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Methodist Ladies’ College graduate Anaia Kakulas opened her ATAR results on Friday evening thinking she may have done well. She did not expect a perfect score of 99.95.
“Shoot, no way, let’s go,” she exclaims in a video later posted to TikTok. Her brother, who was filming her reaction is also clearly elated for his sister.
“I always thought I would do well, and I was aiming for an ATAR of 99, but I never had any expectations beyond that,” Anaia told this masthead.
“As soon as I saw the number I started jumping around, I really couldn’t believe it, and my brother joined in and started jumping around with me too.
“My parents wanted to give me some space to open my results first, but I think they were eavesdropping in the laundry – I ran in to them, and I was crying.”
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Anaia was not the only year 12 graduate from Western Australia who took to TikTok after filming her reaction to opening the long-awaited results.
While many posts were positive, with students celebrating their wins with their families, others were less pleased and candidly shared their disappointment in their final scores.
Edith Cowan University School of Education senior lecturer Dr Sarah Jefferson said while some students would be on a high after opening their ATAR results, others might be feeling deflated.
“It is a time of mixed emotions and opening those results could be a huge disappointment,” she said.
“When you spend years building up to this moment, it can be hard to live up to expectations.”
Jefferson said it was important for students to remember there were “so many different pathways to get where you want to go.”
WA Education Minister Sabine Winton congratulated graduating students, and highlighted those who found out they had achieved an exhibition or award from the School Curriculum and Standards Authority on Monday morning.
“I hope you can now take the time to celebrate your success with your family and friends,” she said.
“To all the parents and caregivers, school leaders, teachers and support staff who play a significant role in a student’s journey – thank you.”
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