A Sunshine Coast student who topped the state in her Year 12 exams has put her achievement down to “support from my parents, teachers and friends, along with my love of learning and hard work”.
Agnethe Kjaer from Matthew Flinders Anglican College was one of only 34 students in Queensland to achieve the highest possible Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 99.95.
Agnethe plans to take a gap year in 2024 before commencing tertiary study in science or economics in Australia or Denmark.
Asked what she will miss about Flinders, Agnethe said “the people and the fact that I won’t see my friends every day”.
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There were 16 Flinders graduates who received an ATAR of 99 or above (14 per cent of the cohort), which is the best score for the college over the four years of the ATAR system.
It is the fourth consecutive year a Flinders student has secured the top ATAR ranking, the only Sunshine Coast school to achieve this record.
Agnethe had some advice for future seniors looking to achieve strong results.
“Have fun and look after yourself. Try your best. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Smile,” she said.
Coolum State High School student Jessnee Ng also achieved the highest possible academic score of 99.95.
“To be placed within the top 34 students in Queensland from all school sectors is a phenomenal achievement, reflecting Jessnee’s sustained hard work, dedication, discipline and commitment,” a post on the school’s Facebook page said.
“Jessnee’s score also reflects the excellence and determination of her teachers, who have provided her with a caring and supportive platform that have allowed her talents to shine.”
Sunshine Coast Grammar School had two students, Scye Collen and Jessica Lawrie, both score a perfect ATAR of 99.95.
The school’s cohort achieved its best ever ATAR results, with 11 per cent of graduating students attaining an ATAR of 99 or above.
“Success comes in many forms and as a school, it is our goal for every graduating Year 12 student to be working or studying towards a career that not only values their talents, but for which they also have a real passion and purpose,” principal Anna Owen said.
“We are incredibly proud of our Year 12 cohort and congratulate them on their outstanding achievements and encourage every student to go confidently in the direction of their dreams, to work hard and to realise their full potential in the next phase of their unique journey.”
Immanuel Lutheran College had more than 25 per cent of its eligible students achieve an ATAR of 90 and above, with Ben Basson acknowledged as the school’s dux with an ATAR of 98.7.
“Congratulations to our graduates for their exceptional performance,” departing principal Colin Minke said.
“Each student’s journey at Immanuel is unique and valuable, contributing not only to their personal growth but also shaping the path they will tread in the future.”
University of the Sunshine Coast Vice-Chancellor and president Professor Helen Bartlett Bartlett reminded high school graduates there were still many options to achieve their study dreams.
“No one score, grade or number will determine your educational journey. There are many ways to achieve your study dreams and get into the course you want, with or without a particular ATAR score,” she said.
UniSC education researcher Dr Shelley Davidow said young people today will have on average of seven careers so deciding on one for the rest of your life at 17 was a myth.
“If you come out of school not knowing what you want to do, that is fine,” she said.
“Even if you follow a path after school and down the track you change your mind, that’s okay, too. That’s how the world works now.
“Very often, you can’t know if you like something until you try it.”
Queensland-wide fast facts
- 53,181 students graduated (received a Senior Education Profile)
- 48,948 students (92 per cent) achieved a Queensland Certificate of Education
- 1193 students (2 per cent) received Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement
- 27,778 students received an ATAR
- 34 students received an ATAR of 99.95
- 1429 students from 222 schools will receive a Certificate of Academic Commendation for ‘A’ grades in at least six General subjects
- 510 students from 150 schools achieved a perfect score of 100 out of 100 in at least one General subject or General (Extension) subject
- 36,897 students achieved a VET Certificate I, II, III, IV or Diploma qualification
- 1316 students studied a university subject while still at school
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