Scotch College

Class of 2004 all-round results

December 13, 2004, brought very good news indeed to the vast majority of Scotch students of the Class of 2004. After thirteen years of schooling, culminating in the final VCE examinations, they could breathe a sigh of relief and look with enormous enthusiasm to tertiary study, overseas travel, gap work or employment.

Two students, Wilson Zhang and Zi Yi Low, achieved the highest ENTER possible, 99.95. Wilson achieved a study score of 50 (the highest study score possible) in Year 11 in both Music and Mathematical Methods. In Year 12 he attained 50 in English. Zi Yi Low achieved a study score of 50 in both Chemistry and English Language in Year 12.

Twenty-four students attained an ENTER of 99 and above, 118 boys achieved 90 and above, and more boys than ever before achieved an ENTER of 80 and above. Five boys in Year 11 – Stephen Muirhead, Jack Li, Alistair Harkness, Timothy Ho and Chris Sia – achieved a study score of 50 in Mathematical Methods, which is extremely promising for the Class of 2005. Wilson Zhang and Zi Yi Low each won a full scholarship to study medicine at Monash University (but chose instead to study at Melbourne University) and David Johnstone won a significant scholarship to study computer engineering at Swinburne University of Technology. James Wan was offered a full General Excellence Scholarship to the University of Tasmania (but again chose to study at Melbourne University). A number of boys have chosen to study interstate, in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney. Several have recently studied in the USA and England.

Six students have also been awarded Premier’s Awards: Samuel Blanch (Political Studies), Christopher Blanks (Year 11; Equine Industry – VCE VET), Andrew Kemp (Political Studies), James Wan (Mathematics), Wilson Zhang (Top All-Round Achiever) and Zi Yi Low. The Premier’s Awards recognise the very highest achievers in each study in Victoria and are truly a testament to these boys’ levels of excellence in their studies.

As part of the VCE Season of Excellence, six Drama students – Chris Anderson, Fraser Cahill, John Crozier-Durham, Tom Robinson, David Kirszenblat and Simon Wolfe – were invited to audition for Top Acts. This is the largest number of Scotch boys to be so invited, and indicates that each achieved a perfect score for their externally assessed solo performance. Chris Anderson (School Captain for 2005) has been successful in his audition and will be appearing in Top Acts in April. Chris Tyas completed Design Technology in Year 11 last year. His beautiful piece of furniture was selected to be shown at the Top Designs exhibition at the Melbourne Musuem and has been admired by the many visitors to the exhibition.

What is particularly pleasing about the Class of 2004 is that so many students worked towards achieving personal excellence. Of course not every student attains a truly stratospheric ENTER, but there have been many stories of deep satisfaction when results have vindicated long hours of hard work and a steady commitment to study. Nearly 97% of the Class of 2004 received a first round- offer, and of the very few who missed out, nearly all received a second-round offer. A number of boys who gained modest ENTERs have secured a place at a tertiary institution based on their outstanding folio work. The Class of 2004 can be very pleased with their results and the steps they have taken to ensure a challenging and exciting future beyond Scotch. Our congratulations go to all students in the Class and our best wishes for the future.

What are some of the Class of 2004 doing right now?

Luke Stokes Luke was offered a wonderful opportunity to work in Scotland as the recipient of the Melbourne Scots Scholarship. This scholarship, awarded on the recommendation of the Principal, encourages a Year 12 student to complete a gap year in Scotland and to develop an appreciation of Scotland’s heritage and culture. Luke is currently at the Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, Perthshire, and is, in his words, ‘having a ball’. The Scots Church and Scotch College look forward to hearing about Luke’s endeavours at the QVS and his experiences in Scotland.
William England William England was offered a place to study landscape architecture at RMIT. This was William’s first choice of course and he is delighted to be one of only 33 Year 12 students to be offered a place. After rigorous interviews and a demanding selection process, he began his studies in March.
Alexander Campbell Alexander was most noted for his ability in the arts subjects and his brilliant rugby play. He is studying at Griffith University and is pursuing his rugby career in Queensland.
David Kirszenblat David is currently working at the Institut de Rosey in Switzerland as a laboratory assistant. He applied late last year, as did several other Year 12 boys, and was appointed after some consideration by the Head of Campus at the Institut. David is thoroughly enjoying working as a lab technician, brushing up on his skiing and using the outside snow to keep laboratory items cold instead of fridges!

As the year unfolds, no doubt we will hear more of the exploits of the Class of 2004.