Beenleigh High’s Erynn to put OP1 to use in rocket science

Shooting for the stars was always in the sights of this southeast Queensland student. She chalked up her school’s first OP1 in 12 years and she has out-of-this-world plans for her future.

Erynn Dernelley and Beenleigh State High’s Head of Science James Mackney.

SHOOTING for the stars was always in the sights of Beenleigh State High School graduate Erynn Dernelley, who chalked up the school’s first OP1 in 12 years.

Beenleigh state High Dux 2018 Erynn Dernelley.

Erynn, a mature, passionate and dedicated student, who was also named the school’s Dux for 2018, was rewarded for her hard work with the highest score possible in the Queensland Education system.

Her academic success also gained her a place at the table at the prestigious Gilmour Space Technologies, in Pimpama, near her Beenleigh home.

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Erynn Dernelley, second from right, with staff from start-up business Gilmour Space Technologies, which secured $19 million funding from Blackbird Ventures and Main Sequence Ventures to develop low-cost rockets helping to turn Australia’s world-class research into new business opportunities and more jobs.

The elite Gilmour Space Technologies is famous for its work developing hybrid-engine rockets to support the development of a low-cost space launch vehicle.

At Gilmour Erynn has been conducting research and experiments into chemical reactions that may affect space travel.

While working at Gilmour, Erynn will also study a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Chemistry at Queensland University of Technology where she has just received a Vice-Chancellor’s Full Scholarship, to continue her work in the space science industry.

An artist’s impression of Gilmour Space Technologies' Eris orbital rocket.

Beenleigh High principal Matt O’Hanlon said Erynn had “an incredibly focused attitude” towards her studies.

“She also was a strong willed young woman who was not afraid to voice her opinion in the quest for answers,” he said.

“This is an outstanding testament to Erynn and her diligence, given she completed most of her Year 12 studies, during Year 11.”

Erynn, 18, who always contributed and led class discussions with informed and well-researched opinions, said she wasn’t expecting to receive an OP1.

“I wasn’t expecting an OP1 at all. My course only needs an OP13.”

She will attend the prestigious Regional Dux Award dinner on February 19 along with duxes from 12 other schools.