Exams revitalize students at Victorian school
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Tim Natoli, the principal of Mill Park Secondary College in Melbourne, Australia, implemented new academic programs to help students recover from learning disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
When Natoli arrived in 2021, he found declining grades and low expectations among students. He responded by introducing trial exams, revision lectures, assessment blocks, masterclasses, and tutoring. Over the next five years, Mill Park saw improvements in key academic metrics.
The percentage of students completing their Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) increased from 94 percent in 2021 to 99 percent in 2023. The number of students achieving high scores on the VCE, above 40, also rose, reaching the school’s best result in a decade. As a result of these improvements, Natoli granted students more independence, encouraging them to use study centers during free periods.
The school received The Age’s 2026 Schools that Excel award for the northern Melbourne region, recognizing its progress. Student Scarlett Yaziji, who plans to attend the University of Melbourne, credits the school’s emphasis on structure and healthy study habits with helping her avoid burnout.
