VCE Academic Excellence

From the moment Amelia commenced at Fintona in Year 7, 2019, she embraced all that was on offer. This included annual involvement in the School Play, with a lead role in the Musical, Xanadu, in 2024; Fintona Voices, the School Choir and Senior Rock Band; School representation in Cross Country, Triathlon and Netball; finalist in the Elizabeth M Butt Public Speaking competition; annual involvement in the Debating Association of Victoria competition, including receiving a Swannie Award; and the Bond University National High School Mooting Grand Final winner, including Runner up best oralist.

Amelia has received numerous awards in State and National competitions throughout her time at the School, achieved her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and was nominated by her peers as the Girl who made a difference to the life of the School in her year level in 2020.

As Clarke House Captain in 2024, Amelia has been a fine leader of her House and an impressive role model for younger students. She has excelled in all her undertakings and her academic achievements have been outstanding. Amelia was the recipient of the School’s Prize for History (2023), the Prize for Economics, the Prize for General Mathematics and the Prize for Latin. These awards are a testament to her academic strengths and commitment to her studies, and indeed, everything that she undertakes.

An avid learner with interests in a wide range of subjects, we have witnessed her many creative talents which have been recognised as a recipient of School Colours for her House (Clarke), and in Debating, Drama and Public Speaking.

Maggie has been an exemplary student in every regard. Her academic interests and strengths include Chemistry, English, Economics, Japanese, Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics. Throughout her time at the School, Maggie has received numerous awards in State and National competitions, as well as being recognised as a student with high academic potential, having been awarded a Monash (University) Scholars Award in 2022.

Maggie joined Fintona in Year 6, 2018, and has truly lived our motto Age Quod Agis, ‘do what you do well’. Along with her academic prowess, Maggie is a keen sportsperson, having represented the School in AFL, Netball, Cross Country, Swimming, Triathlon, Softball and Rowing, and received School Colours in House (Ower), Netball and Rowing.

Embracing all on offer at Fintona, Maggie has also represented the School in the Debating Association of Victoria competition, achieved a Bronze Award in the Duke of Edinburgh program, performed at the Annual Music Concert and been an active participant in all things ‘purple’, representing her House, Ower, in the many sporting and cultural competitions over her time at the School.

As Ower House Captain in her final year, Maggie has been an inspiring influence and role model for her peers and younger students. She has led with confidence and has been a supporting and caring member of the Year 12 cohort.

Saria has embraced everything Fintona has to offer from her commencement at the school in Year 5, 2017. This has included time on the stage in School Plays, as well as working backstage on productions; involvement in the Debating Association of Victoria competition, Shakespeare Day performances, Elizabeth M Butt Public Speaking competitions, and the Bond University National High School Mooting Grand Final winner, including Best oralist in the Grand Final.

Saria has been the recipient of a long list of awards and prizes, in and out of school, with her VCE academic performances gifting her the Prize for English, the Prize for French and the Prize for Literature, along with external awards including the Alison Harcourt Award, acknowledging students from Kooyong who have demonstrated outstanding community service and citizenship.

She has achieved School Colours in Debating, Drama, House (Maxwell) and Music, was nominated by her peers as the Girl who made a difference to the life of the School in her year level in 2021 and was appointed Environment Captain in 2024. Throughout her years at the School Saria has been a member of the School’s Green Team, having been an avid champion of the environment and sustainability practices. Her pro-active attitude and work rewarded the School with its fourth sustainability star and drew recognition as the City of Boroondara’s Youth Award winner in the Environment & Sustainability.

A true believer in humanity and justice, Saria has strong and worthy opinions, and these are reflected in her writing. She is an accomplished writer whose opinion pieces have been published in The Age.

Saria has led with a strong sense of purpose, fostering teamwork and influencing students with her positive attitude. She has been a disciplined student who has made a significant contribution to both the school and the wider community.

Leila has been an exemplary student with her academic strengths being in Mathematics, Science and Music. She has contributed positively to the wider community through the leadership role of Music Captain in 2023 and has been an active contributor in Tutor Group.

Leila has led with confidence and has been a role model for her peers and younger students. Her musical talent is noteworthy, and she was a member of the symphonic ensemble and chamber orchestra. She has achieved Music Colours and has performed and MC’d at school events with a confident presence on stage. She has also volunteered and assisted wherever necessary within the arts and academic areas of the curriculum in addition to an active involvement in House and sporting competitions including GSV Basketball.

