 72% of students achieved an ATAR of 80.00 or more placing them in the top 20% nationally
• 85.0% of students achieved an ATAR of 70.00 or more placing them in the top 30% nationally

2018 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Results

• Oscar To; the IBDP Dux achieved a perfect score of 45/45 (ATAR 99.95) placing him equal best of all IBDP graduates in the world.
• Joshua Cherubino; the IBDP Proxime Accessit, achieved a score of 44/45 (ATAR 99.85) placing him in the top 1% of IBDP graduates in the world.
• Academic accolades also go to Sonia Clements, Lucy Callahan and Thomas Galloway for achieving a score of 43/45 (ATAR 99.70). This score is on par with our VCE Dux result.
• Median ATAR of 95.75, placing 50% of students in the top 4.25% of students nationally
• 85% of students achieved an ATAR of 90.00 or above
• 96% of students achieved an ATAR of 80.00 or above
• 100% of students achieved an ATAR of 70.00 or above

2018 Victorian Certificate of Education Results

• Emily Dare; the VCE Dux, achieved an ATAR of 99.70
• Chloe Chin; the Proxime Accessit, achieved an ATAR of 99.65
• Median ATAR of 83.7, placing 50% of students in the top 16.3% of students nationally
• 20.1% of all subject study scores were 40 or above

2018 University Destinations

Of the 2018 graduates who applied through VTAC, 99.3% received a first-round offer.

The most popular destination for our VCE and IBDP graduates was Monash University with 47% offered a place. Many students also gained places at the University of Melbourne (16%) and RMIT University (11%).

The most popular courses were Commerce (33%) and Science (20%), followed by Engineering (11%), Arts (10%), Medicine and Health Science (9%), Law (7%) and Design (7%). Some of our students will study at interstate and overseas universities, with graduates receiving offers from universities in New South Wales, Canberra, Queensland and internationally, including the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

2018 Scholarships*

The following students received scholarship offers for study in 2019:

• Aiden Cha – Engineering Honours – Masters Accelerated, Monash University

• Lucy Callahan – Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship (Industrial Design), Swinburne University

• Joshua Cherubino – Engineering Excellence Scholarship, Monash University

• Chloe Chin – Scholarship (Information Technology), Monash University

• Sonia Clements – Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship (Commerce/Law), Bond University

• Rachel Heath – Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship (Health Science, Media and Communication), Swinburne University

• Matthew Hinde – Excellence Scholarship (Commerce/Law), Bond University

• Joshua Seddon – Monash Scholars Program (Biomedical Science), Monash University

• Oscar To – Monash University Scholarship of Excellence and Chancellor’s Scholarship (Commerce Achievement), the University of Melbourne

• Harry Warner – Scholarship (Information Technology), Swinburne University

*The above list of scholarships is derived from information provided to the College by students. Additional scholarships may have been awarded and accepted.

Oscar To – IBDP 45/45 (ATAR 99.95)

Oscar has been a consistently high-achieving student thoughout his time at St Leonard’s College, receiving numerous High Distinctions in a number of mathematics and science competitions, in addition to the Outstanding Award for the University of Melbourne Mathematics Competition. Oscar received the Year 11 Academic Award along with IB Prizes for Chemistry, Economics and Mathematics.

Oscar acknowledges the education he received at St Leonards’s College went beyond purely learning coursework for exams. He enjoyed the plethora of cocurricular and extension activities and was involved in orchestral bands from years 7 to 9, playing the violin as part of Strung Out and Chamber Strings. Throughout Oscar’s time in the Middle School and Senior School he was consistently part of ACS Sport playing Basketball and Soccer, in addition to participating in Interschool Cross Country.

Oscar says that he has loved “the culture and environment of the whole College. Everyone is extremely accepting and respectful of an individual’s interests and ambitions. Teachers genuinely care about the wellbeing and success of students. The helpfulness and responsiveness of teachers when I was in need of assistance was unparalleled. Special thanks to my mentor Mr Fletcher for always having my best interests at heart and for his incredible generosity.” 

Oscar was awarded a Chancellor’s Scholarship (Commerce Achievement) at the University of Melbourne in addition to a Monash University Scholarship of Excellence. Oscar has chosen the Chancellor’s Scholarship at the University of Melbourne.

Joshua Cherubino – IBDP 44/45 (ATAR 99.85)

Commencing in year 2, Joshua was an active member of St Leonard’s College life, participating in many cocurricular activities such as DAV Public Speaking, Middle School musicals, the Big Band, Running Club, Adventure Racing and ACS Athletics, Cross Country, Football, Touch Football, and Swimming.

Joshua’s achievements include the Year 12 Service to Sport Award, the Year 12 Caltex Best All-Rounder Award, the IB Mathematics SL Subject Award, the Allen House Gold Medal, and the Generations in Jazz Division 1 Third Place Award. During his time at the College, Joshua also achieved Full College Colours, Full Academic Colours, Full Music Colours, House Full Colours, Cross Country Full Colours, Touch Football Full Colours, ACS Cross Country Half Colours, ACS Athletics Half Colours and Football Half Colours.

Joshua was an active leader within the College, including the roles of Peer Support Leader, Scope Leader and Year 12 Allen Sports Captain.

