Westbourne congratulates Year 12M student Matteo Vavala on being one of a small group short listed for Melbourne University’s John Button School Prize. His essay, entitled ‘Australia’s National Perennial Arts Culture Crisis: Twenty-First Political Austerity, Reform and Disdain Exacerbates the State of the Arts’, is a well-argued, carefully researched investigation into the current circumstances surrounding government support for the arts.

An award for the best essay on a subject concerning Australia’s future, the John Button School Prize sets high standards for those entering, with judging criteria including the presentation of ‘a persuasive and clearly articulated point of view on a preferred solution, use of credible evidence’ and a ‘sense of passion and idealism’ in the writing. Clearly Matteo was able to meet these requirements. Currently studying an eclectic range of VCE subjects (including Japanese), Matteo is also very involved in the United Nations Youth Australia and has been a delegate to their global conferences – the 2020 event being conducted online as will the one in April of this year. A talented musician who plays the cello and piano, Matteo explains that his commitment to ‘helping others’ was inspired by his school trip to Cambodia. He is hoping to forge a career in international politics once he completes his tertiary studies.

Described by their teachers as ‘hardworking, aspiring to excel and ambitious’, school captain, Divine Emezie and vice-captain, Luke Tarola made what could only be described as a very challenging year into a journey of determination and success. Not only did they achieve perfect scores of 99.95, both students achieved perfect scores in Chemistry, English and Maths Methods.

As a Year 11 student in 2019 Divine achieved a perfect study score for Biology and was selected for the University of Melbourne Kwong Lee Dow Scholars Program. A sports enthusiast he competed in cross country and athletics, while combining his hobbies of music and reading with a rigorous study schedule. The recipient of an Australian Defence Force Young Innovators award and School General Excellence award, Luke was also a Kwong Lee Dow Scholar whose position as equal Dux is a testament to his outstanding work ethic and meticulous approach to his studies. A strong supporter of the fundraising for Kampuchea House, Luke’s ability as a footballer was recognised in 2019 when he received a coaches’ excellence award. Outside school, Luke’s hobbies include maths, investment, and sport.

Fully engaged in the life of the school, our two Dux each made an exemplary contribution to community service activities, peer support programs and their year as leadership role models.

Congratulations Luke and Divine. The Westbourne community is very proud of you.

It is with a real sense of pride and gratitude that we congratulate the Class of 2020 on their outstanding VCE results.  In acknowledging the many fine achievements of our students, we must make special mention of their extraordinary resilience, commitment to their studies and exemplary sense of community and support for each other throughout some very challenging times.  We congratulate the two students who achieved perfect ATARS of 99.95 – two out of thirty-eight achieved across the state.  We are also particularly pleased to see ten perfect subject scores this year. The school is extremely proud of these achievements, which reflect the hard work and enthusiasm of our students as well as the professionalism and dedication of Westbourne’s teachers. We also commend the six of our international students who attained an ATAR over 90.

Overall:

• Two students achieved an ATAR of 99.95 to be joint Dux of the School
• The median ATAR was 84.3
• Ten perfect study scores of 50 – in English (3), Chemistry (2), Maths Methods (2), Further Mathematics, Business Management and Visual Communication Design.
• 30% of students achieved an ATAR of 90.00 or above
• Five students achieved an ATAR of 99.00 or above – ranking them in the top 1% in the country.
• 21 students achieved an ATAR of 95.00 or above – ranking them in the top 5% of the country.
• 45 students achieved an ATAR of 90.00 or above- ranking them in the top 10% in the country.           
• 90 students achieved an ATAR of 80.00 or above- ranking them in the top 20% of the country.

‘The Class of 2019 really embody the spirit of Westbourne – that which they do, they do well – with a strong sense of community and care for each other, ambitious to embrace the world, their futures and to make a difference. We are so very proud of them.’ – Meg Hansen, Principal.

Cohesive, inclusive and highly supportive of each other and the school’s values, the Class of 2019 have been active participants in all that Westbourne offers. In particular, these fine young people have shown themselves to be strongly committed to their community, taking student voice to a new level of engagement through their management of senior assemblies and enthusiastic involvement in the full range of sporting, cultural, leadership and service activities. The school is extremely proud of these achievements, which reflect the hard work and enthusiasm of our students as well as the professionalism and dedication of Westbourne’s teachers. In congratulating everyone we also commend the nine of our international students who attained an ATAR over 90.

Overall:

• Median ATAR of 86.10 – the highest ever recorded by Westbourne Grammar School
• Five perfect study scores of 50 – in English (2), Biology, Health & Human Development and Further Mathematics
• 36.2% of students achieved an ATAR of 90.00 or above
• Dux of School achieved an ATAR of 99.80
• Three students achieved an ATAR of 99.00 or above – ranking them in the top 1% in the country.
• 19 students achieved an ATAR of 95.00 or above – ranking them in the top 5% of the country.
• 50 students achieved an ATAR of 90.00 or above- ranking them in the top 10% in the country.
• 88 students achieved an ATAR of 80.00 or above- ranking them in the top 20% of the country.

The school is extremely proud of these achievements, which reflect the hard work and enthusiasm of our students as well as the professionalism and dedication of Westbourne’s teachers. In congratulating everyone we also commend the nine of our international students who attained an ATAR over 90.

Westbourne congratulates the Class of 2019 on their success in the VCE.

On Tuesday of this week our senior school students and a number of family members and supporters gathered in the auditorium for an important annual event – the induction of our leadership team chosen from what will be the Class of 2020.

As a school community, we understand the importance of providing a range of leadership opportunities for our students, supporting them in these roles and encouraging them to learn more about what it is that makes a great leader. We know how important it is for student leaders to learn how to motivate, influence, persuade and encourage. We want them to discover how to build effective relationships, manage and resolve conflicts and accomplish tasks effectively.

Although I was not able to attend the ceremony, our Associate Principal, Andrew McGregor officiated at the event. Amongst other things, he was particularly impressed by the insights presented by school captains, Tessa Harrison and Divine Emezie into the challenges and complexities of leadership. In considering the question of ‘one person who has inspired me’, Tessa Harrison chose one of the African American mathematicians working at NASA in the early days of the space program.  Katherine Johnson’s calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to the success of the first and subsequent manned spaceflights.  Although she and her colleagues faced appalling discrimination, this did not stop them from persevering with their work – the ‘hidden figures‘ of the book and movie of the same name. As Tessa said: ‘Katherine Johnson was a great leader, who also paved the way for all woman, especially African American woman. She faced challenges, but she got through them no matter how tough they were.’

Following Tessa, Divine Emezie then offered some further insights on the subject of leadership: ‘For us to lead well, there are a few always and nevers we must keep in mind. Never let the fear of failure stop or side-track the goals you set for yourself. Never forget to enjoy the times with those around you, because they come and go only once. Always remember to think wide. Always be prepared to do the uncomfortable work, the hard work, and the work that lacks immediate recognition or congratulations. Above all, always remember who you are and stay true to yourself.

We expect a lot of our young people and I am confident the leadership group of 2020 will, both individually and collectively, fulfil our expectations and significantly enhance Westbourne’s culture of community and service.

For our major intake years in Senior School  (Year 7 and Year 9) we run placement testing in March each year for prospective students who are currently in Year 5 and Year 8 respectively. 

Placement Testing for Year 7 in 2021 and Placement Testing for entrance into Year 9 in 2020 will take place on Saturday 16 March 2019 at our Truganina campus. 

Applications close on Friday 8 March.

Visit our Scholarships & Placement page here to register your child for testing.