For VCE High Achiever and first-year medical student Georgios Pirpiris (OM 2025), the study of languages at Melbourne Grammar continues to provide a relevant and dynamic lens to his learning.

Georgios studied VCE English, French, Latin, and modern Greek, and also competed in the International Linguistics Olympiad in Taiwan last year.

“In medicine specifically, learning Latin helps a lot with terminology,” he says.

“But by nature, languages tend to grow on themselves. The concepts start small and get bigger and bigger as you expand your vocabulary.

“Studying medicine, it’s been that sort of learning style; with units starting small, then growing and linking into other subject areas.

“Languages are intrinsically linked to each other, so it really makes sense that this sort of learning pathway has been so applicable.”

Georgios was one of five Melbourne Grammar graduates to receive the highest-possible ATAR of 99.95 last year. His results in the subject of Chemistry also saw him recognised with a Study Award at the recent VCE Premier’s Awards in July.

In reflecting on the practical element of the subject, Georgios recounts some of his favourite School memories happening in the chemistry lab.

Learning about an element or theory, then seeing it play out in the real world, “that was really cool,” he says.

Georgios’ exceptional results paved the way for entry into medicine at Monash University, where he is now adjusting to a new pace and style of learning.

“The best part so far has been doing hands-on clinical work,” Georgios says.

“We’ve already learned how to administer injections, take vitals and patient histories, and this semester we’ve started going to the anatomy lab to work on cadavers.

“I think getting to do that so early in our experience is important, because we get to go beyond the theory and see how it all makes sense in practice.”

Georgios also sees the study of medicine representing an opportunity to give back to his community and help others in a direct, hands-on way.

“You’re able to contribute to society in a way which I think is unique to medicine,” he says.

“Every patient who walks through the doors of a hospital is different, and I’m learning that connecting with each new patient is an important part of how we help.”

Georgios says that the ability to take charge of his own learning is a skill he continues to rely on.

“Melbourne Grammar taught me to be consistent. It’s doing a little bit of work every day that sees your learning grow over time.”

Georgios adds that the strength of the Melbourne Grammar community still sustains him, even as a university student.

“I find there’s a depth to my friendships with other OMs I meet here at Monash,” he says.

“I can always have good, long conversations with them. We’re connected, even if we weren’t in the same year.”

A five-year degree, medicine at Monash allows little time for elective study, but that hasn’t stopped Georgios engaging in many of the extracurricular pursuits.

“I’m part of the Monash Medical Orchestra, secretary of the Greek Club, and I’m also part of the Med Revue, which is a play the medical students put on every year,” he says.

“It takes time and commitment, but the people who participate have a true passion to be there, and that makes it really enjoyable.

“I was at Melbourne Grammar for 13 years, so even if I turn 100, that’s still 13% of my life,” Georgios adds.

“It gave me such a strong base to grow from. I tried to experience as many things as I could while I was there, and that’s a philosophy I’ve kept.

“If there’s an opportunity I want to take today, I will.”

VCE Premier’s Awards

The Premier’s VCE Awards recognise outstanding achievements in VCE studies completed in 2025. Presented to the highest-performing students in each VCE subject, the awards celebrate exceptional academic achievement across Victoria.

Congratulations to: