What makes it all the more impressive is they were in year 11 when they completed the year 12 subject.

The clever quartet were the only VET Health students across the state to receive a Premier's VCE Award, and Monique Gellatly was the only student in the state to score a perfect 50 study score.

Not that the other three were far behind with Ingrid Ellis, Charlize Thanyasmith and Renae Loader all achieving a study score of 49.

"To have four students from the same class receive this award is a testament to their unwavering dedication, hard work and resilience in a year filled with uncertainty," said VET Health teacher Maxine Duffield.

"They approached their studies with diligence and commitment; demonstrating a genuine interest and passion to learn about the human body and the role of healthcare professionals. It is really exciting to see their efforts recognised and they should be incredibly proud of what they have been able to achieve."

Monique, who hopes to study physiotherapy at university next year, said she was surprised both with her score and the award.

"It was really interesting learning about all the body systems and how the body works, and getting experience in the healthcare sector," she said.

The VET Health course provides a qualification for workers to be able to complete tasks under supervision involving known routines or procedures in the health environment.

Ingrid said the course gave her a taste of pursuing a health-related career and a good understanding of basic body systems, interacting with patients and basic clinical skills.

"It was good to get a taste before university of not just a generic health subject, but one very tailored to the environment of work which is what I wanted to explore before choosing a university course," she said.

For Charlize, she could see the applications of the skills learned in class in her own interactions with doctors and in medical dramas on television.

"We definitely got a lot of knowledge. I gained so much with the subject and I'm going to have science in conjunction with that health knowledge, rather than doing straight health. I'm a bit more interested in science but the skills I've learned will be very helpful if I do it at university," she said.

The COVID disruption of their studies last year meant some aspects of the course were a little more difficult and some practical classes and experiments were done at school rather than on placements.

Renae, who is hoping to study an allied health field such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy, said it was "full on" managing all of their year 11 subjects while trying to prioritise VET Health because it was a year 12 subject.

"Everyone else in class was in the same boat so it was easy to focus more attention to this one because it was all finished at the end of the year. In a small class you want to make sure everyone understands everything and you try to build each other up because in the end that gives you a better score," she said.

IN OTHER NEWS

Ballarat Clarendon College spokesperson Jennifer McGie said the achievement of the four girls in VET Health in year 11 was outstanding.

"When they are in year 11 they don't have spare periods so I would argue that in year 11 they are working harder almost than year 12s because their time is so full," she said. "It's not like they are year 12s who can use a spare during the day to get stuff done."

Ballarat Clarendon College also had three other students honoured in the Premier's VCE Awards. Hikari (Kaylee) Tomota, who was dux of the school with an ATAR of 99.9, was named as one of the state's top three international students while Shogo Trevena received a study award for physical education and Soham Patel for further mathematics.

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