Celebrating Academic Excellence at Stanley Park High School
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) Achievement Awards stand as a beacon of recognition for the exceptional academic accomplishments of students at Stanley Park High School. This prestigious program, administered by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), is designed to honor those who have demonstrated remarkable breadth and depth across a diverse range of learning options.
Understanding the QCE Achievement Awards
The QCE Achievement Awards exemplify the high standards, credibility, and flexibility of Queensland’s senior schooling qualification, the QCE. By celebrating the learning achievements of students who excel in a variety of areas, these awards acknowledge the diverse paths that today’s senior students can take.
As the school’s website highlights, the QCE Achievement Awards recognize that senior schooling is not a one-size-fits-all model. Students at Stanley Park High School engage in a wide range of learning options, undertake different quantities of learning, and complete their studies at varying rates. The awards accommodate these differences, ensuring that exceptional performance is celebrated regardless of the individual’s chosen study pattern.
Award Categories and Criteria
The QCE Achievement Awards program features eight distinct categories, each designed to recognize different facets of academic excellence. These categories have been reviewed and revised for implementation in 2024, ensuring that they continue to evolve and reflect the changing needs of students.
Distinguished Academic Achievers
This premier award honors the students who, in being awarded a QCE, demonstrate exceptionally high achievement across a diverse range of learning options. To be considered for this category, an initial pool of students is selected based on the following criteria:
- Achieving an OP1 or equivalent ATAR
- Earning a Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Test result of A
- Attaining Very High Achievement (VHA) in a minimum of 20 semesters of General and/or Applied subjects
Points are then allocated for the breadth and depth of a student’s learning program, with additional recognition given for the completion of a Queensland Certificate of Individual Achievement (QCIA) or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The number of awards conferred in this category typically ranges from 30 to 35 each year, with the highest-achieving student receiving a trophy, $4000 in prize money, and an invitation to the prestigious QCE Achievement Awards ceremony.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Academic Achievers
This award recognizes the highest-achieving Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student awarded a QCE. Students who identify as such are shortlisted for consideration using the same criteria as the Distinguished Academic Achievers category. The winner of this award receives a trophy, $1000 in prize money, and an invitation to the QCE Achievement Awards ceremony.
Humanities and Liberal Arts High Achievers
Introduced in 2024, this award is for the student(s) who, in being awarded a QCE, achieve the best overall grade point average and A grades in all of the following subjects:
- At least 4 General subjects from the humanities and liberal arts disciplines (such as English, History, Philosophy, Languages, and the Arts)
- At least 2 semesters of a General (Extension) subject
The winner(s) of this award receive a trophy, $1000 in prize money, and an invitation to the QCE Achievement Awards ceremony.
STEM High Achievers
Also new for 2024, this award is for the student who, in being awarded a QCE, achieves the highest grade point average and A grades in all of the following subjects:
- At least 4 General subjects from the STEM disciplines (such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Digital Solutions)
- At least 2 semesters of a General (Extension) subject
The recipient of this award receives a trophy, $1000 in prize money, and an invitation to the QCE Achievement Awards ceremony.
Overall High Achievers
Introduced in 2024, this award recognizes the student who, in being awarded a QCE, achieves the best grade point average and A grades in all of the following:
- At least 4 General subjects
- At least 2 semesters of a General (Extension) subject
- At least 1 Applied subject or 1 VET qualification
The winner of this award receives a trophy, $1000 in prize money, and an invitation to the QCE Achievement Awards ceremony.
Certificate of Academic Commendation
This award is for students who achieve an A exit result in at least six General and/or General (Extension) subjects. Recipients are identified by the QCAA following the finalization of student results for certification in December, and certificates are available for download from the Student Portal.
Subject Achievement Commendation
This award recognizes students who achieve the highest result in at least one General subject or General (Extension) subject. As with the Certificate of Academic Commendation, recipients are identified by the QCAA and can download their certificates from the Student Portal.
The Selection Process
It is important to note that for the major award categories, it is not possible for schools or students to predict the outcomes. The key is that whatever study pattern a student chooses, they must achieve to an exceptionally high level – not just within their school, but on a statewide basis and against a range of measures.
The selection process for the major award categories involves a panel of senior QCAA officers who implement the criteria determined by the QCAA Board. In addition to the specific criteria for each category, the selection panel also considers how each candidate’s program of learning and final achievements reflect the underlying principles of the QCE: relevance, rigor, and reputation.
Celebrating Excellence at Stanley Park High School
The QCE Achievement Awards ceremony for the 2024 cohort will be held on Saturday, 15 February 2025. This event is a prestigious occasion, limited to the winners of the major award categories. Students who receive a Certificate of Academic Commendation or Subject Achievement Commendation will receive their certificates via the Student Portal.
As an experienced educational writer, I am honored to have the opportunity to highlight the QCE Achievement Awards and the exceptional accomplishments of students at Stanley Park High School. These awards not only celebrate individual excellence but also reflect the commitment of our school community to fostering a culture of academic achievement and lifelong learning.
By recognizing the diverse learning paths and exceptional performances of our students, the QCE Achievement Awards exemplify the high standards and flexibility of Queensland’s senior schooling system. I encourage all Stanley Park High School students to strive for excellence and to take pride in their achievements, knowing that their hard work and dedication will be celebrated at the highest level.
For more information about the QCE Achievement Awards and other educational opportunities at Stanley Park High School, I invite you to visit our school’s website. Together, let us continue to inspire our students to reach new heights and make a lasting impact on their communities and the world beyond.
