February 9, 2026 — 5:00am
In a remarkable achievement, Ringwood Secondary College, located in Melbourne’s outer east, has been named the top-performing school in the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) for food studies. This accolade comes as an increasing number of Victorian students are drawn to subjects that offer practical life skills.
Last year, students from Ringwood Secondary College achieved three of the nine perfect scores of 50 in food studies, the highest number from any school. Additionally, 10 out of the 44 students who took the subject scored 40 or higher. This success is attributed to the dedication of Natalie Murray, a passionate teacher who integrates theory with practical skills, making the subject both engaging and relevant.
Behind the Success: Passionate Teaching
Principal Rosina Fotia credits the school’s outstanding results to Murray’s unique teaching approach. “It’s a subject that has been overlooked by many people,” Fotia explains. “But if you get teachers with passion, you have to let them go for it.”
The school’s achievement was highlighted in The Age’s Victorian Schools Guide, an interactive tool that allows families to assess the performance of schools across the state. The guide is regularly updated to assist in making informed school choices.
Statewide Trends in Food Studies
Select-entry government school Suzanne Cory High School also performed exceptionally well, with a dozen students scoring above 40. Meanwhile, Surf Coast Secondary College celebrated its best results in a decade, with seven students achieving scores over 40.
Statewide, food studies enrolments have surged by 1,000 students over the past five years, reaching 4,780 in 2025. It is now among the top five fastest-growing VCE subjects, excluding English and general maths.
The Appeal of Practical Life Skills
Murray attributes the growing popularity of food studies at Ringwood to its real-world applicability. The subject intersects with nutrition, sustainability, and the science and art of cooking. “That practical element is part of it, but it’s about empowering students to be good food citizens,” Murray states.
Students engage with pressing issues such as sustainable farming and misleading food labeling, fostering a deeper understanding of food systems.
Student Perspectives and Future Aspirations
Natalie Barr, a student who achieved a perfect score, found her passion for nutrition through the subject. She is now pursuing studies in nutrition and exercise science at university. “One of my favorite topics was the digestive system,” Barr shares. “It’s fascinating to learn about all the work your body does every time you eat.”
Sophie Aravindhan, another top scorer, enjoyed the hands-on experience of making fresh pasta and introducing her family to new recipes. “I took it as a fun subject in VCE so I wasn’t always stressed,” she notes.
Eliza Rankin, a year-11 student with aspirations to become a teacher, praises Murray’s supportive teaching style. “The weeks before the exam, I was handing her practice exams every other day, and she would provide feedback promptly,” Rankin recalls.
Broader Educational Trends
Other VCE subjects experiencing rising enrolments include business management, health and human development, physical education, and art creative practice. This trend suggests a shift towards subjects perceived as offering valuable life skills.
RMIT emeritus professor of education Annette Gough, who has studied Victoria’s curriculum since the 1990s, observes, “Students are increasingly choosing subjects that they believe will provide them with practical skills for the future.”
As Ringwood Secondary College celebrates its success, the school’s approach to food studies serves as a model for integrating passion and practicality in education, inspiring students to pursue their interests with enthusiasm and purpose.
