St Joseph’s, Echuca College acknowledge top students

Jack, one of the school’s leaders in 2023, has always been considered a talented student who will work with the school next year to seek further education in 2025.

“I was the school captain here throughout the year,” Jack said.

“I worked to help fellow students and help them in any way I could.

“Looking back, I’m thrilled with the result I received and happy I helped fellow students as well.

“I think I’ll be studying aeronautical engineering at university, or maybe a mathematics science degree at Monash University.

“I cannot thank the staff here enough, to be honest. Many of the teachers I would ask for help daily. I appreciate their time and assistance; they were always patient and happy to guide me through VCE.”

Four other students from the college joined Jack with scores higher than 90, including Chloe Villani (95.6), Morgan Bingham (93.3), and Isabella Ferguson (90.85).

Chloe is considering entering radiography, while Morgan will seek a double degree in criminology and psychology.

Isabella plans on becoming a research scientist developing treatments for diseases.

St Joseph’s principal Anne-Marie Cairns congratulated the entire year level for their tenacity, including 106 students who completed their VCE and 10 who met VCE-VM.

“I am incredibly proud of how these students have responded to the many challenges they have faced throughout their secondary school journey with strength, courage and commitment,” Ms Cairns said.

After being announced the winner of The Age’s 2022 Schools that Excel category for non-government schools in rural and regional Victoria last year, Ms Cairns said the 2023 VCE results were further evidence of the school’s commitment to continuous improvement.

“These results are a testament to the hard-working teachers, leadership team, students and families involved with St Joseph’s over many years, and ones which we can all be very proud of,” she said.

Ella Birtles took out Dux honours at nearby Echuca College, and is now looking ahead to a medical career.

“I’ve decided to study nursing at La Trobe University in Bendigo and then transfer into medicine with Deakin in Geelong,” Birtles said.

Ella has been offered a spot at La Trobe University, but for now, she will enjoy Christmas and a short break before commencing tertiary studies next year.

She plans to become a qualified nurse and then complete additional studies by becoming a doctor working as a neurologist.

“Right now, I think I would prefer to work in a rural setting in medicine, which would either mean becoming a nurse or eventually becoming a doctor once I finish studying medicine,” she said.

Ella enjoyed English and relished the positive feedback from her English teacher, Mrs Vivienne Thomas.

Fellow high-achieving Echuca College student Holly Pendlebury will enter the corporate sector after completing commerce studies.