Joshua shares that he is most grateful to St Leonard’s for the support and guidance of his teachers and library tutors and their dedication to students’ learning and success. Joshua was awarded the Engineering Excellence Scholarship at Monash University.

Lucy Callahan – IBDP 43/45 (ATAR 99.70)

Lucy joined St Leonard’s College in year 7. During her time at the College, she became a highly committed member of the community and took on many different leadership roles including Scope Leader, Peer Support Leader and Co-head Organiser of the International Women’s Day Breakfast.

In addition to displaying excellent leadership skills, Lucy was also a dedicated team player, being an active participant in sport at the College, including ACS Netball and Volleyball.

Lucy’s favourite subject was Geography. She says “it’s a lot more than just learning about maps. It’s learning about what goes on around you environmentally, culturally and politically and because of geography, I now understand the causes and solutions of world issues, which allows me to have a conversation with almost anyone.”

Lucy says she has enjoyed the opportunities she had at
St Leonard’s outside of the classroom, such as being on the theatre production technical crew and ACS where she made friends across year levels and had a lot of fun.

Lucy believes that her education at St Leonard’s has provided her not only with academic skills, but social and professional skills which she recognises are just as important going into the future. Lucy has accepted a Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship to study Industrial Design at Swinburne University.

Sonia Clements – IBDP 43/45 (ATAR 99.70)

Sonia commenced in year 7 at St Leonard’s and has been a consistently high-achieving student. Making the most of every opportunity provided, she has contributed to a wide range of cocurricular programs such as the Senior Choir, Stage Band, Big Band, Tuesday Jazz Ensemble and various plays and musicals. She participated in talent development programs including the Monash Scholars Program, the da Vinci Decathlon and Future Problem Solving.

Sonia was an active community member and College leader, holding numerous roles including Year 12 Allen House Captain, Year 12 Jazz Leader and Year 9 House Music Captain. Sonia’s impressive list of achievements includes Full Academic and Music Colours, the Year 12 IB English Literature Award, the Year 11 Elspeth Bennett Art Award, the Year 9 Invergowrie Award for Science, the Rotary Award for Citizenship, the Generations in Jazz Division Second Best Saxophone Award, the Generations in Jazz Division 1 Big Band Third Place Award, the Year 10 Alpine Hike David Witham Award, the Allen House Awards Year 7-10, along with the Silver Award for Outstanding Participation and Achievement for House. Sonia’s artwork was also selected for the IB Art Exhibition (Victoria and Tasmania) and the Bayside Art and Design Graduate show. 

Sonia believes an ‘education for life’ means “the guidance to be curious, questioning and open-minded throughout life.” She recalls that every year at St Leonard’s had highlights such as camps and hikes, the Year 9 Big Experience and Generations in Jazz. Sonia was awarded a Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship at Bond University for Commerce/Law.

Emily Dare – ATAR 99.70

Emily joined St Leonard’s in year 7 and was a highly committed member of the College community. She enjoyed a variety of cocurricular activities including Adventure Racing, ACS Athletics, Cross Country, Swimming, Volleyball, Netball, Touch Football, Debating, House Music Small Vocal and Instrumental. Emily also participated in talent extension programs such as Future Problem Solving and the da Vinci Decathlon.

Throughout her time at St Leonard’s, Emily demonstrated exceptional leadership in sport including her roles as Cross Country Captain, Touch Football Captain, Athletics Vice Captain and Forster Sports Captain. Emily also received numerous academic awards, including subject prizes in Biology, Chemistry, Geography and Physical Education.

Emily says “St Leonard’s College is an extremely positive learning environment that encourages hard work, however also encourages a balance of cocurricular and external commitments. I am grateful to my teachers who were all so committed to our education and went above and beyond to help us achieve our goals. St Leonard’s has provided me with knowledge, skills and a work ethic that will impact all of my life pursuits and will set me up to follow any life path I desire. I love that St Leonard’s has such a positive atmosphere and community where everyone is included and helped by everyone around them.” Emily intends to attend university in America later in 2019 to study Biochemistry or Environmental Science.

Chloe Chin – ATAR 99.65

Since joining St Leonard’s College in year 9, Chloe has been an active member of our vibrant College community. She has enjoyed the diverse array of cocurricular activities and has participated in Public Speaking, Debating, Chess, Sisters in Science and Unite Us.

Chloe has been an outstanding role model and leader within St Leonard’s College, most notably as the 2018 College Captain. Chloe was also a member of the year 10 and 11 Council, she led Newman House to victory as Captain of House Chess in 2017, she was House Dance- Off Captain, and also organised the Bald for Bowel Shave in 2018, helping to raise thousands of dollars towards Bowel Cancer research and prevention.

Chloe says “St Leonard’s College offers its students endless opportunities in a myriad of areas. From the year 9 Big Experience trip to national and international competitions, St Leonard’s allows its students to explore different pathways, and most importantly, it allows students to grow.”  To Chloe, a St Leonard’s College ‘education for life’ means “a love and appetite for learning that spans throughout one’s life, even in adulthood.” Chloe was awarded an Information Technology Scholarship at Monash University, and her future career interest is media communications and business.

*Students at St Leonard’s College choose either the VCE or the IBDP with both pathways providing year 12 graduates with an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR).