This year’s cohort of Limestone Coast Year 12 students eagerly awaited their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) results yesterday morning.
Grant High School claimed top honours again this year with student Ruby Wallace being celebrated as the Dux of the Limestone Coast with her outstanding ATAR of 98.50.
This follows on from last year when Grant High School’s Gemma Ralph claimed the top spot with an ATAR of 99.05.
GRANT HIGH SCHOOL
Grant High School Year 12 student Ruby Wallace was the Dux of the Limestone Coast and top achiever at Grant High School with her ATAR of 98.50.
Ruby was also awarded with a Governor of South Australia Commendation for Outstanding Achievement in Academic Excellence which she said she was honoured and grateful to receive.
“I was not expecting an ATAR as good as mine was, let alone an award,” she said.
Grant High School newcomer Zeb Chant was runner up with 95.60 followed by Lily Delaland with 95.15.
Miss Wallace will take a gap year before moving to Adelaide for university where she is looking to pursue psychology or outdoor education.
This year she studied outdoor education, general mathematics, media studies, psychology, English literary studies, activating identities and futures and two university subjects in the Flinders University Extension Studies; perspectives on disability and intro to sociology.
Grant High School principal Caroline Wakefield congratulated the Year 12 class of 2023 for their exemplary achievements.
“Once again Grant High School students have excelled, showcasing not only their academic strengths but also their resilience and dedication,” she said.
“We are immensely proud of each student who has navigated the challenges of this academic year with perseverance and tenacity.
“A special commendation goes to Ruby Wallace for securing an ATAR of 98.50.
“This remarkable accomplishment is a testament to Ruby’s unwavering commitment to her studies.”
MOUNT GAMBIER HIGH SCHOOL
Mount Gambier High School’s Dux was Amber Thompson with an ATAR of 95.25 followed by Alice Tentye (90.70) and Zarly Jones (86.50).
Mount Gambier High School senior school assistant principal Samantha Brown said while the most visible results were the ATAR’s, it was important to acknowledge and celebrate the many individual success stories of personal bests and individual growth behind the results.
“These include those who have gained apprenticeships, traineeships or employment throughout the year or utilised Vocational Education and Training to complete their studies,” she said.
“It is a celebration of student leadership, perseverance towards achieving goals and dedication to embracing opportunities.
“We would like to thank the supportive community behind every student; parents/caregivers and family, teachers and support staff.
“Through this collective effort and commitment, students have been supported to achieve their best and ensure their success in the future.”
ST MARTINS LUTHERAN COLLEGE
Country students claimed four of the top six ATAR results from St Martins Lutheran College for 2023.
Year 12 student Jack Unger from Naracoorte claimed the school’s Dux honours, receiving an impressive 93.10 ATAR for his efforts in mathematical methods, specialist maths, physics and robotics and electronic systems.
He was closely followed by 2023 college captain Bella Lawrie (93.05, Mount Gambier), Bryce Thornhill (91.20, Lucindale), David Dai (89.00, Naracoorte), Bridie McPherson (88.15, Mount Gambier) and Hugh Davenport (87.10, Naracoorte).
Mr Unger juggled his studies with a daily two-and-a-half-hour commute on the school bus, alongside working two jobs.
“I just did as much work as I could at school and that minimised the amount of homework I had, allowing me to work (during Year 12 as well),” he said.
“It was a fun year. I enjoyed the learning aspect of it, I enjoyed learning new things.”
Mr Unger intends to continue working in Naracoorte full-time until January 2025, when he intends to pursue a Bachelor of IT, specialising in cyber security.
St Martins SACE Coordinator Connie Ferraro commended all students on their achievements, especially those like Mr Unger who travelled from country townships.
“Jack’s been very academic focused throughout his time at St Martins, so it’s great to see that pay off for him,” she said.
“I’m in awe of these students and the distances they travel each day. The fact that a lot of our top achievers have done that for several years just speaks to their commitment.”
TENISON WOODS COLLEGE
Sophie Wrightson was named the Tenison Woods College Dux with an ATAR of 98.30.
The top three were rounded out by college captain Aden Clarke (96.00) and Lydia Nashed (95.65).
Miss Wrightson will be working in the laboratory at Wynn’s Winery in 2024, during her gap year.
In 2025, she will be attending University of Adelaide to study a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering.
Miss Wrightson studied English, biology, physics, activating identities and futures, mathematical methods and specialist maths.
Mr Clarke will be completing a traineeship as a classroom ESO at Tenison Woods College.
He would like to study a Masters of Secondary Education and ultimately become a philosophy, psychology, English literary studies or history teacher.
Meanwhile, Miss Nashed will be heading to university in 2024 with her first preference being a Bachelor of Medicine at Flinders in Adelaide or JCU in Queensland.
Miss Nashed’s second preference is Speech Pathology at the University of Adelaide.
