WHEN the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) results were released last Thursday Sam Matthews was thrilled with a ranking of 95.6 per cent across all Victorian Education Certificate recipients.
Universities use the ranking to give preference to students choosing tertiary studies, as places are limited.
Sam, Hazel Glen College student at Doreen, said he is following in his sister’s footsteps: “I’ve always looked up to her in that way; she is the only one in my family who has been to university”.
Sam used an online calculator to help predict his ATAR; “You put in your SAC [School-Assessed Coursework) scores and also what you think you got in the exam, and you can put in your study scores as well. It’s pretty accurate I suppose”.
“I’ve wanted to do something in the field of science since I was alive,” he said.
“I’ve always been into chemistry, but I recently started to gain a huge appreciation for psychological science as well.”
Sam shared three study tips: “The most impactful thing I did was to act like I was the teacher. When I learnt something really interesting, I would come home and try to teach it to my parents, much to their dismay”.
Sam used an educational online interactive quiz resource Kahoot in a similar fashion. “Number three was to always get feedback. Whether it be from teachers, classmates or online.”
On self-care, Sam said: “While study is important, you are also very important, and you need to take care of yourself. The best way to do that is to give yourself the break you need”.
Sam said in his free time he does coding, creative writing or reading; “A good next step is to look for work. I’m not confined by school hours anymore”.
Assistant Principal for Year 11 and 12 students Michael Rogneda said: “Samuel’s results make us proud, and he has been diligent in the way he has approached his studies”.
“In Year 11 he did unit 3 and 4 general maths and did really well – a lot of students who got a high ATAR would have done that.”
Also, in the high percentile for Assumption College, Annabel Clark wowed her family and friends with a Dux score of 94.75 and St Mary’s College Seymour’s Xavier Sinkeler, 92.7 per cent.
Wallan Secondary College student Vedant Bandlish is Dux with 91.15 per cent and at Broadford Secondary College Harry Anderson scored 89 per cent.
Whittlesea Secondary College student William Murray recorded its highest ATAR. At Seymour College, Isabelle Kemp, has the top score. However, the students are reserving their rights to keep their ranking private.
