Revealed: Toowoomba’s top performing year 12 students

If you’re a member of the 2021 year 12 Toowoomba cohort, chances are you have plenty to smile about after the ATAR results were released.

Toowoomba Grammar School students (from left) Hugh Wilson, Zen De Silva, Aaron Palmer, Zain Hafeez-Baig and Sathu Eswaran. Friday, December 17, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

All the hard work has paid off for many of the region’s year 12 students, some of who are among the state’s top academic performers.

Results which were released on Friday, revealed 23% of Toowoomba Grammar School’s 2021 senior cohort, scored an ATAR between 95 and 99.95.

When compared to the entire state, this same result was achieved by just 6% of students across Queensland.

Toowoomba Grammar School students (from left) Zen De Silva, Aaron Palmer, Hugh Wilson, Sathu Eswaran and Zain Hafeez-Baig. Friday, December 17, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Among the seven top performing seniors at TGS were Zen De Silva, Hugh Wilson, Sathu Eswaran and Zain Hafeez-Baig.

But ultimately it was Aaron Palmer who has been crowned this year’s dux for TGS.

“It’s a very nice feeling, but I’m a bit surprised to be honest because we had a very strong cohort,” he said.

“I’ve always enjoyed the maths and science subjects and chemistry probably became my favourite in year 12, because I had a really good teacher.”

Toowoomba Grammar's Dux of school for 2021 is Aaron Palmer. Friday, December 17, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Along with his peers, the 18-year-old is waiting to hear back from tertiary schools, before he decides what university to attend, but he plans to study medicine.

The year 12 graduate also offered some sound advice to students heading into their final year of school.

“Aim for 100% – you probably won’t get 100%, but if you aim for the best and fall, you’ll still fall higher than the rest of the state,” Mr Palmer said.

“I’ve got a really good friend group … most of them are really academic and all of them work hard, so that made it easier.”

Toowoomba Grammar's Dux of school for 2021 is Aaron Palmer. Friday, December 17, 2021. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Released last weekend, the results have revealed Alex Myers as the St Mary’s College dux, scoring an outstanding 99.50.

But for the high school graduate, the best is yet to come.

Hoping to pursue a career as a physicist, scientist or mathematician, Mr Myers is still deciding what course to commence at The University of Queensland (UQ) next year.

“I have always tried my hardest and put my best into everything, and over the years I developed my study skills and habits … it just became natural for me,” he said.

“I just focused on each task and took everything one step at a time and knew I had to keep going even when I had disappointments or hardships.

“My teachers guidance throughout my time (at school) definitely impacted me – they always got me through my struggles, and I knew they were in my corner.”

Alex Myers has been announced as the 2021 dux for St Mary's College.

Meanwhile, Harristown State High School graduate Jeanne Shukurani received an early university admission.

Even before Ms Shukurani had completed her final exams, she had accepted her bachelor of nursing offer at the University of Southern Queensland.

“I became really interested in the medical field during my senior high school years and began researching biology,” Ms Shukurani said.
“It’s fascinating how the body works, how it fixes itself and how we can fix it as well.”

Students are eligible for USQ’s Early Offer program through a recommendation from the school principal or delegate or by completing a head start course through the university.

The Harristown State High School dux for 2021 is Cienna Beveridge.

While at St Mary’s College, 100% of the year 12 class attained their Queensland Certificate of Education and 53% of ATAR eligible students achieved a score of 80 or higher.

Jeanne Shukurani has been announced as the 2021 dux for Harristown State High School.

Top performing year 12 students for 2021:

• Toowoomba Grammar School – Aaron Palmer

• St Mary’s College – Alex Myers

• Oakey State High School – Connie-Jane Creevey

• Pittsworth State High School – Gemma Cronin

• Toowoomba State High School – Amy Wells

• Wilsonton State High School – Jordan Winchester

• Harristown State High School – Cienna Beveridge

• St Ursula’s College – Elizabeth Yevdokimov

Please note this list will be updated regularly as results are confirmed.