Northam Senior High School has recorded some of its best year 12 ATAR rankings in recent times, said school principal Terry Martino.
Mr Matino said the school is very proud of the results of the 2017 year 12 cohort.
He said they have continued the pattern of success the school have seen in the last few years.
“We measure ourselves in three areas,” Mr Martino said.
“Attainment, which is a Certificate 2 and or an ATAR rank, WACE and the median ATAR score.
“The school’s numbers for attainment and WACE were well above state average and the median ATAR was nine above what was expected for the school.”
Northam Senior High School had six students who achieved an ATAR ranking above 90, two of those who got above 95.
The school was awarded one certificate of excellence, three certificates of distinction and six certificates of merit.
Georgia Quin was one of students from the 2017 cohort who had stand out results.
Miss Quin obtained an ATAR ranking of 94.5 and was accepted into the University of Western Australia to study a Bachelor of Science with a double degree in anatomy and human biology and science communication.
She has also had assured entrance into UWA’s direct pathway into a masters of secondary education with the aims of becoming a biology teacher.
Miss Quin obtained an ATAR ranking of 94.5 and was accepted into the University of Western Australia to study anatomy and human biology and science communication.
“I had a really inspiring human biology teacher,” she said.
“I want to be as good a teacher as she is.
“The teachers were always there for us for support.”
Principal, Terry Martino said there is a misconception about the variety of subjects country schools offer their students.
“We have a wide range of certificate and ATAR courses for our studetns and a lkot of people dont think we have a large course offering,” he said.
“There is a bit of a perception that if they go to another school in Perth they are going to get a wider range of options, where as here we have 12 ATAR courses and about 20 certificate courses.
“Our students have gone onto employment, traineeships, apprenticeships and university.”
This years head girl Leilani Dunkerton said she feels as though she has had the same opportunities as her city counterparts.
“This year I’m studying five ATAR courses and a certificate three in business, with the aim of studying to become a biology teacher,” she said.
“I agree that there is a misconception about the school, that there’s not a lot to offer.
“That’s completely wrong.
“I’ve got so many friends who ended up going to boarding schools who have ended up doing the same courses as me anyway.”
Head boy Brodee Starcevich is studying four ATAR courses and a certificate two in sports coaching.
After completing year 12 Brodee wants to study a sports science course that focuses on AFL at Edith Cowan University.
Mr Martino said he commends the efforts of the year 12 students and said the results reflected the hard work they put in to their studies.
“The results are the outcome of a few thing,” he said.
“One, the teachers are really focused on giving quality support to our year 12 students.
“The kids get great support from their families and it would be fair to say the students feel really connected to the school.
“I believe this years cohort will achieve the same for this reason.”
“I want them to feel like they’ve got the support that they need.
“And I want them to challenge themselves and overcome some doubts they might have about themselves.”