DALIA SABLE

STUDENTS at Melbourne’s Jewish schools have again finished in the top one per cent of the state, according to VCE results released this week.

At least two pupils at each Jewish school received marks over 99, with one or more students at all schools attaining perfect study scores.

While two Bialik College students and one Leibler Yavneh College student gained the highest ENTER scores among pupils at Jewish schools (99.9), Mount Scopus Memorial College led the charge, with 17 per cent of the 128 graduating students receiving marks above 99.

Mount Scopus Memorial College

A further 51 per cent of Mount Scopus students scored above 95, and 68 per cent above 90. Three pupils shared the top mark of 99.85, and 25 perfect study scores were recorded by 22 students in nine subjects, including 11 in English.

Principal Rabbi James Kennard said: “We always have high expectations, but these record-breaking results exceeded all our hopes.

“It is always pleasing to see among the highest achievers students who have benefited extensively from, and contributed to, Scopus’ Jewish life and extracurricular opportunities.”

Bialik College

At Bialik College, 11 students scored in the top percentile of the state, with a further 37 receiving marks above 95, and almost 64 per cent attaining scores above 90.

Principal Joseph Gerassi said that “Bialik is characterised by the strong relationship between its students and their teachers, and it is this partnership to which we attribute the wonderful VCE results”.

“We are also proud of the skills our students have developed across a broad range of endeavours throughout their schooling at Bialik.”

Leibler Yavneh College

At Leibler Yavneh College, where 41 pupils graduated, and Beth Rivkah Ladies College, where 45 students completed VCE, more than half of both classes scored above 90, with 10 per cent at both schools ranked in the top one per cent.

Yavneh principal Roy Steinman said: “We’re tremendously excited with these results.

“Even more impressive than the spectacular results of those who scored in the top one per cent of the state, or those who achieved perfect scores, is the fact that more than half our students found themselves in the top 10 per cent of the state.”

Beth Rivkah

Beth Rivkah principal Samuel Gurewicz expressed his delight for the students and their parents.

“Naturally, I am delighted. Happy for the students and their parents, happy for the school. The students worked hard and have achieved great results,” he said.

“However, what makes me really happy is the way this group of girls turned out. They are a source of pride to their parents, to Beth Rivkah and to the whole Jewish community.”

“What makes me really happy is the way this group of girls turned out. They are a source of pride to their parents, to Beth Rivkah and to the whole Jewish community.”

King David School

The King David School also recorded top results, with six per cent of its 52 VCE graduates scoring above 99 and 46 per cent, or 24 students, receiving marks above 90.

Principal Michele Bernshaw said: “Excellence in academic results, in creative and critical thinking and most importantly in character development, is the focus of King David.”

Yeshivah College

With its best results ever, Yeshivah College had nine out of 15 students score over 90, with two in the class, or 13 per cent, receiving marks over 99.

Head of campus Bradley Phillips said: “The performance of our candidates is very pleasing and a credit to the work and efforts of all students.

“The results are reflective of the ability and commitment of our students and their success will assist them in their future lives.”

Top students from each school

Bialik College

Ian Metz, 99.9
Benjamin Pojer, 99.9

Subjects: Ian - English, accounting, specialist maths, maths methods, religion and society, tertiary accounting.

Benjamin - English, Hebrew, maths methods, specialist maths, further maths, chemistry, biology.

IAN Metz and Benjamin Pojer have more in common than just sharing the top mark at Bialik College. While both were very focused on their VCE during the year, they also spent time at their respective youth movements and will spend next year in Israel — Ian with Habonim Dror and Benjamin with Hashomer Hatzair.

Upon their return, Ian is weighing up either studying a law/commerce double degree at Monash University, or pursuing his love of music at the Victorian College of the Arts.

Either way, he said he was “stoked” with his results, not because he topped the year, but rather because it means the possibility of university scholarships.

When Benjamin’s SMS came through, he rechecked the results on the computer, thinking there may have been a mistake.

“I was ecstatic, elated, no words can describe what it felt like to turn over and see the SMS with those numbers,” said Benjamin, who hopes to study medicine following a “well-earned break”.

