Toowong high school students post world-beating results

Year 12 students at a westside high school have been revealed as some of the highest achievers in the world. Seven posted “perfect’’ results in a rigorous international diploma. SEE THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

The class of 2021 at Toowong’s “smart state’’ academy are jumping for joy after posting the school’s best ever Year 12 results.

In a stunning performance, every one of the Queensland Academy for Science, Mathematics and Technology Year 12s were awarded an International Baccalaureate (IB), an extremely rigorous diploma with an international focus.

IBs are separate to Australian Tertiary Admission Rankings (ATARs), which most Queensland students receive on graduation.

Seven QASMT Year 12s — Annabelle Green, Ruby Kim, Richard Nguyen, Rosie Rosenberg, Binglin Song, Ken Wu and Gloria Xu — received a 45, the highest possible under the IB system.

QASMT student Ken Wu scored a perfect 45 on his IB.

Another 21 students achieved the next best result of 44, while 91 students achieved 40 or more.

About 45 per cent of the Year 12 cohort achieved an ATAR equivalent of 97.9 or better.

That compares with the school often thought of as Queensland’s top achiever, Brisbane Grammar School, where 18.6 per cent of its graduates received an ATAR of 99 or better.

In Queensland, 14 schools offer senior students the opportunity to complete an IB diploma including Indooroopilly State High School, Cleveland District State High School, St Peters Lutheran College (Indooroopilly) and Somerset College.

QASMT student Gloria Xu scored a perfect 45 on his IB.

Students undertake six academic subjects, including a second language, and must also complete a theory of knowledge course, an extended essay and a non-academic activity such as sport or service to the community.

Queensland’s 14 IB schools landed an average mark of 36.11 in 2021, compared with a global average of 32.37.

But QASMT’s Year 12s achieved an even higher average of 38.53.

Principal Kath Kayrooz said she was very proud of the “phenomenal’’ effort.

“It’s our best year, but more importantly the students did it after two years of a pandemic,’’ Ms Kayrooz said.

QASMT student Richard Nguyen scored a perfect 45 on his IB.

“I’m not sure why they did so well, but parents and teachers were highly engaged due to Covid and our students are the type of students who take very well to online learning.

“It’s fair to say our teachers certainly worked harder, including running more tutorials.’’

SOME OF QASMT’S TOP PERFORMERS IN 2021

QASMT student Rosalita Rosenberg scored a perfect 45 on his IB.

ROSALITA (ROSIE) ROSENBERG

The inaugural International Mindedness Captain and Summa Cum Laude recipient was also awarded the IB Student of the Year.

She placed first in the University of Queensland economics competition as well as the team competition round of the Australian Brain Bee challenge (QLD/NT).

If that were not enough, she received the Best Social Inspiration award in physics at Kamnoetvidya Science Academy Invitational Science Fair.

Rosie was a founder and leader of the school’s peer mentoring/tutoring service and founder and leader of the Junior Book Club.

She was also a Science Ambassador and school representative to the Lord Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council.

She said the tough IB program helped foster strong friendships and also strong bonds with her teachers.

Rosie is planning to study a Bachelor of Philosophy – Science (Honours) program at the Australian National University.

“This program will give me the freedom to both explore the natural sciences and do research with professors from year one,’’ she said.

RUBY KIM

QASMT student Ruby Kim scored a perfect 45 on her IB.

Ruby was a Gold Academic Excellence Award recipient and member of the Hawking House leadership team.

As a Hawking House Ambassador, Ruby epitomised House spirit and was a vibrant and integral part of the leadership team, especially regarding communications.

Ruby hopes to take her passion for biology and work somewhere in the science field and possibly overseas study in future.

BINGLIN SONG

Binglin Song achieved a perfect 45.

The Silver Academic Excellence Award recipient was part of the wind orchestra at QASMT and participated in the State Honours Ensemble Program in 2020.

He also completed his Certificate III in Laboratory skills and Certificate II in Measurement and Sampling at TAFE Queensland.

Binglin said studying subjects from varying disciplines at QASMT allowed him to diversify his knowledge and discover new interests.

Some of his more memorable experiences were the extra-curricular activities, such as camp and athletics carnivals.

“Perhaps the most fun I have had during my time at QASMT was the ski trip — skiing down the slopes of Mt Kosciuszko with my friends is undoubtedly one of my most cherished memories,’’ he said.

Academic highlights were the Group 4 Project he completed in Year 11 which allowed him and his peers to share their passion in science to younger students.

Binglin particularly enjoyed economics, mathematics and biology at QASMT and would like to pursue these interests further in university.

ANNABELLE GREEN

Annabelle Green achieved a perfect 45.

The 2021 school captain said she was privileged with the opportunity to improve the quality of life for her fellow students among the leadership team.

During her time at the academy, she participated in a wide variety of extra curriculars from the QASMT Sound and Production team to the FTC Robotics teams, where she became a Deans List Finalist within the competition.

Annabelle is planning to study honours in engineering at the University of Queensland and afterwards complete her masters overseas.