by Emma Ballingall
A 16-year-old student from Warragul achieved an ATAR of 99.75 to register the highest score across West Gippsland schools.
Hamna Mohamed Fahmi of St Paul's Anglican Grammar School took out the honour.
Students across Victoria received their long-awaited VCE results yesterday, including hundreds of students in West Gippsland.
All schools reported being proud of their students' results, with Trafalgar High School reporting its highest dux score in 10 years and Warragul Regional College reporting standout results in the arts.
More than 45,239 eligible Victorian students were awarded an ATAR this year, with an overall average score of 69.41. This was a slight decrease from last year's 70.33.
Across the state, 39 students achieved the highest possible rank of 99.95.

Chairo Christian School
Ruth Tucker of Ellinbank achieved an ATAR of 98.35 to be named dux of Chairo's Drouin campus.
Ruth plans to study science at Melbourne University after a defence force gap year with the Australian Navy.
Principal Judy Linossier said Ruth, who received the year 12 academic all-rounder award and ADF future innovators award, was a fine role model to her fellow students.
She served as a house captain and represented Chairo in volleyball and hockey at state level as well as playing a lead role in last year's college production.
"Ruth's very impressive results are testament to her consistent hard work and calm and positive disposition," Ms Linossier said.
Having completed outdoor environmental studies in year 11 with a study score of 47, Ruth studied English (43), maths methods (41), specialist maths and physics (40).
Ms Linossier said 14 per cent of students achieved an ATAR over 90, with 31 per cent achieving an ATAR over 80.
"They are a delightful group of young people who achieved a wonderful balance between working hard at school and being involved in a range of community service opportunities," she said. "They will be remembered as being a well-rounded, nurturing cohort."

Drouin Secondary College
Portia Di Iorio of Drouin was announced dux.
Principal Liz Godwin said Portia, who undertook a Federation University advanced unit in health this year, was aiming to study social work.
Portia said she was grateful for all the support received from the school's teaching staff, noting she couldn't have achieved what she did without them.
"We're really pleased for all of the students," Ms Godwin said.
She wished them well as they progress onto their next journey with post-school education or into the workforce.

Marist-Sion College
Shannon Huntingford, from the Bunyip area, was shocked but happy her hard work paid off after being named dux with an ATAR of 98.85.
Having achieved a perfect 50 study score in health and human development last year, Shannon studied biology, general maths, literature, psychology and religion and society.
"I was shaking when I opened my results," she said. "At the start of the year, I put all my focus into my homework. Towards the middle of the year, I achieved more of a balance with schoolwork and friends. It made coming to school more enjoyable and helped me to achieve my goals."
Principal Lisa Harkin said Shannon was a very deserving dux.
"Shannon has a brilliant mind," Ms Harkin said. "Her commitment to learning and her ability to focus is outstanding."
April Simpson of Warragul was close behind, achieving an ATAR of 98.3.
Ms Harkin said she was proud of all students for the tremendous resilience and commitment they had shown to their study.
"I congratulate all students for their personal efforts and wish them well in the next phase of their journey," she said. "As a community, we celebrate your success, we acknowledge your effort and we are so proud of your achievements."

Neerim District Secondary College
School principal Michael Shone was not available for comment before deadline.

St Paul's Anglican Grammar School
After achieving an ATAR of 99.75 at just 16-years-old, it was no surprise that Hamna Mohamed Fahmi of Warragul was named dux.
Amongst her results, Hamna scored a perfect study score of 50 in psychology and 48 in English literature.
Principal Cameron Herbert said Hamna's ATAR score was the highest at the school in some years.
Close behind Hamna was Shivi Maheshwari of Warragul on 98.5, including a near-perfect 49 in English.
Other locals with high scores included Quinn Carmichael of Warragul on 95.55, Samuel Williamson of Warragul on 94.8, Charles Jaques of Warragul on 94.65, Elsie Steenholdt of Warragul on 92.95, Madison Ashley of Warragul on 91.85, Ocea Urbach of Warragul on 91.55 and David Baker of Warragul on 91.35.
Mr Herbert said the school was happy with the median ATAR score of 76.
He said 46 per cent of the cohort were in the top 20 per cent in the state, 86 per cent in the top 40 per cent and 98 per cent in the top 50 per cent.
"Our top end wasn't as strong as usual but they did very well as a cohort," Mr Herbert said.
The school reported that this year's graduates approached their studies with maturity and good humour to actively pursue their potential and achieve excellent results.
They have expressed a variety of plans for their immediate futures from tertiary study in areas such as health, commerce and law, apprenticeships, Australian Defence Force traineeships and work.

St Thomas Aquinas College
Charles Upston scored an ATAR of 95.4 to be named this year's dux.
Principal Kieran O'Dwyer said it brought the college "immense joy to witness the resilience, compassion and commitment displayed by all of the students in their studies and co-curricular activities this year".
Overall, Mr O'Dwyer said 20 per cent of the year 12 cohort achieved an ATAR above 92.
"Although not recognised in their ATAR, over the course of the year, I have witnessed the students strengthen their faith, ignite a purpose that will take time to cultivate, develop character that will see them become the leaders of tomorrow or unlock curiosity that will see them follow a path not yet established," he said.

Trafalgar High School
James Pettifer achieved an ATAR of 98.1 - the highest score at Trafalgar High School in 10 years - to be named dux.
James, from Traralgon South, aims to study a double degree in engineering and science at Monash University.
Principal Brett Pedlow said the school was extremely proud of James' results as he had enrolled in the accelerated SEAL program from year seven.
In addition, Mr Pedlow reported that 19 per cent of students achieved an ATAR above 90, the highest in more than 20 years.
"This is testament to the commitment of our students and expertise of teaching staff," he said.
Mr Pedlow said the strongest performing subjects came from a breadth of curriculum areas including English, English literature, biology, math methods and accounting.
With this cohort disrupted heavily throughout their high school journey, he said they were "absolutely rapt" with the results and proud of the independent learners the school had produced.

Warragul Regional College
The dux of Warragul Regional College was Hayley Petrie of Warragul.
Principal Nicole Pryor said Hayley was pretty excited with her results and aimed to pursue an arts degree at Melbourne University.
Hayley was part of the school's early access program, having achieved a near perfect 49 study score in English last year.
"She's been a student that has been active in our school community as well," Ms Pryor said.
In particular, Hayley was a founding member of the college's student paper which has now morphed into a student podcast.
Across the board, Ms Pryor said a standout was the arts - from creative media arts to studio arts - which was maybe not considered the norm.
"I'm just really happy to see the arts perform really well this year," she said.
"We're always really proud of our students, they all try really hard," Ms Pryor concluded. "A high proportion will gain their first preferences."