Inaugural Academic Growth Awards
We are pleased to announce a new initiative for our students: the Academic Growth Awards. These awards recognise students who have made significant progress in their learning, regardless of their starting point. They are currently being presented at school assemblies, with the first group of recipients honoured at University Campus on Thursday, 19 June.
Principal Gerard Foley explained the thinking behind this new initiative:
‘At Ivanhoe Grammar School, we value academic achievement—and yes, grades matter. They reflect rigour, mastery, and commitment. But we also know that learning is a journey, and not everyone starts from the same place. That’s why we’ve introduced our Academic Growth Awards—to honour students who have made significant progress in their learning, regardless of their starting point. These awards sit proudly alongside traditional academic prizes. They don’t replace excellence—they redefine it, celebrating persistence, effort, and the mindset it takes to grow. Because at Ivanhoe, we’re not just preparing students to succeed in exams—we’re preparing them to grow, adapt, and thrive in whatever future they choose.’
Congratulations to all students at University Campus who received Principal’s Awards for Academic Growth — Siobhan, Clarrie, Alice, Josh, Ella and Jai (absent).
Year 9 students Clarrie and Siobhan reflected on how they progressed and improved over time.
Clarrie shared, ‘I was motivated to work harder so I could keep my options open in the future and do well in my exams.’ He also said, ‘I got a tutor to help me stay on top of my work so I wouldn’t fall behind,’ showing how he took charge of his learning. And he added, ‘I feel a real sense of achievement—I learned that if I put in the effort, I see it in my grades.’ Clarrie’s progress is a great example of how staying focused and determined really pays off, and his story is sure to inspire others to keep pushing themselves.
Siobhan explained that her main motivation was her goal to take a VCE subject in Year 10, which inspired her to focus on improving her grades throughout 2025. She said, ‘I changed my work ethic to do more homework at home and focus more on staying organised in class.’ Siobhan also shared that she started asking her teachers more questions to help her understand the work better. She expressed that she ‘feels proud and happy about her results because it makes school less stressful.’
Well done to all students who received awards. Your dedication and perseverance toward meaningful academic growth are truly commendable. We look forward to sharing more inspiring stories of student success.
