Last week thousands of VCE students got their ATARs and study scores, now in the aftermath they enjoy a break and start to consider what their future studies will be.
Neos Kosmos spoke to some of the high achieving VCE students about their results, future plans and connection to their Greek heritage.
Firebank Grammar School student Eva Pantelopoulos received a 98.4 ATAR and also featured in three subjects’ honours rolls: English (47), Physical Education (46) and Psychology (42).She plans to pursue a double degree in science and law at Monash University and hopes to continue law and eventually become a lawyer.
“I feel ecstatic with my result and am deeply grateful for all the opportunities that have brought me to this point,” she told Neos Kosmos.
“Achieving this ATAR fills me with excitement for the future and the many possibilities that lie ahead.”
“Seeing the score was both shocking and fulfilling—it made me truly proud of the effort I’ve invested, not only in Year 12 but throughout my entire schooling journey.”
She described her household as “chaotic” when she got her result, running into her parent’s bedroom to show them the score.
“Then this followed my dad, mum and brothers faces of disbelief, and many hugs, and maybe even some tears of joy. It was such a special moment to share with my family.”
Eva’s father is full Greek, her late papou was from Kalamata and her yiayia from Lemnos.
“Staying connected to my heritage is very important to me, and I hope to travel to both places in the future to explore my family history and deepen that connection.”
Star of the Sea College Dux is Alyssia Vais who got a 99.6 ATAR and a perfect score of 50 in English. She also got 49 in Legal Studies and 45 in Biology.
“It definitely feels very surreal and I am still very shocked,” she told Neos Kosmos.
“I am proud of the result as I think it reflected the work I put in this year. Nonetheless, I was still very surprised to have achieved that score.”
She said her family were also shocked at first but they’re very proud.
“They have consistently supported me and that did not end when I got my result.”
“Of course they called my extended family as well and everyone was very excited and happy for me.
“I was glad to have instilled such pride and happiness in my family.”
Alyssia wants to do biomedicine at the University of Melbourne for her bachelors and go into Medicine afterward.
“I would love to be a doctor in the future, most likely a surgeon or psychiatrist.”
Alyssia feels mostly connected to Greek culture through family and their events and traditions have kept her close to her Greek identity.
Her papou Con is from Argos and yiayia Vicky from Megalopolis while papou Nikos and yiayia Poppy are from Chios.
“Whilst I have not yet been to Greece, I am planning to travel in the future and visiting their hometowns would definitely grow my connection to Greek culture.”
Nikita Dassios completed Year 12 at Haileybury College and managed to achieve an ATAR score of 99.10.
He’s looking at pursuing a commerce degree at the University of Melbourne followed by the Juris Doctor with the intention of working in the investment banking sector.
This comes from his passion for finance and problem solving.
“The aftermath has been quite surreal, particularly considering that 13 years of schooling culminated into a single number,” he told Neos Kosmos.
“I am very proud considering it has always been a goal of mine to do my best when it comes to academics.”
He also had some word of advice for other VCE students.
“I did not place any unnecessary pressure on myself and feel that others should also avoid doing so.”
“This score is far from the be all end all and many opportunities will present themselves regardless of this final result for all.”
He said his family was “immensely proud” of his efforts and they played a pivotal role this year in his ability to attain the result that he did.
His mum’s side of the family is from the Peloponnese region of Greece, specifically a small village outside of Sparti called Kastri. His dad’s side of the family is from a village outside of Larissa called Karya.
“I personally am very connected to my Greek heritage. My parents instilled in me the Greek customs and traditions from a very young age, and I also have a love for the language,” he said.
“I strongly believe that young Greek-Australians should continue to learn and be proud of their heritage.
“It is imperative that we preserve our rich culture, language and history and I look forward to playing a role in its preservation throughout my life.”
Marco Pasakos achieved the highest ATAR of 99.80 at Ballarat Grammar.
He got a raw 47 in Chemistry, 40 in Specialist Maths, 45 in Literature and a perfect score of 50 in Biology.
Last year he was featured in Neos Kosmos’s high achievers list with a 44 in Mathematical Methods and 46 in Environmental Science.
“I was completely surprised and elated by my ATAR results. I did not expect to receive such a high score, so when I checked it I was in total disbelief,” Marco told Neos Kosmos.
“My results were especially surprising as throughout the year, I expected Biology to be my worst performing subject, to the point where I told my Biology teacher, friends and family that it was definitely going to be my lowest score. Hence, when I opened my results to see I had achieved a perfect score of 50 in the subject, I gasped and then laughed at myself.
“When I went to school that day to celebrate my results, after congratulating me, my Biology teacher laughed at me for dismissing my abilities in the subject throughout the year.”
Marco hopes to study a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science Honours Advanced (Scholar’s Program) at Monash University or Bachelor of Science majoring in Chemistry at Melbourne University.
This year was also difficult for his family as his younger brother was very unwell and spent a lot of time at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
“This was quite a stressful and difficult time, but as he regained his health throughout the year and life began to return to normal,” he said.
“During this time I had to become more independent at home and with my studies.”
Marco’s yiayia and papou are originally from Kos and often spoke fondly about the beauty and culture of the island.
Being from Ballarat, he said he is excited to move to Melbourne to further immerse in his Greek heritage for he has a strong sense of belonging with the community and remembers celebrating name days, going to church in South Melbourne for Easter and spending time with his grandparents.
Amelie Elektra Gardiakos has attended Kardinia International College in Geelong since three-year-old kindergarten. That equates to 15 years at the same school and has achieved a near perfect study score of 49 in her Year 12 Business Management & 45 in Psychology.
She achieved an ATAR of 97.85 and has applied for a Bachelor of Commerce at Melbourne University.
“I’m definitely proud of the results that I achieved during VCE. It does feel surreal since finishing high school as I’m very grateful for my time spent at Kardinia. Although this chapter is ending I am very excited for what the future holds,” Amelie told Neos Kosmos.
She said her family were very proud and were glad her hard work paid off.
Her grandparents on her father’s side were both originally from Greece.
Her and her family visited Greece some years ago saw the village and houses that her grandparents both grew up in.
“The village is in the Peloponnese and not far from Kalamata. It was a great experience and I cannot wait to go back again and really enjoy more of the Greek culture and lifestyle now that I am older.”
The Greek Community of Melbourne has an Annual High Achievers Awards Night and there Amelie received a certificate of excellence for her score of 49 in Business Management.