Leila studied Unit 3&4 Chemistry, English, Latin, Physics and Specialist Mathematics in Year 12 and Mathematical Methods in Year 11, and was awarded the subject prizes in Chemistry and Physics.

Throughout her time at Fintona, Dora has been an engaged and hard-working student who has been involved in all aspects of her education. As STEM Captain in 2023, Jiayi has contributed to many STEM activities throughout her final year of schooling, including volunteering at lunchtime to run a popular STEM Club to develop interest in younger students. An avid learner and with interests in a wide range of subjects she has also found time for her extra-curricular pursuits including DAV Debating and secured a win at the Interschool Ecomomics Debate.

Dora has been of great assistance to the Science Faculty throughout the year and is always willing and determined in everything she undertakes.

Dora studied Unit 3&4 Economics, English, Latin, Psychology and Specialist Mathematics in Year 12 and Chinese Second Language Advanced and Mathematical Methods in Year 11, and was awarded the subject prizes in Economics, English, Latin, Mathematical Methods and Psychology.

Throughout her eight years at Fintona, Keira exhibited the highest standards as a learner. Comments from Keira’s teachers regularly highlighted her commitment to excellence, actively seeking feedback, and thorough grasp of the concepts she studied. 

In Year 11, Keira studied Unit 3/4 in Mathematical Methods, and Unit 3/4 Chinese Second Language. In Year 12, Keira studied English, Accounting, Biology, Chemistry and Psychology, achieving the School prize for Accounting and Chemistry. 

Keira regularly participated in national competitions in mathematics, achieving both Distinction and High Distinctions, as well as being in the top 10% for the Mathematics Olympiad. In science competitions, Keira had similar success, including a High Distinction in the Science Olympiad. 

Keira has balanced her academic studies with an ongoing commitment to School activities. She has been a School Student Representative, achieved her Bronze Medal in the Duke of Edinbugh Awards, and been a Tour Ambassador for the School. 

With a passion for excellence in her chosen activities, Keira was an ardent participant in House sporting and cultural competitions, receiving House Colours for her engagement, spirit and leadership. She also represented Fintona in a range of sports, including Swimming, Softball and Triathlon, and was an accomplished musician and member of the School’s Chamber Orchestra, Chamber Choir, Fintona Voices and String Ensemble. 

In her final year of secondary education, Keira was the STEM Captain, leading clubs and activities for interested students. 

Keira has given her all to both her academic and co-curricular pursuits during her time at school. An engaged, caring and humble young woman, she gave herself every opportunity to achieve an outstanding VCE result. 

Livia has been an enthusiastic and dedicated student since beginning at Fintona in Year 5. She has embraced every opportunity provided her both through the curriculum and extra-curricular activities, from House competitions, public speaking, debating, school plays, sport, music, chess, and Tournament of the Minds, to name a few. This is alongside a bevy of Awards in national competitions in economics, mathematics and science, which included her involvement in several Mathematics Olympiad competitions and an Economics Olympiad competition.  

Livia was already displaying leadership qualities in her Middle School years and with her passion for public speaking and debating, has grown into a fine orator who displays a confidence and maturity beyond her years. Livia has been a participant in the Duke of Edinburgh program, achieving a Silver Award, and a regular participant in Shakespeare Day and the Elizabeth M Butt Public Speaking Finals. She has received School Colours in Debating, Drama and House, reflecting her participation, success and leadership in these domains. A keen interest in theatre, Livia has been involved in school plays throughout her time at Fintona and was the recipient of the Theatre Studies Prize in Year 11 for her academic studies in this area. 

In Year 11, Livia studied Unit 3/4 Mathematical Methods and Unit 3/4 Theatre Studies. In Year 12, Livia studied Unit 3/4 English, Economics, History-Revolutions, Literature and Latin, and was awarded academic prizes in English and Literature. 

As Debating Captain in 2022, Livia used the opportunity to encourage girls to become involved and develop their debating skills and their confidence. Most recently Livia was the recipient of the DAV Swannie Award – Best Overall, was a member of the state champion debating team as a Year 10 student, and went on to represent the Australian team in the world debating schools competition on several occasions.  

We wish Livia well as she embarks on the next chapter of her educational journey and know that she will continue to challenge herself in all her future endeavours. 

