ATAR Results

95.3%

received an ATAR of 80 or above Two students received 100/100

across three subjects One student achieved 99.95

63.5%

received an ATAR of 90 or above

MEDIAN ATAR 92.25

40%

received an ATAR of 95 or above

8.2%

received an ATAR of 99 or above

7

of the Year 12 cohort achieved an ATAR of 99 or above

34

of the Year 12 cohort achieved an ATAR of 95 or above

54

of the Year 12 cohort achieved an ATAR of 90 or above

81

of the Year 12 cohort achieved an ATAR of 80 or above

18

students received As in all their subjects studied ZARA CAMPBELL OLIVIA DONOGHUE

Zara Campbell, 2021 co-school captain and recipient of the Raymond Rees Award for Dux (internal), received an ATAR of 99.95, the highest possible ATAR score and has commenced studying Medical Science at Griffith University. She follows in the footsteps of her older sister Eva (’20), who is currently into her second year of the same degree. While Zara is not entirely sure what her future in medicine holds, she is confident she wants to specialise and is interested in plastic and reconstructive surgery so that she can improve the quality of life of those affected by burns or disease. At St Margaret’s, Zara enjoyed learning about the human anatomy and found chemistry fascinating. She said these passions, nurtured at school, inspired her to study medicine. Co-school captain Olivia Donoghue was one of seven St Margaret’s students who achieved an ATAR of 99 or higher, placing her among the top one per cent of the State. Hailing from the small town of Bollon in South West Queensland, Olivia is thrilled to be studying medicine at James Cook University this year, which offers a specific emphasis on rural, remote and tropical healthcare. ‘I was drawn to medicine for a combination of reasons. Firstly, I have always enjoyed science, particularly biology and chemistry in my senior years at St Margaret’s. Secondly, having grown up in a small town, I am eager to address the issue of limited access to and use of health care services in rural areas,’ Olivia said.

Sophia Wightman, who received an ATAR of 92.25, plans to follow her passion for maths and science, studying biomedical engineering at Sydney University. Aspiring to pursue a career in prosthetics, Sophia is drawn to the impact she can make through designing and developing medical aids that will ultimately improve the health and quality of life for others.

Having studied Specialist Mathematics, Mathematical Methods, Physics, Biology and English, Sophia says she was influenced by her teachers and several other opportunities at school that helped open her eyes to the wide-ranging fields of engineering and the endless career possibilities. While at St Margaret’s, Sophia balanced her academic studies with her passion for rowing as a member of St Margaret’s rowing shed and the winning First VIII crew, in addition to the Queensland and Australian rowing teams. She will continue to pursue her sporting goal to one day row at the Olympics by joining the Sydney University Rowing Club (like several alumni before her).

SCHOLARS INSPIRE

In April this year, the success of our top ATAR performing students from the Class of 2021 will be celebrated at a special Scholars’ Assembly. This annual tradition is an opportunity to honour each scholar for their achievements and to award the QCE Subject Prizes for those students who achieved the highest overall subject result. It is also an opportunity to encourage and inspire the current cohort of Years 11 and 12 students, with each scholar sharing advice and wisdom with the current students.

ON THE JOB EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS

Tahlia Paino achieved an ATAR of 91.4, placing her among the top 10% of the State, and is currently studying a dual degree of economics and commerce at The University of Queensland. Alongside her university studies, Tahlia is working part-time with St Margaret’s corporate partner Adrians. Tahlia applied for the Adrians Business Scholarship last year and while only one scholarship was awarded, she interviewed so well she was given an opportunity to work at the chartered accounting firm along with classmate and scholarship recipient Edwina McLachlan. ‘I feel so fortunate to have this opportunity to get my foot in the door and gain a taste of working in the accounting industry, not to mention to have been working full time straight out of school,’ Tahlia said.

Tahlia and Edwina have joined St Margaret’s Old Girl Harriet Warby at Adrians, who was the inaugural recipient of the Adrians Business Scholarship in 2020. Now in her second year of a Bachelor of Advanced Business at The University of Queensland, Harriet has found the opportunity to connect her studies with the world of work an invaluable experience. ‘Working at Adrians, I have been able to practise, apply and hone the knowledge I’ve learnt at uni, gaining hands-on experience in my role as an undergraduate accountant. I have worked on bookkeeping, including preparing quarterly GST reports, superannuation, individual tax returns and, more recently, preparing tax returns for companies, trusts and partnerships. I have now decided to major in accounting and finance as part of my business degree. ‘It has been hugely beneficial to have a mentor to guide and assist me, and it’s been wonderful to work with so many St Margaret’s Old Girls. Being surrounded by familiar faces and those who share a mutual connection is comforting and has made settling in to work much easier,’ Harriet said.