News

Local student snaps up elite academic opportunities

By Pip Turton

Dec 10, 2025

Principal Anthony Butts, Riley Kilgour, deputy principal learning and teaching Cherie Boltong and deputy principal community and wellbeing Kate McGrath. Photo by Contributed

St Anne’s College Year 10 student Riley Kilgour is fast-tracking his dream of becoming an engineer, earning places in two prestigious university programs for high-achieving students.

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Riley was accepted into both the John Monash Science School Regional Science Exchange Program and the University of Melbourne’s Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program.

He has just returned from a week at Monash University’s Clayton campus, where he joined 10 regional Victorian students for hands-on STEM learning at JMSS.

“I loved learning more about uni life and meeting like-minded people interested in STEM,” he said.

Riley said he was stunned by the scale of Monash Clayton, with up to 35,000 people on campus each day.

He will head back to Melbourne soon, this time to the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus for the Kwong Lee Dow program’s meet-and-greet.

The two-year program offers academic enrichment, mentoring and a taste of university life — support Riley hopes will boost his pathway into engineering.

St Anne’s College principal Anthony Butts said the school was “incredibly proud” of Riley.

“These programs are extremely competitive, and Riley securing places in both is a testament to what a fantastic student he is,” he said.