For Connor, the honour caps off years of determination, steady growth and an unwavering commitment to academic excellence.
Connor said the journey simply began with a desire to fit in at a new school.
“My goal initially was just to get settled and get comfortable in a new school,” he said.
“I was doing all right in Year 8 maths and it was the first time I realised that I could actually push for academic excellence.
“I figured out I actually do really like maths and STEM and that was the start of my study habit development and really just my love of learning.
“That led to eventually being able to fast-track 10A maths in Year 9 and then fast-track methods and business as well.
“It was just a snowball effect, the more work I put in, I kept getting better and better, learned more and more, built on my success year on year, and here we are.”
At the beginning of his final school year, Connor set himself a bold goal to achieve a score of 99.
“At first it was a bit of a pipe dream but then as we got closer, my mum said to me, you can really do this,” Connor said.
“That made me believe that I really could, just to have that full backing, I was like, I'm just going to go for it.
“It wasn't about having a number I could brag about or show to people when I get to university.
“It was more, can I do it? Can I push myself there? And I'm happy to say I did.”
Connor’s mum, Sarah Tarrant, said she was immensely proud of her son’s achievement and grateful to the school community.
“We are so grateful for Connor’s time at the college, and the college community should be proud of their achievements for taking a kid who was struggling to a dux,” she said.
Acting college executive principal Bev Thorp said Connor’s work ethic had been “unparalleled” and this honour was “well deserved”.
“We particularly celebrate the achievements of this group of Year 12 students and wish them all of the best on their future endeavours,” Ms Thorp said.
Connor has received early acceptance to the University of Melbourn to study a Bachelor of Science, specialising in mathematics and physics.
Connor’s philosophy on success is simple but powerful.
“The only way you can push through the gap between your goals and reality is through hard work,” he said.
“You've just got to work hard for it. And if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.”
