Beaconhills College students have achieved outstanding 2021 VCE results across a wide range of subjects, with a top ATAR of 99.25 for Pakenham Campus College Dux Sienna Jude.

Despite the challenges of two years of pandemic lockdowns, Headmaster Tony Sheumack said the results were a testament to the resilience and dedication of students and teachers, and the support of parents.

Of the 202 students across Berwick and Pakenham Campus who received ATARs, 20 students recorded higher than 90 across a broad range of 28 subjects, with 59 above 80. Beaconhills offers students a huge choice of 40 VCE subjects.

The top 20 students excelled in language subjects such as French and Japanese, English and Maths subjects, but also chose to study everything from Physics and Psychology to Theatre Studies, Software Development, Data Analytics, Biology, Legal Studies, Outdoor and Environmental Studies, Geography and Extended Investigation.

Proving that learning has no boundaries, international student Md Zabir Hossain who was studying offshore from Bangladesh managed a perfect 50 in Biology. And despite completing Year 12 online from China, Liu Zirui (Ray) triumphed with an ATAR of 92.65. And after scoring a 50 in Year 11 for Extended investigation – and a Premier’s Award – Sharni Seamons topped off her VCE with an ATAR of 99, making her Berwick Campus Dux. For outgoing Headmaster Tony Sheumack, another strong year of Beaconhills VCE results was a wonderful way to conclude his tenure.

“I am very proud of the brilliant results achieved by our 2021 students,” Mr Sheumack said.

“It has been such a privilege to be part of this fantastic community and share the successes of our students during this very challenging period. I am so proud of the staff, students and families who worked together through the lockdowns and are all part of this success story. I encourage the Class of 2021 to continue to be good citizens and make a positive difference in their chosen career.”

He said the results were also a testament to the strength of the College’s online learning program during lockdowns and the on-campus Blended Learning Program to help support frontline health workers. The College was one of only a handful of schools in the state offering this program to their international students unable to return to Australia.

Beaconhills’ two Heads of Teaching and Learning, Martin Toman (Berwick) and Hannah Johnston (Pakenham) praised teaching staff for their work through the ups and downs of the pandemic.

Mr Toman said that while teachers have had to be innovative in their practice “what has also made a difference is staff deliberately maintaining a link between the student and the school, consistently monitoring wellbeing and connectedness.”

“Beaconhills offers a wide range of subjects and employs experienced staff members who are experts in their disciplines,” he said. “So for every student the opportunity exists for them to strive for excellence and be supported by a deep knowledge base.” Hannah Johnston said the College’s Blended Learning Program was a “unique, dynamic and innovative demonstration of Beaconhills’ world class teaching and learning program”. “Students could learn face-to-face in the classroom and simultaneously online from countries all over the world,” she said.

The Victorian Minister for Education, James Merlino, said completing the final years of schooling during a global pandemic was particularly inspiring.

“I thank teachers, school staff and families, whose support through the last two, difficult years has played a huge role in the success of this year’s VCE and VCAL students,” Mr Merlino said.