Next gen of Qld’s academic high achievers step up

Queensland’s next generation of scientists, engineers, artificial intelligence designers and doctors have today been recognised with Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) Awards.

Education Minister Grace Grace today congratulated Queensland’s latest batch of highest achieving school leavers from 2020, including the 38 students who receive a QCE outstanding academic achievements.

“These graduates are among our brightest young minds and are set to become tomorrow’s software engineers, surgeons, data scientists, and medical researchers,” she said.

“I’m especially proud of these resilient young people from the Class of 2020, who were the first full Prep cohort, the first Year 7s at high school, and the first to switch to our new senior assessment and tertiary entrance system – and then had to navigate COVID-19.”

The top award goes to biotechnology and medicine student Vishaak Gangasandra, who attended The Southport School. Vishaak receives a certificate, trophy and $5000.

Vishaak achieved straight As in seven senior subjects including an overall mark of 100 per cent in English, mathematics and physics – the top result of the 45,188 students who achieved the Queensland Certificate of Education.

Ms Grace told Parliament today that Vishaak deserved congratulations for his academic achievements and for his actions in 2015 when he and his father helped save a car accident victim at the Gold Coast just before her car burst into flames.

“Vishaak would like to be a doctor and combine his passion for healthcare with interests in business management and technology,” she said.

“I’m sure Vishaak will have a rewarding future and make a positive contribution in the community.”

Ms Grace said the class of 2020 was the first to graduate in the new QCE system which had introduced new syllabuses, external exams and the ATAR.

She told Parliament that the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) was publishing the results today online.

“The report this year provides important state-level data, with a focus on individual students’ achievements,” she said.

“This approach to reporting student outcomes has been endorsed by the Senior Assessment and Tertiary Entrance Implementation Taskforce, the QCAA Board, and is in line with the reporting practice in other states and by resolution of the Education Council of state, territory and Commonwealth ministers.”  

The award winners attended 23 different state, Catholic, independent and international schools.

View profiles of the award winners  

View the QCAA Certification Summary of 2020 results  

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