Syrian refugee named dux of Melbourne school

A Syrian refugee who only started learning English two years ago has graduated as dux of his Melbourne school.

Saad Al-Kassab earned an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 96.65, making him the top student in his year at the Catholic Regional College Sydenham, in Melbourne's north-west, ABC News reports.

Saad fled the Syrian civil war with his family in 2013 and arrived in Australia in June 2014, where he started learning English.

He began by watching Question Time in Parliament and joined his local Scouts group to work on his comprehension.

"The way they speak, they speak proper English. They speak slowly, so you can catch words," he said.

Saad studied English solidly four months before he was able to enrol in a school.

"I think the hardest part was getting into school. The community was lovely with me," he said.

"I really wish I can pay it back one day."

Saad, who has also been working at his school as a gardener, said he had felt confident going into his exams.

"To be honest, I was expecting a high score, but it felt so good to see it," he said.

Saad has already been offered a scholarship at Monash University, where he plans to study biomedicine or medicine.