Students across the Australian Capital Territory have received their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) results, marking a significant milestone for the class of 2026. The Canberra Times has spoken with several of the capital's highest achievers to discuss their reflections on a demanding year, the strategies that led to their success, and their aspirations for the years ahead.
Academic Excellence Across Canberra Colleges
The cohort of top performers represents a diverse range of schools and interests, from STEM fields to the arts and law. Selwyn Giddy, dux of Brindabella Christian College, achieved an impressive ATAR of 99.85. He studied specialist mathematics, literature, history, and music, and now plans to pursue a combined arts and law degree at the Australian Catholic University in Sydney.
At Daramalan College, Lachlan Hynd balanced a heavy academic load with significant extracurricular involvement. As well as studying literature, specialist mathematics, physics, and Japanese, he was a college band member, house captain, and bugler for the Anzac ceremony. He has an early offer to study engineering at the Australian National University (ANU).
Michael Thow, dux of Dickson College with an ATAR of 99.2, managed his studies while working at a pharmacy, practising kung fu, and volunteering in his church's youth ministry. Diagnosed with ADHD and autism, Michael shared that working with his neurodiversity was key. "I need to give myself a bit more slack when I'm not able to fully concentrate on something," he explained. He intends to study medicine and has an early offer for health science at ANU.
Diverse Pathways: From IT Apprenticeships to Quantum Physics
The students' paths highlight that success is not confined to traditional academic routes. Anastasia Perkovic from Lake Tuggeranong College combined her subjects with an IT apprenticeship, completing a Certificate II in Applied Digital Technologies. Initially considering medicine, a web development class and her apprenticeship solidified her passion for technology. She has an offer to study information technology at the University of Canberra.
Ishita Gupta, dux of Merici College, valued the discussion-based learning in her ANU global perspectives course. A co-founder of her school's student-run magazine, her advice is straightforward: avoid procrastination. "I used to at the start, working last minute and then hope for the best in the exam but then the stress of it was bad," she said. She is interested in software engineering.
At the UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra, Anton Steinhauser achieved a near-perfect ATAR of 99.95. He was captivated by the unknowns in quantum physics studied during his course. "Quantum physics is still a pretty new field, so there's still a lot to learn," he noted. He has an early offer to study advanced science at ANU.
Other notable achievers include Brynten Au from Radford College (ATAR 99.85), aiming for medicine or engineering; Evan Richards from St Edmund's College (ATAR 96.8), who is moving to Western Australia; and Alex Kwiatkowski from St Mary MacKillop College (ATAR 99.90), who served as a communications leader.
Expert Advice: The ATAR is a Stepping Stone
As students process their results, education leaders emphasise perspective. Professor Darius von Guttner, Dean of the ACU Canberra campus, acknowledged the mix of excitement and anxiety. "Whatever the number is, the ATAR is only really important as a stepping stone to something next," he said. His advice for the summer is to relax, refresh, and keep an open mind for the next educational journey.
This focus on holistic success was echoed by Tracey Taylor, Executive Director of the ACT Association of Independent Schools. She highlighted that student wellbeing has been a central priority for schools in 2025, integrated into all aspects of school culture. "We know that wellbeing continues to be a big driver of whether a student is successful or not," Ms Taylor stated.
As these high-achieving Canberra students prepare for their next steps, their stories underscore a combination of hard work, tailored strategies, and a balanced approach to life beyond the classroom.
