Bundaberg high schools’ highest academic achievers revealed

The top academic achievers from high schools across the Bundaberg region have been revealed. Meet the future leaders of tomorrow as we celebrate their scholastic success.

Bundaberg Duxes for 2023

Succeeding in high school is no easy feat, with deadlines and pop quizzes putting pressure on the most academic of students.

However, these Bundaberg students have not only pushed through the pressure, they have excelled to be named school Dux or the highest academic achiever of their school.

From scientists to writers, these students represent the bright future this region has to offer.

In no particular order, meet your Duxes and highest academic achievers of 2023:

Due to the timing of the St Lukes Anglican College awards night (which is expected to take place in early 2024), we were unable to name their 2023 Dux or highest academic achiever at time of publication.

Bundaberg North State High School – Samuel Close

Bundaberg North State High School student Samuel Close was announced as the school’s Dux at their 2023 annual Presentation Night on October 10.

When commenting on the award Samuel said he was grateful years of academic work had paid off.

“To me, getting the award meant that my efforts have started to pay off and helped with my confidence coming into my final exams,” he said.

“Year 12 is the culmination of my schooling and to be able to achieve this in my last year of school is amazing.”

Bundaberg North SHS Principal Robyn Kent congratulated Samuel, and all the students who received awards at the presentation ceremony.

“It gave us great pleasure to acknowledge the outstanding achievements of our academic, sporting, cultural and service award winners,” she said.

“It was wonderful to see the school community come together to celebrate the wide range of achievements, and see the hard work and dedication of our students duly rewarded.”

Samuel Close was awarded the Bundaberg North State High School dux for 2023.

Kepnock State High School – Senior Dux Chloe Howden, Junior Dux Grace Hardisty

Two students were awarded as Kepnock State High School’s highest academic achievers at their 2023 awards night on November 14.

Year 12 graduate Chloe Howden was awarded senior Dux for 2023, with Year 9 student Grace Hardisty named junior dux.

Chloe Howden spoke on the “esteemed achievement” and credited the support of friends, family and teachers in being named dux.

“It feels great. It’s really fulfilling and rewarding to see my hard work throughout the past six years of high school, especially the last two years in senior schooling, pay off,” she said.

Year 9 student Grace Hardisty stood alongside Chloe on awards night and said she would continue to work towards her academic goals.

“I am very grateful to all my teachers for helping me through school and my assessments, receiving this award couldn’t be possible without them,” she said.

“Having the title of junior dux continues to motivate me to work hard and reach for my goals.”

Grace Hardisty and Chloe Howden named as Kepnock State High School Duxes for 2023. Image credit: Paul Beutel.

Gin Gin State High School – Drew Kitt and Lincoln Murphy

Gin Gin State High School had the pleasure of naming not one, but two senior students as dux for the 2023 school year.

Year 12 students Drew Kitt and Lincoln Murphy were both named as the highest academic achievers.

Acting Principal Elizabeth Walker congratulate the students on becoming shining beacons of academic success for the school and the region, wishing them both the best of

Drew Kitt at the 2023 Gin Gin State High School Formal.

Isis State High School – Senior Dux Sarah Onoprienko, Junior Dux Jorja Pardey

Girl power was on show at the Isis State High School Awards Night held on November 13.

Year 12 student Sarah Onoprienko was named as the school’s senior Dux and Year 10 student Jorja Pardey was named as the school’s Junior Dux.

The awards didn’t stop there with both students awarded with the Australian Defence Force Future Innovators Award.

Jorja Pardey (left) and Sara Onoprienko (right) were named as Isis State High School's 2023 duxes.

Rosedale State School Secondary – Elijah Ho and Atlas Wynne

Much like Gin Gin SHS, Rosedale Secondary have had the honour of naming not one, but two students as their highest academic achievers for 2023.

Elijah Ho and Atlas Wynne were named as the school’s top performing students at the schools annual awards night on November 15.

The students were congratulated by family, friends and staff at the event held on school grounds.

Elijah Ho and Atlas Wynne were named as Rosedale State School - Secondary's top performing students.

Bundaberg Christian College – Jessica Hill

More than a dozen students were celebrated at the Bundaberg Christian College awards night, with friends, family and staff congratulating students on a year of academic success.

Year 12 student Jessica Hill was awarded with the Year 12 Highest Academic Achiever award and named as the 2023 Dux.

Not to stop there, Jessica was also one of three students awarded with the Ampol Best All-Rounder Award and the 2023 College Company Award for Christian Character.

Jessica Hill took home a host of awards at the Bundaberg Christian College awards evening, including being named the 2023 dux.

Bundaberg State High School

While students from Bundaberg State High School await their final grades from the Queensland Curriculum and Assembly Authority, five students from the school are perhaps even more anxious.

The high school currently have five students in the running to be named as the 2023, with these final results deciding the schools highest academic achiever.

Best of luck to Charlie Batterham, Amelia Blaine, Georgia Herbener, Joshua Kaluzyn and Erica Milliken.

Shalom College was contacted but did not respond by deadline.