Commencing at the School in 2020, Maeve’s introduction to secondary school was unlike any other. After just one month, classrooms shifted from face-to-face learning to unprecedented online lessons due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the transition to remote learning was challenging, Maeve reflects that the experience helped shape the student she would become.
“I’ve always been quite self-motivated,” she explains. “Being at home during the pandemic actually strengthened my study habits and taught me how to manage my time independently.”
Developing strong academic discipline during those early days at GVGS would prove invaluable. As VCE approached, her elective subject choices were driven by curiosity and a genuine love of learning. “I decided my Year 11 and 12 classes by picking my favourite subjects,” she says. “I’ve always been a strong science student, so fast tracking Biology felt like a natural choice.”
This approach, driven by genuine interest, enabled her to maintain focus during the most demanding periods of VCE. While Maeve found most of her classes rewarding, one stood out and presented a significant challenge.
“Maths has never been my strong suit, so I knew it would be tough,” she admits. “My teacher, Mr Provan, was incredible, I asked so many questions and was constantly emailing for help. The support from the School made such a difference and pushed me to get the best result I could.”
By her final year, ensuring there was a healthy balance between her studies and social life became increasingly important. “I was surprised by the amount of memories we made in Year 12,” she reflects. “We were all under so much pressure, but it really brought us all together. It was lovely to see how close everyone became in our final year.”
Her approach to study was consistent and disciplined. Long hours were spent in both the GVGS and local libraries, making use of quiet spaces and whiteboards to consolidate her learning. At the same time, she was careful to protect her wellbeing. “It’s really important to recognise when you’re at capacity,” she says. “Making time for friends, family and self-care is so important to avoid burnout.
When it came to managing exam stress, routine was key. Prioritising sleep and sharing regular meals with family helped her to maintain perspective. “What kept me going was wanting to make myself and my family proud,” she says. “I’d come this far and wanted to prove that I could do it.”
After years of dedication and focus, finding out she had been named Dux in 2025 was a moment filled with mixed emotions. “I felt a bit of imposter syndrome,” she explains. “There were so many capable students around me who could have also got it because I saw them work so hard.”
Opening her ATAR results with her parents and grandmother, just before flying to Fiji, made the moment especially memorable.
Now undertaking a Bachelor of Science at The University of Melbourne and living on campus at Queen’s College, Maeve is excited about what lies ahead. Considering majors in environmental science or neuroscience, she hopes the next few years will be a time of exploration, research and travel, including an upcoming expedition to Costa Rica and future plans to explore South East Asia.
Looking back, she describes Year 12 as the culmination of all her years at the School. “I loved being challenged academically, but I also loved the social side of playing school netball, spending time with friends and finishing the journey together,” she says. “It was the perfect way to end my time at GVGS.”