In terms of coping with the pressures that are part of VCE, Daragh says the support of friends and managing study with social opportunities in Year 12 helped him achieve a healthy balance.
“Looking to my friends, embracing social opportunities and being in regular contact with my teachers really made a difference in keeping me grounded and managing my expectations of myself,” he says.
Daragh is currently studying Jazz and Improvisation at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, which he hopes will lead to a career in performance.
For Archie Antonopoulos (OH 2023), who received a Premier’s VCE Award for Sociology, ‘discipline and consistency’ were the secret of his success.
“I studied almost every single day in Years 11 and 12 and that allowed me to complete set work and additional work. This significantly enhanced my understanding and made me feel comfortable and less nervous before key assessments,” says Archie.
“I’m also a strong believer in staying as organised as possible – I created timetables that mapped out what had to be completed every day and tracked the amount of time I studied daily. So, I was never really under any overwhelming pressure during Year 12, even during peak exam period.”
Archie is studying Commerce at the University of Melbourne as a Commerce Achievement Scholarship recipient.
Derek says the diversity of subjects for which Haileybury students have received Premier’s VCE Awards this year showcases the breadth and depth of opportunities for students at the School.
“Every young person has different interests and passions and many different subjects awaken their curiosity and spark a love of learning that we hope students carry with them for the rest of their life. I am delighted to see so many young people recognised for that love of learning and I wish them the best of luck as they take the next step in their journey.”