Friends’ School students score top International Baccalaureate diploma results

Results for the international alternative to the ATAR are in and students from one of Tasmania’s top schools snapped up some very impressive scores.

ONE of Tasmania’s most prestigious schools has snapped up some incredible results in the international alternative to the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank.

The International Baccalaureate diploma results were released Friday, with 21 Friends’ School students completing the diploma and Australian students making up 42 per cent of the world’s highest-achieving pupils.

Among them are Friends’ graduates Sajiv Rao, 17, of Tolmans Hill, and Emilie Ayre, 18, of Sandy Bay.

Friends students Sajiv Rao, 17 and Emilie Ayre, 18 completed the International Baccalaureate. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

The IB diploma is made up of six subject groups.

The pair made no plans for post-result parties because they were unsure whether they would be celebrating or commiserating.

They both said balancing study with activities was a challenge last year and felt lucky that their diploma would be recognised by universities around the world.

Sajiv will study a double degree in science/engineering at UTAS this year.

“It’s reassurance of all the hard work I put in,” he said.

“I’ve always had an interest in science and my science teacher really inspired me.

“I would like to get into aeronautical engineer.”

TASMANIA’S HIGH ACHIEVERS 2019

Emilie plans to study dentistry. She is taking a gap year during which she will travel in South-East Asia and undertake voluntary work and get a job.

“I’m so happy that my hard work has paid off,” she said. “This school has been amazing.”

A perfect IB score is 45, equal to a 99.95 ATAR.

The global average for IB students was 28.5 while at Friends’ it was 33.1.

CLAIMS STUDENTS’ END-OF-YEAR RESULTS WERE MISCALCULATED

Friends’ International Baccalaureate Diploma co-ordinator Sarah Walker said the IB changes the way students think and provides global opportunities.

“An average ATAR of 90 is affirmation of how hard students and teachers have worked,” she said.

The only other Tasmanian school with the IB is the Southern Christian College in Kingston.

“It’s about rigorous inquiry-based learning and worldwide contexts,” Southern Christian College principal Alan Lawson said.

“The IB encourages creativity and confidence in exploring. Kids learn to ask the big questions and to be confident in taking responsibility and ownership for their learning.”