Students at the multi-campus St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School have celebrated the end of VCE with more than a quarter of achieving an ATAR over 90.

The 2022 Dux of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School is Xavier Haberl of Traralgon, who received an ATAR of 99.5. Xavier also achieved two perfect scores of 50 for Health and Human Development and History: Revolutions. Close behind were: Mitchell Bellingham of Traralgon on 98.45, Alexandar Mirkovic of Warragul on 98.35 and Mia Edhouse of Warragul on 97.3.

Other very high achievers included Dakota Sabine of Longwarry on 95.65, Noah Clark of Warragul on 95.6, Sanya Palta of Warragul on 95.3, Mia McCrohan of Neerim South on 95.3 and Charlotte Fraser of Warragul on 95.25. The school has campuses in Warragul and Traralgon, but VCE is currently only offered in Warragul.

The school said it was incredibly proud of the way the class of 2022 had transitioned back to a full year of onsite learning. They had applied themselves to their studies in a dedicated and enthusiastic manner and balanced this with involvement in a wide array of co-curricular pursuits. “The class of 2022 approached this year with maturity and good humour and have actively pursued their potential to achieve remarkable results,” the school said.

Xavier Haberl said there were no secrets to his success.

“I was lucky enough to work with a supportive family, excellent staff, and be surrounded by a fantastic Year 12 cohort. It’s truly a team effort and takes so many dedicated and caring individuals,” he said.

“Family and everyone at school helped me throughout the year. It also took consistent hard work and long hours of study to stay on top of coursework, but a healthy life balance of work, school and social activities is important.”

The St Paul’s Dux student said he was shocked when he saw the text message with his results on Monday morning.

“It’s so hard to predict and expect VCE results. I was happy following the exams, but was not expecting the study scores and ATAR which I was lucky enough to receive,” Xavier said.

“Super excited after a period of genuine disbelief, and so grateful once I received the news of becoming Dux. An honour which I could’ve never wished for or dreamed of, but an honour I will cherish.

“I’m hoping to study Law and Biomedical Science at Monash University, hopefully working in immunology or genetics for the science background. Not 100 per cent set on my future career, but hoping to keep my options open and see where the future takes me.”

Xavier will soon be enjoying a month-long holiday with his family to the United States, a well-deserved break before he moves onto university residence next year. He may be saying goodbye to Year 12, but he will always treasure the experiences.

“I cannot thank my family enough for the support and guidance throughout my entire life. And thanks to all the St Paul’s teachers, whose unwavering dedication, consistent hard work, and care for the entire student body, allows for the impressive results seen across the Year 12 cohort,” he said.

In all, 26 per cent of St Paul’s students achieved an ATAR over 90 and 69 per cent of students achieved an ATAR over 70.

The percentage of students who achieved an ATAR of over 80 was 48 per cent, placing them in the top 20 per cent of the state.

This year’s cohort have a variety of plans for the immediate future from tertiary study in areas such as health and engineering, apprenticeships, Australian Defence Force traineeships and work.

St Paul’s said they were incredibly proud of the class of 2022 and wished them the very best for the future.