Queensland’s top Year 12 academic achievers announced

Queensland’s top performing Year 12 graduates from the class of 2014 today were recognised and rewarded for exceptional academic achievement in their school studies at the inaugural Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) Achievement Awards ceremony.

The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) hosted the awards at the State Library of Queensland where 33 students from 26 State, Catholic and Independent schools received prizes in six categories.

Minister for Education Kate Jones presented Elizabeth Baldwin of Mount St Michael’s College with a certificate, trophy, and cheque for $1000 as the overall Outstanding Academic Achiever.

“Elizabeth’s results in Year 12 were truly outstanding and included Very High Achievements in seven subjects as well as a university subject,” Ms Jones said.

“I’m especially happy to be able to present this award to a student from a school in my own electorate. To be recognised as the state’s highest achieving student from a cohort of nearly 50,000 is a remarkable achievement that Elizabeth and her family can be exceptionally proud of.

“Elizabeth’s achievement is a testament to the principal, teachers and school community at Mount St Michael’s College and their great work.

“I wish Elizabeth every success as she embarks upon an Arts/Law degree at The University of Queensland.”

Ms Jones anticipated that the QCE Achievement Awards would become a prestigious annual event on Queensland’s education calendar.

“These new awards celebrate the achievements of students who best demonstrate breadth and depth of learning across a range of subjects and courses,” she said.

“The students not only achieved an OP1 and an ‘A’ on the Queensland Core Skills Test. Most did more than the traditional six Authority subjects, often in combination with university studies and vocational education and training at diploma level or higher.

“What sets these students apart is that they achieved the highest grades and rankings across their learning program.

“The inaugural award winners come from across Queensland and school sectors, reflecting the strength and diversity of senior schooling in our State.

“All of the students who received awards today are well placed to achieve further success at university and ultimately make valuable contributions to the community in their working lives.”

Queensland Certificate of Education Achievement Award winners

Outstanding Academic Achiever:

Elizabeth Baldwin, Mount St Michael’s College, Ashgrove

Highest Achievement by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Student:

David Menczer, Nerang State High School

Highest Result on the Queensland Core Skills Test:

Rebecca Marshall, Loreto College, Coorparoo

Distinguished Academic Achievers:

Aiden Leeman, Southern Cross Catholic College, Scarborough

Allen Gu, Brisbane Grammar School

Callum Bryson, St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace

Callum Woods, Kenmore State High School

Clarise Sornachalam, Whitsunday Anglican School, Mackay

Corey Hanrahan, Clairvaux MacKillop College, Upper Mt Gravatt

Danyon Ramsay, Groves Christian College, Kingston

Declan Sela, St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace

Dimity Thoms, Forest Lake State High School

Elizabeth Baldwin, Mt St Michael’s College, Ashgrove

Elizabeth Johnston, Ferny Grove State High School

Emily Pryor, The Rockhampton Grammar School

Hamish Mulcahy, The Southport School

Ishvar Nedunchezhian, The Southport School

Jasmine Miller, The Glennie School, Toowoomba

Joshua Sutton, St Peter’s Lutheran College, Indooroopilly

Matthew Carter, St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace

Michael Dunne, Beaudesert State High School

Mitchell Quinn, Bray Park State High School

Rachel Tomassen, Varsity College, Varsity Lakes

Robert Hartley, Bentley Park College, Cairns

Solenne Heggarty, All Hallows’ School, Brisbane

Tamara Bohler, St Peter’s Lutheran College, Indooroopilly

Thomas Barnwell, Toowoomba Grammar School

Thomas Watkins, Toowoomba Grammar School

Leon Shen, Brisbane State High School

Highest Achievement by an International Student:

Shayara Perera, Brisbane State High School

Highest Achievement in the International Baccalaureate:

Amelia Walters, Queensland Academy for Creative Industries

Conor Leach, Queensland Academy for Creative Industries

Jackson Huang, Queensland Academy of Science Mathematics and Technology

Samuel Naylor, St Peter’s Lutheran College, Indooroopilly

The award criteria and prizes can be viewed at: https://www.qcaa.qld.edu.au/qce-awards.html

Media contacts:

Minister Jones' Office: Emma Smith 0417 405 879

QCAA: James Lamb 0403 058 551 or james.lamb@qcaa.qld.edu.au