The college wishes to congratulate Tahlia Spena for being awarded the 2021 St Stephen’s College Dux, the highest overall academic accolade for the college. In 2021 this award was changed to recognise the student with the highest overall ATAR score, ensuring consistency and integrity in awarding of this achievement. Due to the release date of this data, the St Stephen’s Dux will be awarded the following year at the Opening Mass. Covid has meant that this year’s mass was cancelled, however it is still important we recognise the efforts of Tahlia in her studies.
Tahlia achieved outstanding results in 2021. Across her top 5 subjects, Tahlia received 100 out of 100 for Legal Studies and 99 out of 100 for Biology, Chemistry and English. Across her subjects she lost a total of 6 marks, giving her an outstanding 494 out of 500 (where each subject is worth 100 marks). This is an outstanding effort, considering that there has been an introduction of external exams into the QCE system, some contributing 50% to a student’s overall mark. At the 2021 St Stephen’s Celebration of Excellence, Tahlia was awarded the top academic student in Biology, Chemistry, English, Legal Studies and Mathematical Methods, a fantastic achievement. She was also the winner of the Principal’s Medal for Academic Achievement, which congratulates the highest Year 12 academic student based on internal assessment results.
Tahlia is the youngest of three girls to move through the college, with all of them achieving extremely well. Since arriving at the college in year 7, she has excelled academically. This achievement, according to Ms Manders, College Principal “is the culmination of sacrifice and effort throughout her years of education at St Stephen’s.” Tahlia has accepted a course at the University of Southern Queensland to undertake secondary school teaching in Maths and Legal Studies. Mr and Mrs Spena are “extremely proud of what Tahlia has achieved but also very grateful to the support she received from her teachers across year 11 and 12.”
The college also wishes to recognise the continued support of Mr David Anthony, who was involved in the steering committee for the college before its inception, as well as serving for a number of year as the inaugural chair of the College Board. He is very proud of what the college has become and the student achievements such as Tahlia’s that make the early days of hard work worthwhile.
Finally, we asked Tahlia, what was the key to her success, she believes “students should make the most of their teachers and the support they provide but also to be consistent in work and study habits. It is important to apply the knowledge received in class and look to find resources beyond the classroom.” Great advice from our top ranked student in 2021.
Every staff member at St Stephen’s is extremely proud of Tahlia’s achievement and we wish her the very best for her future.
