Revealed: How Queensland’s biggest schools performed in ATAR

The Year 12 ATAR results of some of Queensland’s biggest schools can be exclusively revealed in yet another magical milestone for the Class of 2024. SEARCH THE TABLE

• Meet Brisbane’s top 80+ duxes
• Every Qld school’s NAPLAN results

Some of Queensland’s largest schools have revealed their ATAR results as graduates across the state officially celebrated another milestone after thirteen years of schooling.

Brisbane Girls Grammar School has emerged as the one of the state’s top performing Year 12 school with an incredible 85 per cent of its cohort achieving an ATAR of 90 or above.

BGGS had one student attain the highest ATAR possible with the 2024 cohort’s median ATAR sitting at a mighty 96.20.

Brother school, Brisbane Grammar School, landed an average score of 95.4, with St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ College following behind with a median of 94.1.

Recent BGGS graduate Sophie List, who received an ATAR of 98.9 said she woke up abundantly early to see her final grades that were released at midnight.

“I was like of what if it comes out early so I got up early and was just refreshing the page with my coffee and my mum,” Ms List said.

Hoping to improve the workforce shortage across the states health system shortage Charlotte Kennedy said she wasn’t very stressed about her result as long as it would be enough to study nursing and midwifery.

“I’ve known for years what I’ve wanted to do, I’ve always wanted to go into obstetrics - I’d love to go do med one day,” she said.

“And so when I knew that I didn’t want to go do UCAT, I was like, oh, midwifery just seemed like it was obvious to do as an undergrad.”

Brisbane Girls Grammar School graduates Scout Sommerfeld, Sophie List, Freya Lennon, Charlotte Kennedy, Zara Davis celebrate their ATAR. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Breaking multiple records this year was Brisbane Boys’ College who had two of their students achieve a 99.95 and recorded their strongest median score of 91.40 since the introduction of the ATAR system.

The class of 2024 also achieved the highest percentage of 95+ scores, 90+ scores, and 80+ scores in the schools history.

Deputy Headmaster Scott Murphy said the school were “immensely proud” of the graduating class and the results they achieved.

“We’ve worked incredibly closely with these guys, many who come through the junior school program as well ... and so we ride every wave with them,” Mr Murphy said.

“As I often say to them, their ATAR is a score. It does not define them. It gets them to a destination, but those characteristics that we hopefully have instilled take them even further into the workplace, or the gap year or industry, wherever it may be.”

Michael Ye, Joshua Liew, Sam Wojcik, Ben Eom, Atticus Moore, Alex Fung of Brisbane Boys’ College. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Dux Alexander Fung, 18, ranked among some of the states top achievers attaining a 99.90 ATAR and was given a Distinguished Academic Achiever Award.

Mr Fung said he was hoping to study a Bachelor of Mathematics and Arts at the University of Queensland and is looking forward to embarking on study outside of school.

“I feel like I tried my best, did as best as I could,” he said.

“I just hope to do as many different things as possible, try different places ... and job hop throughout the four years.”

Minister for Education John-Paul Langbroek commended all graduates on their exceptional efforts over the past two years.

“All of you have worked extremely hard, with the support of your teachers, family and friends,” Mr Langbroek said.

“I’d like to acknowledge the talented individuals who achieved an impressive score of 99.95.

“Anyone who didn’t quite get the result they were looking for shouldn’t be disheartened. There are many avenues you can explore, including VET or bridging course pathways.”

St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School

At St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Yanny Cai came out on top, achieving an ATAR of 99.95.

After constantly refreshing the ATAR portal page at midnight, Ms Cai was relieved when she finally found out her results.

“I was refreshing the page, I was paranoid. But now I am just really relieved and happy,” she said.

“I am hoping to do medicine at Griffith University, Gold Coast specifically, I just really love their campus.”

Classmate, Tessa Kift, who received an ATAR of 99.75, stopped her commute to work to see her results.

“I was definitely very stressed out this morning. I was actually on my way to work,” Ms Kift said.

”I am hoping to do medicine at the University of Queensland with provisional entry, but otherwise Griffith or James Cook University – pretty much anywhere that’ll take me.”

St Aidan’s dean of studies Laura Cooke said the school was “so proud” of their students.

“Each an every one of them have done an incredible job. They have done phenomenal,” Ms Cooke said.

“They have all turned into such well-rounded people, that is so important to us.

“A massive congratulations from us to them and the families that support them, the teaching staff – really does take a village to raise these girls through school.”

Brisbane Grammar School

51 per cent of Brisbane Grammar School’s senior cohort scored an ATAR of 95.

Of the 262 students, five students achieved an ATAR rank of 99.95, and five students secured an ATAR of 99.90.

The median score across the cohort was 95.4, which was 0.9 points higher than 2023.

Deputy headmaster Steve Uscinski said the staff were “absolutely delighted” with the performance from their students.

“Combined with our dedicated teaching staff, academic support teams, and educational leaders has fostered an environment of holistic development, ensuring our students achieve excellence both in and outside the classroom,” he said.

On Wednesday the QCE results were released, revealing 75 per cent of BGS students received an A’ in at least three of their six subjects.

“It was our best performing cohort ever in terms of numbers of perfect subject schools,” Mr Uscinski said.

St Joseph’s Nudgee College:

With seven students receiving an ATAR of 99 or higher and 14 achieving 98 or higher, St Joseph’s Nudgee College said they have recorded some outstanding results this year.

“The 2024 Senior cohort’s outstanding ATAR results speak to their perseverance, effort, and unwavering dedication to their studies”, Nudgee College Principal, Mr Scott Thomson said.

“At Nudgee College, through a broad curriculum and extensive pathway options, students can mould their academic journey with subjects and experiences that align with their future aspirations. We look forward to seeing this cohort thrive in whatever they pursue.”

Sunshine Coast Grammar School

Six students scored in the top 1 per cent of the state this year attaining an ATAR of 99 or above, with a large percentage of the cohort scoring an 80 or above.

Sunshine Coast Grammar School principal Anna Owen

Sunshine Coast Grammar School Principal Anna Owen, expressed her pride in the graduating cohort, acknowledging their remarkable accomplishments as a testament to the school’s high-quality education and supportive learning environment.

“The Class of 2024 has truly excelled, demonstrating their ability to rise to the challenge and achieve at the highest level. These results are a reflection of our students’ hard work, the expertise and commitment of our dedicated staff, and the support of families who have journeyed alongside them,” Ms Owen said.

Marist College Ashgrove

Head of College Michael Newman said he was proud of his students’ achievements.

“Achieving 53 per cent of students with an ATAR above 90.00 is a testament to the collective effort of the Marist College Ashgrove community,” he said.

“This outstanding result reflects the dedication of our staff, the exceptional work ethic of our students, and the unwavering support of their families. We couldn’t be prouder of the boys and the bright futures ahead of them.”