Jasmine joined Fintona as a Grade 6 student in 2015.  She has consistently been involved in the life of the School throughout her seven years, taking part in co-curricular and House competitions, rowing, the Duke of Edinburgh program and Girls Sport Victoria (GSV) teams. During her Middle School years Jasmine was a consistent member of the GSV Netball and Tennis teams.

This was alongside her membership of the Fintona Rowing Crew and participation in the World Challenge Expedition to South Arica, Lesotho and Mozambique.

Jasmine’s co-curricular involvement also extended to the arts and music having performed at Fintona’s traditional Shakespeare Day twice. Throughout her time in the Senior School Jasmine has also performed at Harp and Piano Soirees, the School’s Annual Music Concert and supported other performers as stage crew for the School Play.

Jasmine has been equally successful in academic competitions regularly taking part in the Australian Mathematics Competition, the Computational and Algorithmic Thinking competition, History and Geography Challenges, The Berthe Mouchette Poetry Competition and both Mathematics and Science Olympiads. She has also represented the School at United Nations Days, Davinci Decathalon, Melbourne University Engineering Days and the EVATT UN Security Council events.

An all-rounder, Jasmine has achieved House and Debating Colours throughout her time in the Senior School and has also excelled in the key role as Debating Captain, having been involved in debating since Year 7. As a leader Jasmine is kind, gentle and calm in her coaching and leadership of younger debating teams.

In 2021 Jasmine studied Chemistry (46), English (49), Japanese (40), Physics (33) and Specialist Mathematics (48) building on her excellent results in 2020 in Chinese (Second Language Advanced) (44) and Mathematical Methods (43).

Lily began at Fintona in Year 10, 2019 embracing all that the School had to offer.  A regular member of the GSV Tennis and Badminton teams, Lily also performed in the School’s Shakespeare Day, Annual Music Concert and the Guitar and Percussion Soirees.  A regular debater throughout her time at Fintona she also represented Fintona in both the Intermediate and Senior DAV competitions receiving School Debating Colours.

Lily has passionately represented the School in the VCAA Plain English Speaking Award and Mental Health Future Leaders Conference, and in her final year was Fintona’s STEM Captain supporting staff in the running of Science and Mathematics events, and regularly taking part in competitions such as the Australian Mathematics Competition, Melbourne University Mathematics Competition and the Big Science Awards.

In 2021 Lily studied Accounting (45), Chemistry (42), English (EAL) (44), Physics (46) and Specialist Mathematics (45) building on her excellent result in 2020 Mathematical Methods of a perfect study score of 50.

Ellen joined Fintona as a Year 10 student and quickly immersed herself in the music program as well as numerous service and community events.  An accomplished violinist, Ellen was first violin in the School’s Orchestra, also performing as lead violinist in Tourmont Strings and assisting with the development of our more junior violin students in Buick Strings.

An all-rounder, Ellen received awards and recognition in the areas of Economics, English, French and Music, participated in Shakespeare Day, Economics debate and performed on numerous occasions such as soirees, concerts and tour mornings. Complementing these achievements and engagement, Ellen represented her House in cross country, music, summer sport, drama, netball and athletics, as well as representing the School in Soccer.  In the area of community service, Ellen was a regular participant in Relay for Life and the Junior School Buddy program.  External to the school Ellen has spent a number of years as a member of the Melbourne Strings Ensemble, leading and supporting.  Having studied Unit 3&4 Accounting in Year 11, Ellen pursued Chemistry, Economics, English, French, and Mathematical Methods in her final year, as well as being Captain of Music.

Anya commenced her education at Fintona in Year 5 and was also very much engaged in the life of the school.  During her Middle School years Anya was elected as a Tutor Group Representative and SRC Representative and demonstrated her breath of involvement over the course of her eight years, representing the School in debating (both intermediate and senior school teams) and through her involvement in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, United Nations Youth Association program, Superhack, World Challenge (Costa Rica), Relay for Life community program and taking part in School performances including the production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Anya has also represented the School and her House in numerous sports, including AFL, cross country, rowing, softball, hockey, athletics and cricket.

Anya demonstrates quiet and strong leadership skills, this year being appointed as the School’s Debating Captain. She has also been awarded House Colours, an Intermediate Sport Service Award and Debating Colours.  With Mathematical Methods completed in Year 11, Anya studied Chemistry, English, French, Japanese and Specialist Mathematics in Year 12.