Hard work pays off for Margaret River Senior High School staff and students with 2023 ATAR results success

Margaret River Senior High School is boasting one of the best outcomes in WA for its Year 12 cohort seeking university admission.

The latest 2023 Australian Tertiary Admission Rank released this week provided impressive results for a big student group, putting the local high school in the top tier of secondary schools Statewide, and not just in regional WA.

MRSHS deputy principal Steve Jurilj told the Times the results reflected a year of “resilience and academic triumphs”.

“The dedication and hard work of both students and educators have culminated in outstanding achievements,” he said.

Of the 50 students who attained an ATAR, 12 achieved an ATAR of 95 or higher.

Mr Jurilj said that score placed those students in the top 5 per cent.

Additionally, 23 students attained an ATAR of 90 or higher, while 41 members of the cohort scored 80 or higher.

Mr Jurilj said the results demonstrated the school’s commitment to excellence, and once the regional bonus for country students was factored in, 37 of the 50 students received an ATAR of 90 or higher.

“This reflects the school’s commitment to recognising and nurturing talent within the regional context,” he said.

“While the median ATAR is no longer provided, calculations estimate that this year’s figure would have been an impressive 89.8.

“Such a result would have placed MRSHS well within the top 20 schools in the State, firmly establishing its position among the top few public schools.”

MRSHS student leader Jack Holzer said the extra support from the cohort’s teachers contributed to the stellar outcome.

“Whether it was before-school classes, homework club, proofing questions outside of hours, they made themselves available at all times,” he said.

Mr Holzer also congratulated his peers on their “strong team mentality” and emphasised the students’ collaborative spirit.

While students had worked hard towards their university entrance, many told the Times they now had a gap year planned, with trepidation for some around the logistics of relocating from Margaret River.

Margaret River’s Ashlinn Lee-Pullen scored 96.3 slightly higher than anticipated, and said she would take a gap year before pursuing a double degree at the University of WA focused on human rights and English and literary studies.

Principal Andrew Host added his plaudits to the ATAR outcome, congratulating his staff and students for their combined efforts.

“It is a testament to the hard work of the students, who were supported so well by their teachers over six years, that these results have been achieved in the ATAR pathway,” he said.

“We are similarly pleased with the success of the general and vocational students whose success we hope to announce shortly.”