Broome students make the grade
![Abbey Ford, of Broome’s St Mary’s College, scored an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 99.55.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/YA-384431/a_010115speabbey1_1acuevl-1acuevt.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Three Broome high school graduates were among WA's top performing students after clinching high honours at the 2014 secondary education awards.
Abbey Ford, of St Mary's College, and Joe Handscombe and Caterina Bongiorno, of Broome Senior High School, were all recognised by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority for their outstanding academic efforts.
Abbey scored an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 99.55 and won a general exhibition for all-round excellence.
She was also awarded certificates of distinction in dance, English and human biological science.
Meanwhile, certificates of commendation were awarded to Joe, who achieved an ATAR score of 96.05, and Caterina, a Vocational Education and Training student.
Abbey said she had to check her ATAR results at least three times before news of her achievement had sunk in.
Despite cramming in countless hours of revision and studies each week since starting Year 12, the teenager said she was still shocked to discover she had scored so highly.
"I was over the moon," she said.
"I had been preparing myself for a score of 95, 98 maximum, but then I got 99.55 and I was so happy."
The outcome has paved the way for her to pursue her dream of studying neuroscience at university.
But in the interim, the 17-year-old's focus has shifted from classroom to culture after she left town this month to begin her 12-month exchange in Japan.
Speaking before her departure, Ms Ford said 2014 had been a rollercoaster ride and was looking forward to an exciting year ahead.
"After doing so well in WACE, I am ready for the next part of my life to start," she said.
"Also after having this long break from studying, I think I am craving a bit of mental stimulation and trying to learn Japanese should satisfy that.
"In fact, I have not been thinking that much about my results and university preferences and scholarships because I have been so preoccupied with my exchange."
As well as exceeding her own academic expectations, Abbey said she was also proud to have set an example as a country student.
"I am very pleased that I have managed to prove that it doesn't matter where you are, the scores you get are dependent on the work you put in."
Joe said he was "stoked" with his results after performing better than expected.
Despite a hectic final year at school, he said achieving such a high score had made up for all the hard work.
The 17-year-old is now looking forward to studying physiotherapy at Notre Dame University.
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