Year 12s salute early present

Year 12 graduates welcomed an early Christmas present this week, with exam results released ahead of schedule and the region’s students posting bumper results.

While many schools are yet to crunch all numbers, stand-out performers are already emerging.

Jamie McGregor, who lives in Busselton and graduated from Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School scored 99.85, putting him among the top 50-odd of almost 12,000 graduates.

Georgiana Molloy Anglican School dux Angus Jackson was among the top 70 for the State, scoring 99.8.

Ben Salmond, who was St Mary MacKillop’s head boy and dux received 99.15, placing him among the top 2.42 per cent.

St Mary’s communications officer Linda Tolley said a preliminary look showed the school had an increase in median score and had eight scores above 90.

Also experiencing an increase in median score was Busselton Senior High School, which was up about 20 per cent on last year.

The school also appears to have achieved 100 per cent attainment, meaning every graduate has a certificate or more than 50 per cent on their ATAR. “This means everyone left with something and that’s a great outcome,” BSHS principal Dainon Couzic said.

“We had some great results this year. It shows we’re up there, competing with the best of them.”

BSHS’s top score went to Ronin Bleach, with 96.35 — putting him in the top 10 per cent.

Cornerstone Christian College principal Garry Maynard said of the 16 graduates, eight were doing ATAR subjects.

“We are very pleased for our students for their final results,” he said.

“Some of them achieved even better than they were expecting.”

The results were released one day ahead of schedule and will guide graduates on their higher education options.

Tertiary Institutions Service Centre executive officer Wayne Betts said ATAR was a useful tool for university admission purposes, but stressed it needed to be “kept in perspective”.

“No single number can capture all the qualities that may make someone a successful university student,” he said.

“That’s why other ways of assessing students, such as portfolios, auditions or aptitude tests are used for some courses alongside or sometimes instead of the ATAR.”

Cape Naturaliste College principal Mark Gillett said he was proud of his students’ results, and their general efforts throughout the school year.

“Year 12 is a taxing year for students and for their families that support them as they prepare for their post-school careers,” he said.