Year 12 Class of 2023 BSSS results

From the Principal

On behalf of the Canberra Girls Grammar School community, I am pleased to congratulate the BSSS students of the Year 12 Class of 2023 who received their ATARs today. We look forward to our IB Diploma students receiving their results in early January 2024 and will provide an update on results for the complete class at that time.

Firstly, I would like to commend the entire Class of 2023 for their leadership of the School over the course of the year. They have demonstrated compassion and kindness, a strong sense of service and embraced the values of the School, including championing the newest of the School’s values—Respect. They have led their peers in service initiatives and group challenges designed to build community, camaraderie and inclusion. And today, they took time out of the well-deserved celebration of their personal achievements to gift the School a beautiful new tree and Year 12 artwork that represent a strong legacy of growth, gratitude and renewal.

In 2023, 93% of students undertook the ACT Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS), and 7% studied the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP). All BSSS students received their Senior Secondary Certificate and those studying a tertiary package received a Tertiary Entrances Statement (ATAR).

We commend all of our Year 12 students for their perseverance and focus as they have balanced their studies with a diverse array of personal accomplishments in their areas of interest and passion.

I am certain that the graduates of the Class of 2023 will continue to light a path for others as they make their mark on the world beyond the CGGS gates. Whether in the classroom, as a part of our academic engagement programs, through their involvement in a diverse co-curricular program or their support of Beryl Women and other charitable causes, they have firmly demonstrated that they are capable and ready for the next phase of their lives.

We are very pleased to recognise the outstanding personal bests of our BSSS students in 2023 which include the following achievements:

• 9.8% of students achieved an ATAR of 99 or higher. This is the highest percentage of CGGS BSSS students achieving in the top 1% of their age cohort in NSW and the ACT in more than 13 years.
• 14.6% of students achieved an ATAR of 98 or higher, placing them in the top 2% of their age cohort in the NSW and ACT. This is the best result for CGGS in 10 years.
• 18.3% of students achieved an ATAR of 95 or higher, placing them in the top 5% of their age cohort in the NSW and ACT.
• 34.2% of students achieved an ATAR of 90 or higher, placing them in the top 10% of their age cohort in the NSW and ACT.
• 55% of students achieved an ATAR of 80 or higher placing them in the top 20% of their age cohort in the NSW and ACT.
• The median ATAR for the 2023 BSSS cohort at CGGS is 82.88.

In addition, 89% of the Year 12 students who applied for university early offers received a direct offer to university before the ATARs were even released, demonstrating a clear trend of universities recognising student achievements beyond the ATAR and the tertiary sector, and acknowledging the value of a more holistic approach to education. This approach has been long-championed by the staff and parents of CGGS.

We are particularly delighted to congratulate Sophia Boyce who is the 2023 Dux of the BSSS cohort with an exceptional ATAR of 99.90. Sophia was recognised at yesterday’s BSSS Recognition of Excellence Ceremony.

Isabella Becvarik was also recognised at the Recognition of Excellence Ceremony with an Individual Course Area Award for Dance and Sowmya Ramanathan was awarded a BSSS Excellence Award for Community Service. Rachel Ayiega and Arya Shahmeen (Y11) were also recognised for their contributions to the BSSS Student Board Forum.

We resoundingly congratulate and applaud the fine young people of the Class of 2023 on all they have achieved and wish them the best for their future endeavours.

Kind regards,

Terrie Jones
Principal