Leibler Yavneh

Tal Ellinson, 99.9

Subjects: English, maths methods, psychology, specialist maths, drama, chemistry.

TAL Ellinson stayed up all night with his friends in anticipation of their VCE results, returning home to check the internet just before his score was released.

He said he was “ecstatic” upon seeing all the nines on the computer screen, but he didn’t know he had topped the year until hours later, when he received a phone call from the school.

Tal will spend next year on yeshivah in Israel with youth movement Bnei Akivah, after which he plans to return to study an arts/science double degree at Monash University — a course he selected based on his interests, not his potential marks.

He said that year 12 was “one of the best years” of his school life, and while he focused on his studies, he said his life was “reasonably balanced”.

Mount Scopus Memorial College

Karen Freilich, 99.85
Joshua Ludski, 99.85
Michael Turin, 99.85

Subjects: Karen - English, Hebrew, chemistry, maths methods, specialist maths, religion and society.

Joshua - English, Hebrew, religion and society, accounting, chemistry, maths methods.

Michael - English, Hebrew, religion and society, history revolutions, further maths, maths methods.

TOP students Karen Freilich, Joshua Ludski and Michael Thurin each found their VCE year a positive experience. While their studies were the priority, all three said they went out every weekend and ensured they took part in extracurricular activities.

For Karen, youth movement Hineni and spending time with her friends were priorities. While she plans to spend next year in Israel with Hineni, she hopes to study medicine upon her return.

In addition to receiving the same marks, “close mates” Joshua and Michael both plan to go straight to university to study law/commerce double degrees. Sport played an important role this year for the two students, with both playing football.

While Michael received his results with his mum online, Joshua was on a plane when the SMS came through moments before take-off. He had the flight to Sydney to enjoy the glory on his own, before calling his family after landing.

When reflecting on the year, Michael said consistency is key and Joshua emphasised the importance of having a life and interests outside of school.

Beth Rivkah

Bina Perelman, 99.85

Subjects: English as a second language, Hebrew, chemistry, biology, specialist maths, maths methods.

HAVING moved to Australia from Israel at the end of year 7, Bina Perelman was not expecting to top her year at Beth Rivkah Ladies College.

While she was hoping to do well enough to achieve her dream of studying medicine, she did not anticipate receiving a mark over 99 and said she will now have to reassess her preferences accordingly.

“I was speechless for about five minutes, then I started crying as my parents cried and then I was jumping up and down.”

For Bina, year 12 was a difficult year, but having the support of her teachers, family and friends made it easier to “stay motivated”, and this is precisely her advice to others.

“Think about the end but don’t forget the present,” she said. “Surround yourself with people who are willing to help and support you.”

King David School

Ryan Dean, 99.7

Subjects: English, biology, chemistry, maths methods, further maths, psychology.

A LEG injury that stopped him from playing football was about all that dampened Ryan Dean’s final year at school.

While year 12 can be a stressful time for many, Ryan referred to his as “fun”, saying that while he studied, he also enjoyed playing sports, socialising with friends and the school formal.

With the ambition of studying medicine, Ryan was hoping to do well, but “definitely did not” expect to top his class.

He was shocked but pleased to receive his mark, hoping to begin his studies at Monash University, or even interstate, next year. As for his advice for next year’s graduating class?

“Be honest with yourself and rather than being afraid of your weaknesses, tackle them,” he said.

Yeshivah College

Yakir Landau, 99.6

Subjects: English, Hebrew, specialist maths, maths methods, chemistry, physics.

DESPITE opting to receive his marks via SMS, Yakir Landau only received part of his results. In eagerness, he jumped onto the computer, and what he saw was “very unexpected”.

Landau said that aside from some heated table tennis matches in the VCE common room and his piano playing, he stayed very focused on his studies.

Regardless of the almost perfect score, he will not study medicine as he had hoped, instead applying for engineering. Yakir will spend next year in Israel at a yeshivah in Jerusalem, after which he hopes to return for university.

Asked what advice he would give to others, he said “keep focused. It’s hard at the time but it ends.”

Photo gallery: Top students from Melbourne’s Jewish schools