Congratulations to the Class of 2015, who achieved well beyond their expectations this year. Their results were released on Wednesday 16 December.

The following observations can be made about MacKillop's results:

• 65% of our Year 12 class chose to pursue a tertiary package.
• It is important to remember that St Mary MacKillop College is open to all; students with a wide range of abilities have been seeking to access university via the Year 11 and 12 program here.
• With a territory median of 77.65 and with a University of Canberra cut-off of 65 – some 12 points lower than the territory median – many MacKillop students will be going to university based on their achievement this year. Our data suggests that around 90% of our tertiary students will be studying at university next year.
• MacKillop's ATAR median of 75.05 was the second-highest from an ACT Catholic school (congratulations, Marist) and the second-highest in the Tuggeranong Valley (Congratulations, Trinity).
• 78% of the Graduating Class achieved an ATAR of 65 or more - only six schools across the ACT managed a higher percentage.
• 92.5% of our tertiary package students achieved an ATAR higher than their five-mark estimated range. This points to their dedication to their studies, the quality of their relationships with their teachers, a skilled and enthusiastic staff, and expert support and feedback on in-school assessment. It also points to the supportive environment created by the students’ parents and caregivers in the home.
• Congratulations to Amy-Leah Tepes, who was Dux of the College with an extraordinary ATAR. While Amy-Leah’s score is her business, it is a joy shared by us all.
• MacKillop awarded the second-highest number of VET Certificates of any school in the ACT (216 - congratulations, Gungahlin). This also is a cause for real celebration as it points to the integrity of our claim that we are indeed a Catholic school for all. It is very exciting to know and a source of great pride for our school that so many of our students moved to the front of the line for further study at CIT, apprenticeships, and workplace employment because of the value of the VET Certificates that they achieved here.

The College congratulates the entire class for their better-than-expected success, for the fact that so many of our tertiary students will be studying at university next year, for the wide range of VET Certificates that were awarded, and for their remarkable contribution to the progress of the College.

Whilst there is little that is dignified about boasting or “showing off” and it is true that our College needs to continue to work hard at finding other ways to encourage enhanced achievement for our students (and we do this), we hope that the MacKillop community takes deserved pride in the success of our large, comprehensive and welcoming school.