2025 Year 12 Academic Awards Ceremony

Last Thursday, we had the great pleasure of welcoming our high-achieving Year 12 students from 2025 to recognise and celebrate their dedication, growth and achievements. 

The students we acknowledged demonstrated consistent effort and a genuine commitment to their studies. Whether through their chosen VCE subjects or their applied learning pathway, they showed a strong work ethic, steady engagement, and a willingness to challenge themselves and grow. 

We also acknowledged our teachers, support staff, and families for creating the environment in which our students can flourish.

It was inspiring to have our College Dux, Jordan Nidras, speak to our community and share his inspiration with us all. Jordan encouraged our current Year 12 students to be consistent with their studies, to set ambitious yet achievable goals and to enjoy the year so they can walk away feeling satisfied they did their very best and invigorated for what lies ahead. You can read his speech below.

Below is a full list of our 2025 Year 12 awards recipients.

College Dux

Jordan Nidras, who achieved an ATAR of 98.30

VCE VM Awards

Unit 3 and 4 Subject Duxes

Cassandra Camilleri - Literacy

Sione Fonua - Numeracy

Riley Grech - Work-Related Skills

Tyniha Hawira - Personal Development

2025 VET Dux

Joshua Saliba

2025 VPC Dux

Belinda McGuffie

2025 VCE VM Unit 3/4 Dux

Sione Fonua

2025 IVET Excellence Award recipient 

Belinda McGuffie

Unit 3 and 4 VCE and VCE/VET Awards

Year 11 students who have excelled in their academic studies are also eligible to receive these awards.

VCE Unit 3 and 4 Subject Duxes

Students who attained the highest study score in their subject. The study score must be above 35 for acknowledgement.

High Achiever Study Score Awards

The following students achieved a score of 40 or higher out of 50 in a Unit 3/4 subject, scaled or unscaled. This score places them in the top 10% of the State.

High Achiever ATAR Awards

These awards are presented to those students who achieved the highest ATARS above 85 at the College, placing them in the top 15% of students across the state.

Jordan Nidras achieved an ATAR of 98.30 and will study Science at the University of Melbourne.

Emischa Morales achieved an ATAR of 97.05 and will study Commerce/Law at the University of Melbourne.

Cara Reading achieved a perfect score of 50 in Health and Human Development and an ATAR of 96.65. Cara will study Nursing/Paramedicine at the Australian Catholic University.

Emma Presnell achieved an ATAR of 94.10 and will study Speech Pathology at Australian Catholic University.

Lucy Thompson achieved an ATAR of 92.80 and will study Design at the University of Melbourne.

Talank Srikumar achieved an ATAR of 91.50 and will study Medicine at Monash University.

Keely-Shae Clark achieved an ATAR of 90.60 and will study Education (Primary & Secondary) at Australian Catholic University.

Jasmine Van Berkel achieved an ATAR of 88.90 and will be study Science at the University of Melbourne.

Lucas Perry achieved an ATAR of 88.30 and will study Accounting and Finance at Australian Catholic University.

Leadership Awards

ADF Long Tan Future Innovators Award - Mikaela Mendoza

This award recognises a student interested in science and mathematics who demonstrated strong abilities in these areas in 2025. The recipient must display strong values, such as doing one's best, respect for others, and an interest in STEM for future innovation.

ADF Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Award - Emma Presnell

This award recognises a student who demonstrates leadership and teamwork within both the school and the broader community. The recipient must display strong values, such as doing one's best, respect for others, and mateship; qualities that are highly regarded and integral to Australian society.

Ampol Best All-Rounder Award - Sage Gnacinski

Every year, the Ampol Best All-Rounder Award gives us the opportunity to acknowledge a final-year student who has made an exceptional contribution both in and out of the classroom. The award recognises qualities including leadership, service and community, attitude, and personal conduct.

Hawke Award - Trish Griffin, teacher and Social Justice Coordinator, Melton Campus

The Hawke Award is named after the Hawke electoral seat, which itself pays homage to former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Eligible recipients are from the regions around Sunbury, Melton, Bacchus Marsh, and Ballan.

Trish has been recognised for her outstanding contributions to the school community and her dedication to service and social justice.

For the past four years, she has led the College Breakfast Club, ensuring students are welcomed each morning with care and generosity. She has also coordinated the St Vincent de Paul Reading Program, supporting young readers at the Melton Library. She has organised the annual Winter Sleep Out, raising awareness of homelessness through action and example.

Her leadership in initiatives such as Ks for Caritas reflects her creativity, compassion, and deep commitment to making a difference.

Passionate about social justice, Trish has inspired countless students to serve others and live out the Gospel call to love and hope.

John Landy Sportsmanship Award - Mia Grainger and Emma Presnell

This award is presented to students who have been nominated for demonstrating one or more of the following at SACCSS events:

• outstanding acts of sportsmanship during and out of competition
• outstanding acts of fair play during competition
• and acts of cooperation, courtesy and respect to officials and opposing players.

Below is the speech given by our 2025 College Dux Jordan Nidras during last week’s awards ceremony.

Good afternoon staff, students, parents and families,

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the college for granting me the privilege and honour of speaking in front of everyone here today.

I would also like to congratulate all my fellow 2025 graduates here today for the incredible achievement of completing VCE to such an exceptional degree. We made it!

Year 12 was a truly remarkable year for me. It was a pivotal year of change, stress, and anxiety, but also of joy, laughter, and fun.

I went into the year with the mindset that my studies were the only thing that mattered, but I ultimately learned that balance is most important.

So, my advice to all future and present Year 12 students is, of course, to work hard and set ambitious, yet achievable goals, but also to take the time to enjoy the year ahead, because it is a turning point in life that you should not take for granted.

As long as you put consistent effort into your academic work and your passions while maintaining a healthy equilibrium, you will no doubt reap the benefits of your discipline at the end of the year, and you will walk away from high school feeling satisfied and invigorated but not burned out.

I would like to thank all the teachers I had throughout Year 12 for setting me up for success by being consistently available, helpful, and supportive.

You all pushed me to be the very best student I could be, and your impact on me as a person will stay with me throughout my life. I am incredibly grateful to you all.

Thank you also for making each class engaging and entertaining, making the workload so much less daunting and encouraging all my peers and me to put our best foot forward.

I would also like to thank my family, my parents and my younger sister, for your immense and unending support and care throughout not just Year 12, but my entire life.

I am so fortunate to have such a secure, encouraging network behind me in you, knowing I can always rely on you.

I am so thankful that you have always been by my side and have allowed me to grow as a person. I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to have you in my life.

Finally, I would also like to extend thanks to the friends I’ve made throughout my time at St Francis Catholic College.

You have had such a great impact on my life that it is hard for me to put into words, and I cannot thank you enough for standing by me this entire year and making so many amazing memories with me.

I wouldn’t be half the person I am today if it weren’t for all of you, and I can’t wait to see us all into our futures and to continue to develop into the best versions of ourselves.

Now, I would like to wish everyone listening today all the best in 2026.

Whether you’re in Year 12 yourself and are nervous or excited about the year ahead, or you’re only just beginning your high school journey and don’t know what to expect, I hope that you’re able to find satisfaction and enjoyment in your time at school.

I believe every person in this room has incredible potential and I encourage you to make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.