Casey Grammar School’s Juna Gemmell has been honoured with a Premier’s VCE Award after scoring a perfect 50 in Outdoor and Environmental Studies during Year 11 in 2021.
The Premier’s VCE Awards recognise the outstanding results of individual students and pays tribute to the principals, teachers and families who play a valuable role in supporting these students during their VCE studies.
Ms Gemmell, 17, completed Units 3 and 4 Outdoor and Environmental Studies in 2021 as an accelerated subject in Year 11.
Casey Grammar School Principal Fiona Williams says the award is exciting news and well deserved.
“Juna’s achievement epitomises the emphasis on excellence that we instil in all our students,” Ms Williams said.
“It’s an incredible achievement for a Year 11 student.
“Ten of Juna’s classmates received a study score of 40 or above, which places each of them in the top six-to-seven per cent in the state.
“The average study score of 39.05 places Casey Grammar School among the state’s highest performing classes in this subject.”
The awards were presented in a special ceremony on Thursday 20 July.
Ms Williams added that Juna is also an excellent swimmer, but focussed on her studies in 2021 and again this year for Year 12.
“Juna has an incredible work ethic and dedication,” Ms Williams said.
“She perseveres and seeks help and clarity when needed.
“Juna completed many, many, practice exam questions and reviewed sample responses to aid her understanding and knowledge.
“This is a huge achievement as she now has a great head start into her final year of schooling.”
Juna and her 2021 Outdoor and Environmental Studies classmates regularly worked together in study groups to challenge and encourage each other to do their best, both online during Covid-19 and once they returned to school.
Fellow Outdoor and Environmental Studies student, Olivia Berry, achieved an outstanding study score of 48 placing her in the top 0.5% of students in that subject, Ms Williams said.
Juna’s Outdoor and Environmental Studies teacher, Anthony Brown, said it was, “extremely exciting and rewarding” to have played a role in Ms Gemmell’s success.
“To say that I am proud of Juna and the rest of the class is an understatement,” he said.
