Fleur De Lis Issue 1 2022
Class of 2021 Results Our annual Laureate Assembly, usually held early in Term 1, celebrates the academic achievements of the graduating class. This year the celebration has been been postponed due to COVID restrictions relating to gatherings, so ahead of being with our Laureates here’s an insight to the achievements of the Class of 2021.
“Of note, is that one in every five Mercedes College students graduated in the top 5 per cent of Year 12s in Australia.”
2021 Laureates Across the Class of 2021, 59 students (38 per cent of the cohort) are acknowledged as ‘laureates’ having obtained Merits in one or more of their Year 12 subjects, or placing in the top 10 per cent of students nationally by gaining an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank) of 90 or more. The distribution of ATARs shows that more than a third (36.2 per cent) of the 2021 cohort gained an ATAR of 90 or higher with an impressive19.7 per cent achieving an ATAR of 95 or higher. A near 60 per cent of students achieved an ATAR in the 80s. Of note, is that one in every five Mercedes College students graduated in the top 5 per cent of Year 12s in Australia. The ATAR is used by universities for entry into their courses. All students seeking a university pathway were given offers in the first round with 73 per cent receiving their first preference. The most common pathways for students were toward Medicine and allied Health professions with Law, Commerce and Engineering continuing to be popular. As we have seen in previous years, interest in the Behavioural Sciences and Arts continues to gain momentum. A total of 41 Merits were obtained across a wide variety of subjects in SACE and the IB Diploma Programme: • SACE Research Project B
• IB French B SL
• SACE English
• IB Indonesian B SL
• SACE Essential English
• IB Spanish ab initio SL
• SACE Visual Arts – Design
• IB Biology HL
• SACE Business Innovation
• IB Chemistry SL, HL
• SACE General Mathematics
• IB Mathematics AA SL
• SACE Outdoor Education
• IB Mathematics AI SL
• IB English B SL and HL In celebrating final ATARs, university offers and Merits with our laureates, we all know that achievement goes well beyond these measures. There have been many success stories involving students across a broad range of results and pathways who have achieved their own level of greatness while overcoming personal challenges, illnesses and other challenging circumstances. Most acknowledge that their achievements are a result of more than their own significant personal efforts, rather reflective of the extensive network of support around them. That is why at Mercedes College we thank parents and guardians who, as the first teachers, provide the foundation for learning and continue to offer support, security and guidance. Thank you to siblings and peers who have supported our graduates through the inevitable tough times and self-doubts, and to celebrate and encourage successes. To our teachers, from Reception to Year 12, together with the support staff, coaches, tutors, volunteers and many other people in the lives of our graduates who have and continue to contribute to shaping a learning community where learners are able to flourish, thank you. Adrian Chiarolli Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning
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