Grace is truly top of class
A GOLD Coast student scored the highest result in the state in the Queensland Core Skills test and says rivalry helped her do it.
Somerset College graduate Grace Kennett was recognised for the highest test result, which covers literacy and numeracy.
A specific score is not release but she was informed of her Queensland-winning performance when she and the state’s smartest Year 12 graduates were recognised for their academic achievement at an award ceremony in Brisbane on Saturday.
Miss Kennett and fellow Somerset graduate Marc Eksteen were among the few dozen selected for the prestigious Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) Achievement Awards.
Both OP1 students, the pair are set to start at university soon and have attributed a balance between study and play for their success – along with many sleepless nights.
Self-described “very middle child” Miss Kennett said rivalry with her two older and two younger siblings may have been behind her drive to succeed in her final year of school.
“I am most competitive with myself,” she said.
“But I have always had people around me to compete with which has helped.”
The aspiring doctor said she called her father as soon as she discovered she would be receiving the award.
“My parents sacrificed a lot for my education so I wanted to tell them first,” Grace said.
“Dad commutes from his work in Griffith in NSW every week so we could go to school here.
“I really appreciate they have done for me.”
Miss Kennett is set to start her medical degree at Monash University in Melbourne later this year.
The awards came as a surprise for aspiring economist Mr Eksteen.
He said he had only discovered his love of numbers and mathematical problems during his senior years.
“I think it really helps to love what you do, I can’t really explain why I love mathematics – I am more confused why other people don’t,” he laughed.
The 18-year-old will undertake a degree in mathematics and economics at the University of Queensland.
Somerset College is one of only a handful of schools to have multiple students recognised over a consecutive number of years.
The QCE awards celebrate students who have achieved an exceptionally high level. all