TCC dux Grace Crow to study high school teaching after receiving impressive ATAR

A private school captain and Dux who has her pick of any university degree in the country has shocked everyone with her career choice despite receiving one of the highest ATAR scores in the state.

The positive influence of countless educators and a stint at a Rockhampton music school helped determine Grace Crow’s career choice.

The Cathedral College’s 2021 school captain and dux plans to study high school teaching after receiving an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) of 99.65.

The highest possible rank is 99.95.

Grace said she was “over the moon” about her result.

“I feel very relieved probably more than anything,” she said.

“I’ve been on a bit of a high for the past couple of days.

“I was hoping to get over 99 and all my predictions had been over 99 so I was pretty confident that I could get that but I’m super happy to have ended up with what I got.”

Grace Crow was dux and school captain of The Cathedral College in 2021.

Grace hopes to study teaching at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, with a view to specialising in what were her two pet subjects - maths and English.

She said she was passionate about teaching, a profession she is sure will be enriching and incredibly satisfying.

“There’s a bit of stigma around getting such a high score and going into teaching, which doesn’t require a really high ATAR,” she said.

“I have actually been told that I’m underselling myself but I don’t think that’s true at all.

“I see teachers as the people who foster the great innovators, the great creators, the great mathematicians of the world and I think it’s a great career path and will be a rewarding career.”

The Cathedral College dux Grace Crow says she was “over the moon” with her ATAR.

Grace said she became certain about her study choice about 12 months ago.

“I was really lucky for the past three years to have worked as a music teacher at Major Player Music School so I had exposure to a teaching work environment,” she said.

“It took me two years but I realised that I loved it there and that’s what I want to pursue.”

Grace always loved school, and the positive and supportive learning environment at TCC had also made her realise that’s the kind of workplace she wanted to be part of.

“I’m particularly grateful for principal Rob Alexander who was not only my maths methods teacher but also guided me in my leadership journey as a school captain,” she said.

“His patience, confidence, conscientiousness and high but achievable standards in the classroom are qualities I want to emulate in the future.

“I have a lot of respect for him and all my teachers.”

Grace said her four older sisters - among them Anna, who is also studying teaching at QUT - had been great role models and sources of inspiration.

The Cathedral College students Chloe Coombe and Grace Crow both achieved ATARs of more than 99.

She also acknowledged her classmate Chloe Coombe, who achieved TCC’s second-highest ATAR of 99.60.

“I was grateful to have Chloe working alongside me,” Grace said.

“I wouldn’t say a rivalry but there was friendly competition between us.

“I could see in her what I was capable of and that motivated me to work really hard.

“While we were neck and neck the whole year, if she hadn’t been there I don’t think I would have achieved as well as did.”

Grace will celebrate her 18th birthday on Friday before enjoying Christmas festivities with her family.

She said she was excited about what Brisbane and university life will offer.

“It’s very appealing to me just to go out and explore and be independent,” she said.

“I’m excited for the next phase of my life, this next chapter.”

Originally published as TCC dux Grace Crow to study high school teaching after receiving impressive ATAR