Meet our VCE Class of 2024: Stories of passion and personal growth

Isabella Alcock  

Discovering a passion for cooking opened the door to a life-changing opportunity for Isabella: culinary school in the beautiful Paris. Next year, Isabella will embark on a three-year Bachelor's degree in Cooking at École Ducasse, fulfilling a newfound dream.  

From a young age, Isabella loved cooking, baking cookies for friends and preparing meals for her family, but it was MLC’s commercial kitchen within the Home Economics Department and hands-on learning approach that encouraged this passion to grow. After studying multiple Home Economics subjects in Year 8, Isabella pursued VCE VET Hospitality in her senior years to earn her Certificate II in Cookery and expand her culinary expertise.  

Isabella describes a highlight of her journey as her involvement in MLC’s unique Terrace Restaurant. In this program, students operate the onsite commercial restaurant, both front and back of house, and are supported by teachers with industry experience.  

“It’s amazing to have the Terrace Restaurant here. Because I’ve had that kitchen experience, I now have more confidence to work in a restaurant one day,” she says. “It’s really great to be able to practise your skills and get a better perspective of the different roles in a kitchen.” 

Isabella feels confident and excited about the next chapter of her life, and she credits MLC with giving her the tools to embrace new challenges. “MLC has given me the confidence to try new things and not be afraid. I’ve learned that even if I’m not good at something, it’s worth a shot,” she shares. 

Mackie Hunter 

Balancing the demands of competitive swimming, including the Olympic Trials, with Year 12 studies was a way of life for Mackie. She joined MLC in Year 11, drawn to the College’s integration of sports and academics. The ability to train early in the morning and head straight to class without the stress of commuting allowed her to maximise her training while staying on top of her studies.  

But Mackie’s ambitions extended far beyond the pool. In her final year, she tackled a diverse range of subjects, including PE and Chemistry, which fuelled her passion for science and sparked her goal of pursuing a tertiary education in Pharmaceuticals.  

Throughout her journey, Mackie found unwavering support from her teachers and coaches. They worked closely with her to create a balance between her rigorous training schedule and academic commitments, helping her excel in both areas.  

Mackie’s aspirations go beyond individual achievement; she’s also driven to make a difference in the sports community. She hopes to advance her swimming career while inspiring the next generation of female athletes, particularly in open-water swimming, a traditionally male-dominated sport. “I think it’s important to show that girls can do it too,” she says. “I really hope I can be that person that people look up to and be a role model.” 

As Mackie looks to the future, she remains focused on her goals. She’s excited to continue pushing herself both in the water and in her studies. 

Rose Fisher 

Originally from rural Victoria, Rose embraced every opportunity at MLC, including the diverse selection of subjects, sports and leadership roles. As a boarding student, she thrived in the supportive environment, taking on an impressive selection of subjects that included Chemistry, Economics and VCE VET in Sport & Recreation. Alongside her studies, she participated in seven sports, from AFL and athletics to diving and gymnastics.  

In 2024, Rose was our Boarding Prefect, a role that encouraged her to develop her leadership skills and support her peers. “I’ve loved the opportunity to be a role model this year.” 

Her passion for health and science guided her next steps. Earlier this year, she was thrilled to receive early admission to her first-choice course: Health Science at the Australian National University. There, she plans to specialise in rural healthcare, driven by her desire to give back to the communities who supported her growing up.  

Looking back on her MLC journey, Rose shared: “My biggest achievement is the confidence I’ve gained within myself to take on challenges that I wouldn’t have otherwise. Being faced with challenges at MLC, whether it’s sports injuries or academics, I’ve been able to tackle them head-on and gain confidence in myself to do that wherever I go. I think that’s the most valuable achievement.” 

Inez Singer 

For Inez, her time at MLC was about discovering her passions and shaping her education to reflect them. Joining the College on a scholarship in Year 7, she embraced every opportunity to explore her interests and challenge herself academically. In Year 12, Inez found her true passion in humanities. Due to MLC’s extensive subject offerings, she was able to curate her VCE subjects to align perfectly with her interests.  

Her love for languages also flourished at MLC. After completing the French Immersion program – where subjects are taught entirely in French – she further pursued her passion by enrolling in the University of Melbourne’s Extension Program, studying French at an advanced level. 

Outside the classroom, Inez found joy in musical co-curricular activities as a member of MLC’s Chamber Choir and the Music Captain for her House.  

 “MLC has an amazing music culture. Everyone participates in the concerts and it’s a really good way to connect across all year levels,” she explains, “That sense of community is something I think is really special about MLC.” 

With plans to study Arts at the University of Melbourne and pursue a career in communication, Inez is confident that the skills and experiences she gained at MLC will continue to shape her future success. 

Bridget Davis  

After joining MLC in Year 11, Bridget truly embraced the school’s diverse and supportive community, overcoming shyness to take on leadership roles and excel academically. She embraced her role as MLC’s Faith and Inclusion Prefect and co-leader of the SPARK Student Club, which encourages open discussions around religion, morals, ethics and personal beliefs. 

Recognising the diverse range of backgrounds and beliefs within the College community, Bridget took on her roles with a commitment to fostering inclusivity.  “I came into these roles thinking ‘How do I make myself the most open-minded and approachable person I can be, so that everyone can feel safe and included?’” she reflects. “The role taught me how to cater my approach to different audiences, which is a skill that will help me in the future.” 

With aspirations to pursue Commerce at the University of Melbourne, Bridget hopes to incorporate this love for maths and languages by undertaking a concurrent Diploma of Languages in French or Latin. Inspired by the diverse interests of her peers at MLC, she is also eager to expand her knowledge in subjects such as history and politics.