Top Year 12 Students Honoured

Today, at the Board of Senior Secondary Studies' annual award ceremony, it was my pleasure to present the awards to the ACT's high-achieving Year 12 students.

At today's ceremony we celebrated students who have outstanding records in the areas of community service, vocational studies, and performing and visual arts. Students who received the highest aggregate score in their college are celebrated in the Academic Awards.

It was also rewarding for me to present awards to students of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background. This year, the number of awards in this category were expanded, allowing every college to nominate a student who has demonstrated excellent achievement or made a significant contribution to the community. This year, 10 such awards were presented to students from every one of our ACT Colleges.

The Board of Senior Secondary Studies awards are in recognition of the students' commitment to their goals and their purposeful striving for excellence. Of course, we also recognise the support of family, friends and our dedicated ACT teachers who have contributed to their success. Together the students and their supporters have achieved excellence in many areas of education and community service.

The great range of activities was especially impressive. Students have been involved in volunteering, both at home and abroad, in social and charitable organisations. They have revealed their creative prowess in film, theatre, music, dance, and many other endeavors.

Throughout the ACT, students have shown themselves to be compassionate, engaged, highly motivated and creative. I congratulate our award winners and all our ACT Year 12 graduates on their achievements.