Minister congratulates highest achievers from Year 12 class of 2021

Education Minister Grace Grace today congratulated Queensland’s highest achieving Year 12 graduates from the class of 2021 — a group who are destined to be among our future surgeons, computer scientists, biomedical engineers and economists.

“This year 47 graduates have received a prestigious Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) Achievement Award for exceptional academic achievements,” Ms Grace said.

“The top award of Outstanding Academic Achiever goes to Elijah Wong who attended Brisbane Grammar School. Elijah receives a certificate, trophy and $5000.

“Elijah’s achievements placed him ahead of nearly 52,000 of his peers. His outstanding results included six straight As in maths, science and languages subjects with some perfect scores, complementary high level achievement in piano and music theory, and an ATAR of 99.95.

“This year he’s studying medicine at Griffith University and hopes to make a valuable contribution to the community as an orthopaedic surgeon.”

Brisbane Grammar School graduate Elijah Wong said Specialist Mathematics was his favourite subject as it allowed him to think critically and challenged his ability to problem-solve.

“My motivation to study was my love of learning and wanting to gain a deeper understanding of how we can effectively solve the challenges and issues, particularly in health, that we all face in today's world - it is one of the reasons why I wanted to become a doctor,” he said.

“My advice to other students is that throughout Year 12 you will face various different challenges, so it’s important to have a support group around you.

“Remember, you are the captain of your ship and you decide where and how it's going to sail.”

Ms Grace said despite the challenges caused by COVID-19, it’s remarkable to see that the number of students receiving either a QCE or QCIA increased from last year, as did the number of students who received a VET Certificate II or higher while completing their senior schooling.

“The awards reinforced that Queensland’s new senior curriculum and assessment system enabled students from across the state to reach their full potential," she said. 

“These award winners are the second cohort to graduate in the new QCE system and attended State, Catholic and Independent schools from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Ingham and Rockhampton.

“I applaud the teachers, teacher aides, principals and staff across Queensland who are responsible for the learning cultures and commitment to high standards that helped these young people to flourish.

“This is also a proud day for the award winners’ families. I’m sure parents and carers also played an extremely important part of their children’s success.”

The QCE Achievement Awards are sponsored by Griffith University, James Cook University, The University of Queensland and University of Southern Queensland.


Outstanding Academic Achiever

• Elijah Wong, Brisbane Grammar School
  • Also awarded Distinguished Academic Achiever

Highest Achievement by an Aboriginal Student or Torres Strait Islander Student

• Jasmine Armstrong, Mt St Michael's College (Ashgrove)
  • Also awarded Distinguished Academic Achiever

Distinguished Academic Achievers

• Lachlan Andrews, Sheldon College (Redlands)
• Pontakorn Anulomsombat, Brisbane Grammar School
• Jasmine Armstrong, Mt St Michael's College (Ashgrove)
• Samantha Atherton, Brisbane Girls Grammar School
• Beyas Basu, Brisbane State High School
• Lucy Cai, St Peters Lutheran College (Indooroopilly)
• Nicholas Chang, Brisbane State High School
• Isabella Chen, Brisbane State High School
• Zoe Cumming, Moreton Bay College (Manly West)
• Kinjal Dani, Brisbane State High School
• Caine Day, St Joseph's Nudgee College (Boondall)
• Sara Fulton, Brisbane State High School
• Daniel Gibbon, Citipointe Christian College (Carindale)
• Mikaela Gray, Brisbane State High School
• Jack Griffin, Brisbane State High School
• Cathleen Han, The Rockhampton Grammar School
• William Harris, Anglican Church Grammar School (East Brisbane)
• Annabelle Hazelton, St Rita's College (Clayfield)
• Maximilian Hepperlin, Brisbane State High School
• Chung-Wei Hsu, Somerset College (Mudgeeraba)
• Yue Huang, Brisbane State High School
• Orlando-Sebastian Hunter, Brisbane Boys' College (Toowong)
• Henry Lau, Brisbane State High School
• Ethan Lee, Brisbane Grammar School
• Luke Liu, Brisbane Grammar School
• Hayden Lloyd, Padua College (Kedron)
• Roger Look, Brisbane Grammar School
• Ethan Marsden, The Gap State High School
• Claudia McPherson, Matthew Flinders Anglican College (Buderim)
• Diane Nguyen, Brisbane State High School
• Johnny Nguyen, Brisbane State High School
• Emma Nipperess, Southport State High School
• Aaron Palmer, Toowoomba Grammar School
• Geordan Papacostas, St Joseph's College (Brisbane)
• Patrick Perrier, Villanova College (Coorparoo)
• Daniel Quill, The Gap State High School
• Proshot Rafiee, Brisbane State High School
• Margil Rajaji, The Rockhampton Grammar School
• Rosalita Rosenberg, Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology
• Ho Shim, Brisbane State High School
• Cara Siren, Clayfield College
• Darcie Spina, Gilroy Santa Maria College (Ingham)
• Thomas Strooper, Brisbane Grammar School
• Zachary Thompson, St Joseph's College (Brisbane)
• Vivian Toh, Brisbane State High School
• Kai Weith, Coolum State High School
• Elijah Wong, Brisbane Grammar School

View profiles of the award winners.

View the QCAA Certification Summary of 2021 results.

Footage and images of Minister Grace and the outstanding academic achievers are available here.

ENDS

Media contact: Annamika Calcino, 0418 183 210