Esperance Senior High School Year 12 students Bree Boydell, Isobel Shelton, Eloise Willsher and Hayley Gallop (not pictured) all attained ATAR scores in the 90s. Photo: supplied.
Four Esperance Senior High School Year 12 students excelled in 2024, achieving ATAR results in the 90s.
Isobel Shelton topped the cohort with 96.80 and was joined by her peers Bree Boydell, Hayley Gallop and Eloise Willsher, who all gained scores in the 90s.
Deputy Principal Ken Duffy said the school was very proud of these four students.
“They have worked hard to achieve these excellent results,” he said.
“Their achievements are a credit to their teachers and families who have supported them in their endeavours.”
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority awarded Isobel a Certificate of Distinction for her efforts over Years 11 and 12.
Certificates of Merit were awarded to Tiffany Blakely, Bree Boydell, Amy Clarke, Hayley Gallop and Annabelle Woodhouse.
These SCSA Certificates recognise student achievement in the Western Australian Certificate of Education and are dependent on the degree of difficulty of the courses undertaken and the student’s level of achievement.
They are based on the grades awarded to students by their schools.
All of the students said they had to face challenges during their ATAR studies, so they were pleased to see their efforts rewarded with high scores.
“I honestly didn’t expect to do so well,” Eloise said.
The students said they were excited and relieved to receive their results before Christmas and were now in the process of fielding offers from universities.
Isobel and Eloise both said they planned to study teaching and Bree said she wanted to pursue her interest in biomedicine, in particular neuroscience and biomedical engineering.
Isobel is to study Primary Education at the University of Notre Dame.
“Primary students are at an age when they are curious about the world, they want to be at school and to be able to inspire them is pretty special,” she said.
Eloise will work and travel this year before she embarks on a Secondary Education degree in English teaching at Murdoch University.
“I love teaching, I love teachers, I love school,” she said.
“I want to make school a fun place for people because so many kids don’t enjoy school.
“It is such an amazing part of your life. If you are not enjoying school, you are missing out.”
The girls said they appreciated the role their teachers played in their ATAR success.
“The teachers want us to succeed so they are really supportive,” Isobel said.
The students had some advice for future ATAR students.
All agreed there was no need to get too stressed.
“Choose subjects you like, and look after yourself,” Isobel said.
“Doing ATAR definitely prepares you really well for uni.
“You build great relationships with your teachers, and you know they are there for you.”
Eloise said students should not be intimidated.
“You have so much support and it’s so rewarding,” she said.
“Make it fun. Study doesn’t have to be boring.”
Bree recommended getting a private study pass.
“My best advice is that you learn better when you are in an environment that is quiet,” she said.
The students said they were ready for life beyond school.
“It’s sad to leave it all behind, but it’s very exciting,” Isobel said.
