Congratulations to Melbourne Girls Grammar students Rachel, Willa, Amelia and Alex on being awarded medallions in the 2022 Global Academic Challenge (GAC).
The quartet’s top results meant MGGS was awarded the most medallions (five) by a single school in the inaugural GAC.
More than 2,000 students from 75 schools around Australia took part in the GAC, a program run by the Australian Council for Educational Research. Linked to international frameworks such as PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) and TIMMS (Trends in international mathematics and science study), the Challenge assesses achievement beyond the expectations of curriculum-linked assessment, allowing students in Years 4, 6 and 8 to demonstrate higher levels of skill. The GAC questions encourage students to actively engage with real-life contexts to solve problems, apply knowledge and employ a range of learning strategies.
Thirteen MGGS students participated in the GAC. Four were awarded a medallion for achieving the best result nationally for their year level and learning area.
Rachel and Amelia, both Year 6 students, achieved the highest scores in the country in Mathematics and Reading and were awarded medallions for their top results.
Year 8 students Willa and Alex shared the equal-highest Reading score, receiving a medallion each for their efforts. Willa also achieved a High Distinction in Science and received a second medallion for attaining the highest Mathematics score for Year 8 students.
Overall, MGGS students achieved two High Distinctions and three Distinctions in Science, two more High Distinctions and one Distinction in Reading and a further three High Distinctions and one Distinction in Mathematics.
Special mention to Year 7 student Ariana, who participated in the Year 8 challenge. Ariana achieved a High Distinction in Reading and Distinction in Mathematics despite being at least 12 months younger than her other participants.
Director of Learning David Simpson said the results speak to MGGS’s commitment to learning and the learner being at the centre of our strategic focus.
“In shaping learning programs for our highest ability, gifted and talented students, we seek to provide opportunities that enhance the breadth and depth of learning experiences. This enables students to explore beyond content and delve into the historical and philosophical foundations of ideas,” he said.
“These results speak to the value of this approach. Our students have achieved far above international benchmarks in Mathematics, Science, and Reading, not just because of the excellent teaching in these core areas but because our students are encouraged to question, think, and take risks with their learning.”
We congratulate all the students who participated in the Global Academic Challenge and commend them for their efforts.
Melbourne Girls Grammar top results:
Medallions
- Willa — Year 8 — Mathematics and Reading
- Rachel — Year 6 — Mathematics
- Amelia — Year 6 — Reading
- Alex — Year 8 — Reading
High Distinction
- Willa — Year 8 — Science
- Alex — Year 8 — Mathematics
- Elle — Year 8 — Mathematics, Science, Reading
- Imogen — Year 8 — Mathematics
- Ariana — Year 7 — Reading
Distinction
- Andrea — Year 6 — Science
- Eliza — Year 6 — Science
- Asun — Year 8 — Science
- Teppi — Year 8 — Reading
- Ariana — Year 7 — Mathematics