Communication key to top results

Great Southern Grammar has cracked the State’s top 50 median ATAR score for 2016 with a fresh focus and open lines of communication attributed to the success.

The school finished with a median ATAR score of 82.25, placing them 41st in WA, and GSG deputy principal Richard Baird said it was a pleasing result.

“We’re very happy, it’s something we’ve worked very hard at,” he said

“We put a fair bit of focus on the work ethic this year in the student body; there was a bit of a shift so that responsibility was on the students and the staff and not just the school.

“There was a real effort among the parents, students and the staff that we really wanted to make sure our students were fulfilling their potential.”

Jack Williamson was the top performing student at GSG, managing a score of 99.30, Olivia Riches received 97.40 and Luke Dupuy recorded 97.05.

Mr Baird said there had been a thorough consultation process with students throughout the year.

“I met with every student individually, we had pastoral leaders, the heads of house, the director of studies meeting with students,” he said.

“We had regular weekly meetings to update them on where we were at and how we were going.”

Mr Baird said ensuring students were in the correct courses, quality teaching and a dedicated cohort were also imperative to the school’s impressive results.