Persistence and Consistent Application

The Woodleigh School Class of 2023 are to be congratulated on their achievements throughout this year. As Principal, I have been thrilled to watch the way they have worked, maximising their talents and making the most of the opportunities our school affords its students.

Persistence and consistent application have produced many personal bests for this year’s VCE cohort, with students achieving results beyond expectations, some against significant personal odds.

I am delighted to announce Oscar Carter as Dux of Woodleigh School for 2023. Oscar’s ATAR of 98.6 caps off a fantastic student career at Woodleigh School.

Having led Oscar (or maybe he was leading me) on the Overland Track this year, I know he will make the most of every opportunity following his chosen pathway, studying Science-Engineering at Melbourne University.

I also want to acknowledge Ella Jones’ outstanding achievement; her score of 96.2 came while she made huge contributions to the cultural life of the school through our Music, Drama and Community Service programs. 

Beyond these efforts, I’m delighted that Hugo Brunton’s artwork, ‘Kids on the Farm’, which was awarded the 2023 Bonnie Daniello Acquisitional Prize, has been shortlisted to appear in Top Arts 2024 at the National Gallery of Victoria. Tsomo Lakatsang and Ella Jones have also been invited to audition for Top Class 2024, the showcase of Victoria’s best Year 12 Drama Performances. 

At Woodleigh, student successes are not limited to those who have achieved perfect academic scores. Every student from the Class of 2023 has undertaken a broad range of learning experiences beyond core academia and, as a result, leaves Woodleigh School ready for life. Our efforts are not solely focused on a final numerical rank. Education is about far more than this, as is life.

I am extremely proud to note that 100% of our Year 12 cohort received their VCE or Equivalent VET Certificate and that 98% applied for study beyond Year 12.

Each year, we farewell a class of well-rounded, articulate, confident and personable young adults with the necessary skills to communicate, empathise, and find creative solutions to problems. Each year, Woodleigh students leave with much more than a completion certificate and a list of academic successes. They leave with an understanding of who they are, if not exactly where they are headed.

As a community, we wish all students from the Class of 2023 the very best as they head off to University, TAFE, work, travel and community service programs abroad.

Pictured: Nat McLennan – Head of Senior Campus, Millie Evenden, Ella Jones, Mackenzie Garrett, Isabel Speranza, Lily Smith and Principal David Baker. Not Pictured: Ben Filippone and Austen Edis.