General News
12 December, 2024
Meet the Holy Trinity Lutheran College's highest achievers of 2024
Rebekah Wundke named Holy Trinity Lutheran College's 2024 dux.
Years of dedication and hard work have paid off as the class of 2024 received their VCE results on Thursday, December 12.
More than 47,000 students received their tertiary admission rank (ATAR) with 41 teenagers achieving the highest possible rank of 99.95.
In a slight improvement from 2023, this year's average ATAR was 69.52, up from 69.41.
Holy Trinity Lutheran College's Rebekah Wundke, with an amazing 99.00 ATAR, was named the dux of the school, while classmate Cameron Brito-Mutunayagam, with 98.85, was named Proxime Accessit.
Rebekah's enviable rank was helped by a perfect study score of 50 in Biology, plus strong scores in English, Psychology, Mathematical Methods and General Maths.
She also set herself up for success by completing Health and Human Development in 2023.
"Studying a Year 12 subject in Year 11 set me up well for a good score," she said.
"We had a very good teacher who really helped us be organised and develop study skills."
Rebekah aims to study speech pathology in Adelaide.
To stay on top of her studies, she focused on consistency.
"I planned out my time. I wrote a lot of lists of tasks that I needed... and I used that to motivate me," she said.
"I also revised content throughout the year and made solid cue cards and notes that I could use."
The two high achievers shared several classes: Health and Human Development in 2023 then Mathematical Methods, English and Biology in 2024.
Cameron also performed well in Chemistry and Physics.
"I'm hoping to study Medicine next year," he said.
"I'm happy to study in Melbourne because that's closer to home, but I can study in South Australia or NSW too. So long as I can study."
With a heavy load, Cameron said maintaining a balance was crucial to his success.
"It's kind of cliche to say, but found enjoyment throughout the year," he said.
"I didn't study every hour of every day. I did other things like playing soccer and working part-time.
"I've started playing piano again this year too. I tried to find as much enjoyment in those things... to take my mind off studying and help me relax.
"It made sure that the time I spent studying was of a high quality."
In 2024, St Brigid's College maintained its focus on the outcomes and successes of all students, rather than overall rankings.
The school chose not to publicly release individual ATAR results but did announce Sean McDonald as its dux for 2024.
He said he planned to take a gap year and travel before he commenced studying Civil Engineering at Monash University.
Horsham College's Lucy Scott was named the school's dux of 2024 following an ATAR of 95.80.
Lucy's study score in Health and Human Development placed her in the top one per cent of the state. She also placed in the top five per cent for Legal Studies and top 10 per cent for English and Psychology.
Overall, 22% of students eligible to receive an ATAR achieved a score above 80.00.