A YEAR of intense study and sacrifice has paid dividends for Millicent High School’s Class of 2018, with students receiving their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) this week.
Students logged on to check their results on Tuesday morning, with all 24 Millicent students successfully completing their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).
Mason O’Rielly achieved an ATAR of 87.7 cementing his place as the school’s highest scorer this year.
The 18 year old received an A for his research project, A- for general maths and B+ grades for biology, psychology and English literacies.
Despite most students claiming attaining an ATAR is a stress-filled period, Mason said he found the study year quite easy.
“Everyone I spoke to about Year 12 said how stressful it was and how they had to wind back their other commitments, but I ended up getting more shifts at work,” he said.
“I found it went really quick and was not really stressed at all.
“It was probably easier for me because as soon as I would get an assignment, I would start on it straight away.
“I came to school and just worked everyday from 8.30am to 3.20pm.”
Mason said the high score would likely allow him to enter into any of his preferred university courses, which range from journalism, commerce, biotechnology and psychology.
The talented student said he would take a gap year with a view to start tertiary study in 2020.
“I am not sure what I want to study, but I do know I want to do whatever makes me happy and at the moment I am happy working at Foodland,” he said.
“This year I did biology and psychology which I really enjoyed and I also found finance really interesting.
“I have a passion to help people most of the time, so I’ll probably choose something around that.”
Mason’s successful result follows an outstanding academic year, which saw him win the school’s major mathematics and science awards.
At the school’s recent presentation night, Mason won the Australian Defence Force Long Tan Award for demonstrating leadership and teamwork.
He also won the Mayoral Award for providing leadership and service to the school community and the Bank SA Award for academic achievement throughout the school year.
UniSA Mount Gambier regional manager Ian McKay presented Mason with the University of South Australia Award for the highest ATAR at Millicent High School on Tuesday.
W.S. DeGaris award winner Kelsie Wilkinson achieved the school’s second highest ATAR with 86.7, receiving A grades for research project and woodwork, an A- for general English and B+ grades for essential maths and physical education.
Kelsie will undertake a Bachelor of Education (Secondary Design and Technology) with a view to specialise in woodwork.
“I’m feeling really happy with my results I got guaranteed entry into my selected course so I’m really excited about that,” she said.
“I honestly was not to fussed about the ATAR or grades as long as I received an ATAR of 80 or higher so getting what i received was a bit surprising.
“I also was surprised about the grades I received on my exams and for my external assignments.”
The Class of 2018 saw 10 students receive an ATAR, with an average score of 70 and 13 A grades in total.
Woodwork saw an impressive 75pc of the class receive A grades.
Year 11 student India Strother received two of the school’s A grades for Year 12 psychology and legal studies.
The school captain and year level dux will start her final year of schooling on steady footing with almost half of her Year 12 subjects complete.
