Springfield class of 2021 academic results

NATALIE HOUSTON | Principal, Springfield

At the end of 2021, 56 students graduated from St Peters Springfield. While our Year 12 students faced a challenging twoyear journey through COVID-19 lockdowns and severe hailstorms, they managed the demands placed on them tremendously well and have carved out successful post-school pathways. Our 2021 Year 12 students had a diverse range of gifts and talents and this is clearly evident from the range of pathways that they have chosen.

While schools no longer have access to school-specific reports of Year 12 academic outcomes, 66% of our 2021 cohort chose to share their academic results with us. The information reveals that our students are well on their way to achieving their goals and dreams. We are proud of the achievements of our students and that as a result, they have been able to pursue their desired pathways at university, TAFE or in the workforce.

85% of students received a Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE). 100% of students who applied through Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre to continue their formal learning received place offers – an excellent achievement. 28% of students received their first preference for university.

It is interesting to note that the foremost university destination for our 2021 graduates was Griffith University, with 30% of students selecting the institution. This is a change from previous years and is linked to the increasing health pathways on offer at Griffith University that lead to Medicine. Over 20% of students selected QUT, with UQ and USQ being other tertiary destinations of choice.

In a time when our society is facing pandemics in health and mental health and wellbeing, it is heartening that health and psychology were the most popular tertiary pathways that our 2021 graduates are moving into. Students have chosen degrees that will lead to careers in medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational health and psychology.

Empathy and service to others are qualities cultivated at St Peters Springfield through our Pastoral Care Program and academic curriculum. Our students have also explored the theories and practices surrounding wellbeing with a focus on the elements of Dr Martin’s Seligman’s positive psychology framework. Therefore, it is pleasing to see that the learning at St Peters is very much connected to the pathways that many of our students have chosen post-secondary. We know that the health and happiness of our nation are in very good hands.

Sport and Exercise Sciences, Law, Science, Aviation, Economics, Urban Planning, the Arts, Education were other university pathways for our most recent Old Scholars. St Peters Springfield is also proud to have provided additional English and Maths short courses that opened up more expansive post-school options to our students.

It was a privilege to acknowledge the excellent academic achievements of our 2021 Year 12 cohort at the Academic Honours Assembly at the end of Term 1. We congratulated the 2021 Dux, Yash Gor (pictured), who received an ATAR of 95.80. Yash, who has now begun a Bachelor of Law (Honours)/Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film) at QUT, spoke at the special Assembly of the positive impact of his family and his St Peters Springfield teachers on his studies and thanked them for their encouragement, guidance and support.

We also congratulated our 2021 Proxime Accessit, Emma Collins, who received an ATAR of 95.45. To reward and acknowledge high achievement, Emma was the recipient of the Sir Samuel Griffith Scholarship from Griffith University which contributes a maximum value of $24,000 to fund her studies. Emma is now completing a Bachelor of Paramedicine at Griffith University.

Our students’ achievements are testament to not only to their high level of dedication but to the wonderful, supportive families in our community and to the excellent quality of teaching and learning that happens every day at St Peters Springfield. We thank our parents and caregivers for working in partnership with St Peters to bring out the best in their children. We thank our teachers for their expertise, dedication and advocacy for our young people.

At St Peters Springfield, our students are reminded through our motto: Plus Ultra – Ever Higher, More Beyond, that they are on a quest for their personal best in all areas of their lives. In doing so, we grow students of great character who will use their unique God-given strengths and abilities to serve and enrich our world.

We congratulate our 2021 students, our newest St Peters Old Scholars. What these students have learnt in their Senior Years of schooling is not only reflected in their strong academic outcomes, but in their adaptability, resilience and preparedness for the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world that we live in. May God bless them as they write the next chapter in their lives and make positive impacts in our world. Each of our graduates is ‘A Saint for Life’ and we know that their achievements will provide ongoing inspiration, direction and determination to our current students as they complete their studies.

Head of Secondary School, Mrs Sue Grotherr, with 2021 graduates.

2021 ACADEMIC RESULTS (SFD)

54

students in the cohort.

42%

of St Peters 2021 graduates received an ATAR of 80.00 and above.

53%

of St Peters 2021 graduates received an ATAR of 70.00 and above.

87%

of St Peters 2021 graduates received an ATAR of 60.00 and above.

30%

students received early offers through QTAC

100%

of students who applied for a course through QTAC received an offer.