General News
15 December, 2025
Duces names: hard work pays off for high achievers
More than 65,000 students received their official VCE results on Thursday, marking the end of 13 years of schooling. The graduating class of 2025, many of whom began secondary school during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, saw a significant increase in graduates compared to last year, with almost 12,000 more students completing their VCE.
The graduating class of 2025, many of whom began secondary school during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, saw a significant increase in graduates compared to last year, with almost 12,000 more students completing their VCE.
The group overcame early obstacles, concluding their secondary studies with several exceptional academic accomplishments.
Agnes Cibi was named Horsham College’s dux, achieving an impressive ATAR of 94.10.
She credited her success to the support around her, particularly from her family.
“I was very fortunate, because I had support from parents to stay level-headed throughout the year,” she said.
“I think without them, I wouldn’t have gotten through this year.”
Reflecting on the journey, Agnes encouraged younger students to keep perspective as they move through their senior years.
“Just do your best, and everything will come naturally,” she said.
Agnes plans to study biomedicine at Monash University in Clayton.
Maddie, Liam make 2025 a success
St Brigid’s College principal, Gerard Raven was very pleased with the Year 12 cohort’s results and said “(the) milestone reflects not only academic accomplishment but also the values of aspiration and hope that define our school community”.
“Our graduates have pursued a diverse range of pathways, excelling in academic studies, vocational training, and personal growth,” he said.
“Each success story is a testament to the dedication of our students and the support of families, peers, and teachers who have walked alongside them throughout their journey.”
Especially thrilled was VCE dux for 2025, college captain, Maddie Carracher, alongside Proxime Accessit, Liam Avery.
Maddie said she was very happy with her results (ATAR 92.9) and her phone had been busy since the morning but “not too bad”, with family and friends giving “a lot of support”.
With her subjects covering English, Methods, Biology, Chemistry, Physics – and General Maths last year (her best score) – she had her own advice on what works for getting good results.
“I think definitely managing your time well, staying consistent, but also leaving time to rest and making sure that you're not just going all the time,” she said.
“Just make sure you definitely have time to rest and just make sure you're organised – I think definitely helps a lot.”
Maddie has planned to study medicine at Monash University.
Liam studied English, Methods, Physics, Biology, History (Revolutions) and also General Maths in 2024, and with Biology his favourite and an overall score of 90.75, has planned to study Agriculture, Science or Engineering at the University of Melbourne, but first defer until 2027.
“I’ll work for a year, get a bit of experience and stuff like that, because I'm looking at working in the Ag sector,” he said.
He added he wasn’t yet sure of what he would specialise in and hoped the year working would give him the insight he needed.
Top ATARs for Streeter, Hahn
Cadi Streeter earned the dux title at Wimmera Lutheran College with an ATAR of 92.35, while classmate Samuel Hahn was named the Proxime Accessit with an ATAR of 91.95.
With strong scores in English, general maths, PE, health and biology, Cadi hopes to study physiotherapy at the new Adelaide University in 2026.
“I'm hoping to work in a hospital setting or private clinic, but I'll wait until I get some work experience to find out what I like,” she said.
Samuel was equally level-headed about his pathways, hoping to embark on a general Bachelor of Engineering at RMIT.
“I'm not sure about the specialisation yet; that’s why I'm eyeing a broad Bachelor of Engineering… so I can try different ones out and see where it goes from there,” he said.
With a perfect study score of 50 in general mathematics, plus solid results in English, mathematical methods, physics and chemistry in 2025, and psychology in 2024, Sam should have no trouble finding his passion at university.
Organisation was paramount to the success of the high achievers, they said.
“Prioritise organisation,” Cadi said.
“Keep your dates and notes well organised, and start studying early.”
She added that asking questions and making the most of the teachers’ experience eliminated any doubt before exams.
“I’m very thankful to all of my teachers; Miss Cashman and Mr Middleman were quite helpful throughout the year,” she said.
“Even when I was in between exams… they would always mark my practice exams for me and go over questions I was confused about and put a lot of time in.”
Samuel said he made the most of his final year of schooling.
“I kept on top of it just by staying after school… that let me work on stuff at my own pace,” he said.
“The teachers would stay after school, and I could work through them with stuff that I was struggling with.
“If there was something I was confused about… I could ask them questions, and that cleared it up right before I had to go into the exam.”
Weidemann rapt with result
Murtoa College’s Adelle Weidemann finished her education on a high, named dux with a score of 85.05.
Bella Noonan was the college's VCE Vocation Major Dux.
One of 20 students who completed Year 12 at the college this year, Ms Weidemann said she was "content" with her result.
"I wanted to get at least in the 80s," explained Ms Weidemann.
"I was content with what I got and happy to be officially finished Year 12."
Ms Weidemann said she wasn't glued to the computer screen early Friday morning to find out her result, but did check it online when she woke up.
Now, after completing her final year of schooling successfully, Ms Weidemann said she is hoping to do law and international studies at Deakin University in Geelong next year.
She completed Biology, Business Management, English, Maths Methods and Physics this year, and Health and Human Development in Year 11.
"I did both Maths and Physics via correspondence and it was difficult to be learning independently and out of a classroom setting," Ms Weidemann said.
"I also had two lots of surgeries; hernia surgery in the middle of the year and wisdom teeth surgery in the September school holidays, so these health issues were an added difficulty to an already stressful time."
For future Year 12 students, Ms Weidemann said it is important to believe in yourself.
"Trust yourself to be able to handle and react to the struggles Year 12 can throw your way," she said.
Read More: Horsham