Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay, is heading straight to the top of the class after its 2024 graduates achieved textbook results—boasting seven individual subject scores above 98.
The graduates are now in the spotlight, proudly showcased as part of Brisbane Catholic Education’s (BCE) Inaugural Student Excellence Awards.
The awards honour graduates who excelled in their Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority subjects across BCE’s 36 secondary and Prep to Year 12 schools.
To add to the College’s success, 20 percent of graduates achieved an ATAR of 90 or above, with two students earning an outstanding ATAR above 98 percent.
Opening doors for regional students
Xavier Catholic College Principal Simon Dash said the College was breaking down barriers and challenges often faced by schools in regional areas”.
“The research tells us that students in regional communities often face barriers, such as distance to universities and a limited family tradition of attending higher education,” he said.
“At Xavier, we’re working hard to change that narrative and show our students that university is a pathway they can pursue.
“I’m absolutely thrilled with these results, particularly because they reflect the diverse paths our students are taking.
“Our DUX, with an impressive ATAR of 98.45, is set to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering and a Masters of Engineering at the University of Queensland—an incredible achievement.
“We also have graduates heading into a range of fields, from Occupational Therapy and Education to Nursing, Psychology, Law, and a variety of trades.
“Our graduates are stepping into their futures with confidence, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
Inspiring progress
Simon said Xavier Catholic College had “put a tremendous amount of work into remodelling our learning framework, tailoring it to our own context and needs”.
“This has been a key factor in our students’ academic growth and success,” he said. “Our adoption of the Ignatius Pedagogical Framework has been a game-changer. “The framework helps students deepen their spiritual understanding, fostering a well-rounded education that inspires self-motivation and a passion for learning. “In 2023 and 2024, we also partnered with ALeda, an organisation that provides coaching and mentoring to our staff. “The partnership has played a significant role in enhancing our teachers’ professional growth, providing valuable feedback and support to improve their teaching practices. “These efforts have truly paid off, and the results reflect the hard work, dedication, and support of our students, their families, and our staff.” Endless possibilities Simon adds, “I would like to tell my students the world is their oyster”. “Your potential is not limited by your geographical location,” he said. “There’s a whole world out there waiting for you.” For more information about Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay or to enrol click here.