You've probably never heard of the state high school that outperformed almost every Victorian school to achieve three perfect scores in further maths.
And in the leafy streets of Toorak, a Catholic boys school has been quietly crushing its competition in VCE English.
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VCE 2016: The tale of two Anna Langfords
Both Anna Langford and Anna Langford never knew the other existed until the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) results came out this week.
Using new data from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, we analysed this year's 40-plus VCE study scores to see which schools shone in key subjects.
English
St Kevin's College in Toorak achieved the most 40-plus study scores in English this year. A total of 107 students – about two in five – at the Catholic boy's school obtained marks that put them in the top 10 per cent of the state in the subject. And 10 students received a perfect score of 50, more than any other school.
When it comes to government schools, Melbourne Girls College had the highest concentration of high-achieving English students.
Further Maths
In Melbourne's eastern suburbs, Vermont Secondary College has been celebrating some impressive further maths results. A record three students at the state high school achieved a perfect study score of 50 in the most popular maths subject – and they were all in year 11.
Overall, 18 students at the state school achieved a 40-plus score in further maths.
Director of numeracy Mary Zervos attributed this success to the school's team of young and experienced maths teachers
She said students worked tirelessly, completed many practice exams and asked questions. "You have to have talent, and you have to be willing to work hard," she said.
"We are a community school that works with all the students in the neighbourhood to achieve the best we can for them."
Westall Secondary College was another government school that produced some sharp further maths minds unlikely to be fazed by curly exam questions about 50 cent coins. The relatively small school in Clayton South has just over 50 year 12 students, but managed eight scores of 40 or above in the subject.
Principal Tristan Lanarus said the school had a strong maths culture, and one of its students last year represented Australia at the International Maths Olympiad.
Maths Methods / Specialist Maths
At Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School, almost every student studies a year 12 maths subject. While the private school always performs well in maths, principal Tony Larkin said he was particularly thrilled with this year's results. Students achieved five perfect scores in maths methods and two in specialist maths. Across the two subjects, students received 47 study scores that were 40 or above.
Mr Larkin has two tips for students who want to do well in maths: do your homework and seek out as many problems as possible.
Legal studies
If you want to do well in this popular subject, look no further than Glen Waverley Secondary College. It beat every school in the state, with more than one in three students achieving a 40-plus score. Debate about the same-sex marriage plebiscite, the "Malaysia Solution" and Adrian Bailey made the subject relevant and interesting.
Schools that got the most 40-plus scores in other VCE subjects
Classical studies: Canterbury Girls Secondary College (six study scores of 40 or above)
Environmental science: Mac.Robertson Girls High School (11)
French: Penleigh and Essendon Grammar (7)
Health and human development: Genazzano FCJ College (49)
Information technology (computing informatics): Aquinas College (9)
Literature: Mac.Robertson Girls High School (18)
Media: Lauriston Girls School (13)
Outdoor and environmental science: Frankston High School (17)
Philosophy: Melbourne Grammar School (17)
Psychology: Nossal High School (40)
Religion and society: Mazenod College (21)
Sociology: Haileybury Girls College (24)
Studio arts: Balwyn High School (18)
(Note: Top performers were chosen based on number of 40-plus scores compared against the size of the school. About 15 per cent of students do not allow their subject results to be published, so the figures in this story may be lower than the actual results)