Whitsunday Anglican School celebrates top ATAR scorers, Mackay students brace for next step

After years of study, stress and exams the wait for final ATAR scores is finally over with Mackay’s high-scoring graduates already planning their first steps into the real world.

ATAR results are out and after a year of study, exams and stress Mackay’s year 12s are ready to head into the real world.

Whitsunday Anglican School year 12s Dylan Itzstein, Hayley Wilkins and Eden Bagley were beaming as their near perfect scores came in.

School captain Haley Wilkins said her score of 99.6 was more than enough to get into a veterinarian course in Townsville to eventually become a vet surgeon.

School captain Haley Wilkins is hoping to become a vet surgeon following study in Townsville. Photo: Fergus Gregg

“It felt very gratifying to have all my hard work over the last three years pay off,” Ms Wilkins said.

To get her score she studied English and literature extension over “hours and hours”, only starting in term four of year 11.

“It’s been a lot of work, a lot of effort and a hard slog, but I’m very glad it’s over.”

During her time at Whitsunday Anglican School, she was awarded the Lions Youth of the Year Zone Final and Rats of Tobruk Roll of Honour Award and will be graduating with straight As.

Vice-captain Eden Bagley just narrowly edged out her captain with a 99.8. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Her vice-captain Eden Bagley scored 99.8 and said, “it doesn’t really feel real yet”.

“During the exams it was nerve wracking,” Ms Bagley said.

“ATAR was always in the back of my mind.”

Ms Bagley is looking to move to Brisbane and study a bachelor of physiotherapy at UQ.

She credited her school with supporting her with before and after school study sessions and lots of updates along the way.

“I never felt that I lacked any support.

Dylan Itzstein said he wasn't too stressed over his ATAR score, knowing he'd already done everything he could. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Dylan Itzstein’s hard work paid off with a score of 99.85 and said he had recovered after the hard work of exams.

“I wasn’t stressed too much, there was nothing left I could do,” Mr Itzstein said.

Mackay North State High School James Bonello is now looking to go into medicine with a strong score of 97.4. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Mackay North State High school student James Bonello, like Mr Itzstein, didn’t sweat his ATARs.

“I was pretty confident with most of my subjects and exams,” Mr Bonello said.

The graduate “couldn’t be happier” with the support he received from his teachers at Mackay North State High which led to his score of 97.4.

Throughout the year he participated in the running club, year 7 peer mentoring and did the Mackay Marina Run.

Following his high school career, he’s applied to James Cook University in Townsville to study medicine, but will settle for engineering if he doesn’t get in.

In the meantime, he’s looking forward to a summer of relaxing, fishing and enjoying himself.

Whitsunday Anglican School year 12s Dylan Itzstein, Hayley Wilkins and Eden Bagley were beaming as their near perfect scores came in. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Whitsunday Anglican School Principal Andrew Wheaton said twenty-two per cent of students attained an ATAR of 99 and above, and 59 per cent achieved 90 and above in 2024.

“We are incredibly proud of all our students who embarked on either an ATAR, or Vocational pathway this year,” Mr Wheaton said, adding that for students who may not have gotten the result they wanted, there were many different pathways into their chosen careers and university.

“If you want something enough and it’s your dream and passion you’ll always get there,” he said.

“Congratulations to all our students and families.”

Whitsunday Anglican School’s ATAR success comes after topping the Mackay region in NAPLAN scores.

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Originally published as Whitsunday Anglican School celebrates top ATAR scorers, Mackay students brace for next step