Townsville Grammar School student Saachi Hira gains perfect ATAR result

Townsville student Saachi Hira explains what she believed were the secrets to her 99.95 ATAR score.

Townsville Grammar students Saachi Hira and Freya Boggild scored 99.95 and 99.89 for ATAR. Picture: Evan Morgan

When ATAR administrators phoned a Townsville Grammar Student who received the highest score possible, she thought it was a scam caller.  

Saachi Hira is among 34 students across Queensland to receive 99.95 after studying a combination of specialist mathematics, physics, literature and biology.

She plans on studying medicine but is divided between studying in Townsville to be with her parents, or to move to Melbourne to be closer to her aunt.

Ms Hira did not expect to have such a high result and when administrators of ATAR kept phoning her, she assumed it was a scam caller, until her parents made her answer the phone.

But she said the secret to her success was in making sure she slept enough hours, and had a balanced life beyond study.

Ms Hira would study but in short bursts so that she would be more productive in those periods, but she would also volunteer at the Townsville University Hospital.

“Alongside that I’ve had debating, had a lot of house captain stuff, I took a lot of time perfecting,” she said.

“I used to do rowing, I tried doing it but I couldn’t keep it up.”

The issue with rowing was that it required waking up early in the morning, and sleep was such an important factor to Ms Hira.  

“I think kids study too hard and then don’t sleep, but then their study becomes meaningless, so I used to sleep at least nine hours every day.

“I never got under that because at least even if I did 20 minutes (study), it would be worth it.”

Townsville Grammar School director of curriculum Carolyn Moores said five students had received scores above 99, and the other students were Phillipa Dowling, 99.9, Freya Boggild, 99.85, Sienna Caniato, 99.35, and Maher Zulfiquer, 99.15.

To put that into context with the outdated system phased out in 2020, anything above 99 was the equivalent of an OP 1.

“They work really hard for two years and it all comes down to those last final exams where they work the hardest,” Ms Moores said.

“The teachers in the school are really putting all their time and energy into the students, giving up breaks and lunchtimes and things to help them out when they get stuck.

“So it’s a good achievement for the staff as well.”

Student Freya Boggild also planned to study medicine and was also considering moving to Melbourne.

“I’ve always been someone who has loved science, and I would also consider myself a people person,” Ms Boggild said.

“And I think that would be the best way for me to use those skills and also make a difference in people’s lives.”

She said juggling her study with other aspects of her life such as dancing had been difficult for her, but her advice for future high school graduates was to “stay busy” beyond school, and use the support that teachers offered.

“Don’t ever hold back from asking questions,” Ms Boggild said.

“They’re the people who can probably help you the most.

“Don’t just study, balance your life with the things that you love doing.”

Ignatius Park College also received high results, with school dux Liam Sutton receiving a score of 98.75, and Daniel Mosch receiving 97.35.

Principal Shaun Clarke said that over 38 per cent of Year 12 students received an ATAR score above 80.

”Their results are a testament to their individual and collective strength, resilience and determination to achieve their personal best,” Mr Clarke said. 

Originally published as Townsville Grammar School student Saachi Hira gains perfect ATAR result