Students from Townsville Grammar School have capped off their final year of schooling with a stunning set of academic results, setting a new benchmark for the institution. The 2023 graduating class has delivered what school officials are describing as a "brutal but brilliant" performance, with a significant portion of students securing places among the nation's top academic achievers.
Record-Breaking ATAR Scores and Achievements
The data reveals an outstanding outcome for the cohort. An impressive 45% of the school's ATAR-eligible students achieved an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 90 or above. This score places them within the top 10% of students across the entire country. Furthermore, the school's median ATAR settled at a formidable 86.75, indicating consistently high performance across the year level.
Among the standout individual successes was Angus McKenna, who earned a perfect ATAR score of 99.95. This exceptional result was mirrored by Lachlan Sweeney, who also achieved the highest possible rank. Their achievements were part of a broader wave of excellence, with 11 students attaining an ATAR of 99 or higher, and 26 students reaching a score of 98 or above.
A Landmark Final Cohort Under the Old System
This year's results hold particular historical significance. The 2023 graduating class at Townsville Grammar School represents the final group to be assessed under Queensland's longstanding Overall Position (OP) system. From next year, all Queensland schools will fully transition to the ATAR system for university admissions.
Under this outgoing OP framework, the school's performance was equally remarkable. More than 41% of OP-eligible students received an OP between 1 and 5, which is the highest bracket possible. The school's median OP was an excellent 6, further solidifying the year's academic strength.
Leadership and Community Celebrate Success
School Principal Timothy Kelly expressed immense pride in the efforts and accomplishments of the graduating class. He emphasised that these outstanding results were the product of sustained hard work, dedication, and a supportive learning environment fostered by both teachers and families throughout the students' educational journeys.
The success story extends beyond the top achievers. A large number of students have already received early offers to prestigious university programs across a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, law, and the sciences. This demonstrates the depth of talent within the cohort and the effective preparation provided by the school for future tertiary study and careers.
This year's academic triumphs at Townsville Grammar School not only celebrate the end of an era with the OP system but also confidently launch a new generation of scholars into their future endeavours, setting a high standard for the years to come under the ATAR model.
