SPRINGFIELD CLASS OF 2022 ACADEMIC RESULTS

Director

As a staff member new to the College in Semester 2 of last year, I was immediately struck by the determination, curiosity and joy with which the Year 12 Class of 2022 approached their learning. It was not rare to hear peals of laughter and excited debate echoing from classrooms as I walked the upper corridors of Curnow House. To their credit, and through the support and dedication of their teachers and parents, these 55 students certainly excelled in their studies.

Over the course of the year, the students worked tirelessly on internal assessment items to progress their knowledge and understanding. When external exams arrived, students approached their exams with optimism and a sense of quiet confidence, conducting themselves with care, dignity and respect. As independent and dedicated students, the Class of 2022 certainly proved to be wonderful academic role models for the younger students of the College.

The diligent work ethic of the Class of 2022 culminated in strong academic results. Pleasingly, 2022 saw an increase in Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) achievement, with 89% of students awarded a QCE. Further, 22% of students received a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification. 26.92% of students received an ATAR above 90 and our median ATAR was 85.3.

We were thrilled to see that, once again, 100% of students seeking tertiary study were offered enrolment at university, with 77% of students attaining first preference offers. 53% of students received early offer university placements. A significant proportion of graduates—28%—elected to accept enrolment at Griffith University. This can perhaps be attributed to the institution’s prioritisation of innovation and social impact, two core values that align with our College’s mission. With new courses in health, technologies and the environment mapped to the emerging economy, Griffith University is attracting students who are driven to contribute to the social good. The University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology also remained popular options for tertiary study for our students in 2022.

Possessing a diversity of God-given strengths and abilities, the Class of 2022 have chosen to pursue wide-ranging tertiary pathways. Health continues to dominate as the preferred career field: 22% of Springfield graduates are studying in areas such as medicine, pharmacy, psychology, exercise physiology, occupational therapy, speech pathology and nursing. The technologies field is also popular, with 12% of graduates pursuing engineering and 11% enrolled in design courses. 12% of students are studying the natural and physical sciences. Business and law were each selected by 9% of our graduates. Remaining fields of interest include education, aviation, data analytics and the arts.

As ever, the College remains committed to maintaining strong relationships with our St Peters Old Scholars. Recently, I connected with Kayla Thygesen, a valued member of our 2022 Year 12 cohort. Kayla graduated with the cohort’s highest ATAR (99.65) and is currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Advanced Science with Honours program at the University of Queensland. Kayla shares that she is finding lectures and workshops fast-paced, interactive and satisfyingly challenging. It was affirming to hear Kayla reflect upon the value of a St Peters Springfield education in preparing her for university. It was at St Peters Springfield, Kayla says, that she developed her identity as an autonomous, agentic and diligent learner. We are proud of Kayla’s achievements and cannot wait to see how she flourishes as she embarks on this exciting new pathway.

As we celebrate the academic achievements of the Class of 2022, so too do we acknowledge the tireless efforts and incredible expertise of our teaching and corporate staff. Their unwavering commitment to their students’ academic and personal growth had an undeniable impact on our graduating cohort’s success. In the true spirit of Plus Ultra, countless masterclasses, group tutorials and individual feedback sessions were offered by teachers to support students in unlocking their personal potential. Indeed, during his speech at this year’s Scholars’ Assembly, 2022 College Dux, Joel Lucas, delivered authentic words of thanks to each of the teachers who made an extraordinary difference in his learning, urging current students to seize the opportunities available to them at St Peters Springfield.

“Ever higher, reaching for the heavens, knowing there is more beyond than what we can see.” The words of our College song so aptly describe the learning journey of our newest St Peters Old Scholars. Their academic achievements are testament to their resilience, adaptability and commitment, competencies that will enable them to flourish in a rapidly changing and complex world. As young people of promise and character, we know they will continue to give their all as they embark upon the next stage of their journey. Congratulations, students, and good luck.