By BRIDGET COOK
HARD work and tireless studying has paid off for students across Casey this week as they celebrate becoming the dux of their schools.
All the schools in the Cranbourne and Hampton Park areas had duxes who achieved an ATAR score of more than 90, something all the principals are proud of.
Hillcrest Christian College’s Hannah Tay was her school’s dux with a score of 99.30, placing her in the top 1 per cent of the state.
St Peter’s College Cranbourne principal Tim Hogan congratulated the school’s dux Deep Patel, who is currently in India, for receiving a score of 97.35.
“We have four students in the 90s, and about 10 per cent above 80,” he said.
“So we are very pleased that their hard work and work ethic has paid off with great results for those students.”
Cranbourne Secondary College’s dux was Emma Stefanovic, with a score of 96.65 and a perfect study score of 50 in English.
Hampton Park Secondary College’s dux was Frances Ellayne Garcia, who received a score of 95.60.
Frances said she was incredibly happy and surprised with the score.
“I was not expecting to get a score high enough to get into the course I wanted, moreover being dux of my school,” she said.
“I feel very blessed that all those hours of hard work have paid off and I also feel very grateful for the people who have supported me.
“This has undoubtedly increased my self-esteem as a person.”
Frances said she was unsure of her specific career path yet but wanted to go to university and pursue a degree in the field of science or health science.
Lyndhurst Secondary College dux was Alex Smit-Geason, who scored a 90.8.
Alex said she couldn’t believe she achieved such a great result.
“I was not expecting that at all,” she said.
“I was aiming for a 65-70 so I can get into primary school teaching, so I’m definitely thrilled with what I got.
“I put a ridiculous amount of hours into studying, so it’s great it paid off.
“My parents are extremely proud.”
