90+ ATAR achievers – LtoR: David Baker – Principal, Tealia Holmes (held by David), Lally Penna, Momo Guest (held by Lally), Ben Black, Nikki Sartori (held by Ben), Lou Lou Burton, Milan Castan (held by Lou Lou), Jacomo Dwyer-Morris, Callum Lee-Smith (held by Jacomo), Nick Morrison, Bridget Richards (held by Nick and Nat), Nat McLennan – Head of Senior Campus and Haydn Flanagan – Head of Pastoral Care and Administration, Senior Years

Every year in November, we farewell a group of Year 12s, and every year we are delighted (if not surprised) at their maturity, their wisdom and worldliness. Woodleigh graduates, while each unique, have a certain way of walking in the world; full of surety, quietly confident, tuned in. You can spot a Woodleigh graduate. They are our finest achievement; wise beyond their years, caring, with a deep well of integrity.

We are incredibly proud of the efforts of our 2022 Year 12 cohort. The run-up to their VCE journey included two brutal years of pandemic education. They have persisted and applied themselves, returning to school with a renewed determination to make up for lost time.

2022 has been three years in one. While life was turned down to a simmer in 2020 and 2021, with lockdown after lockdown, 2022 has been all burners firing, full bore, all the time. These students have managed that load with grace, adaptability, and a sense of perspective, still showing up to make the most of the opportunities that have once again been offered to them. Navigating that load of study, extracurricular commitments, and part-time work, while not being at full match fitness has been a challenge they have risen to.

The Dux of The Class of 2022 is Momo Guest, who achieved the most impressive ATAR of 97.65. Jacomo Dwyer-Morris also excelled, achieving an ATAR of 96.15, and Callum Lee-Smith scored 95.4. In 2022:

• Our highest ATAR was 97.65
• 16% of Woodleigh students achieved an ATAR of 90 or more
• 31% of Woodleigh students received early offers of tertiary placement

Of the 31% who have already received tertiary offers, these offers are in fields as diverse as psychological sciences, law, nursing, media, business, sports management, design, teaching, and outdoor recreation. Enormous thanks must also go to the teaching staff and families who supported these young people through a very big year. This work happens in the background, online and in-person, from home, at odd hours, and sometimes on weekends and holidays, too, because the VCE clock never really stops ticking. We see you, and we value you, our sherpas who help these young people carry their load up the summit. To our 2022 graduates, go forth, confident in the knowledge that you have the skills, the nouse, and the tenacity to accomplish truly good things in your lifetime and make a lasting, valuable contribution to any community you choose to call home. You will always have a home here at Woodleigh.

DAVID BAKER
Principal