CLASS OF 2024 SPOTLIGHT - Jen MacDonald

This advice to current Year 12 students from our 2024 College Dux, Jen MacDonald, beautifully reflects the concept that success lies in dedication and commitment to a goal, whatever that goal may be.

Jen's goal was to achieve the highest ATAR she could. She committed to that goal, developed a positive mindset, worked tirelessly towards it, and was rewarded with a 99.65 at the end of her studies.

Jen says she devoted the majority of her time to studying, perfecting her study techniques throughout prior years at secondary school, and using these methods to ensure she could achieve the SAC marks she needed.

“One of the most influential factors that propelled me towards success in school was an inherent enjoyment for it. The pursuit of my goal ATAR was guided by the notion that any quest for success must be founded in an appreciation for the steps it requires. Such a mindset framed my study and assessments as tasks that were enjoyable, perhaps challenging at times, but ultimately important to me.”

In recognising those who supported her throughout Year 12, Jen extends her thanks to her family for their unwavering support and belief in her ability to reach her goal and her teachers for their ongoing support and encouragement.

In further advice to current and future Year 12 students, Jen suggests ‘practising perspective’.

“One bad SAC score will not shatter your dream ATAR, your entry to a course, nor your distant career.”

Jen was accepted into a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne for 2025 and plans to pursue a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Science, specialising in immunology.

‍