December 20, 2025 — 10:53am
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West Australian high school graduates have logged in to find out their ATAR results and for 18 students, opening them held an additional surprise – the highest possible score of 99.95.
Anaia Kakulas, from Methodist Ladies’ College, opened her results in the backyard with her brother. She had asked him to film her reaction for fun, but never thought she would get the top result.
“I always thought I would do well and I was aiming for an ATAR of 99, but I never had any expectations beyond that,” she said.
“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.”
Anaia, who studied mathematics specialist and methods, literature, French and chemistry, said it was difficult to decide what to do next year, but she had applied for medicine at the University of Western Australia.
Her advice for students heading into year 12 next year was to look after themselves and to not “push past breaking point”.
“I had a lot of friends staying up really late studying and I would go to bed early – it sometimes felt like it wasn’t doing enough,” she said.
“But everyone is running their own race.”
Patrick Wang from Duncraig Senior High School also received the top ATAR of 99.95.
“The results were released earlier than expected and my friends were messaging me to let me know they were out,” he said.
“Some of them were really happy and others were disappointed.
“I was pretty nervous, and it was surreal to see what I got and my family was really happy and excited as well.”
Patrick, who took on English, physics, mathematics specialist and methods, accounting and finance and French, is hoping to study a Bachelor of Commerce at UWA or the University of Melbourne next year.
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“My advice to students going into year 12 would be to keep asking their teachers for feedback on ways to improve and to reach out for help if they need it,” he said.
Ishika Balram, from Perth Modern School, also found out the results had been released early after receiving messages from friends, and called her family into her room to open them with her.
“I couldn’t believe that I got the top score, I was really happy that my hard work paid off,” she said.
“My family was also really excited and proud of me.”
Ishika said she had loved studying Italian and literature over the year, as she had been learning something a bit different to all her other science-based classes – mathematics specialist, physics and chemistry.
She sat her mathematics methods ATAR exam in year 11, freeing up some time to focus on her other subjects in year 12.
“It’s a long year, and it’s important not to get caught up in small setbacks,” she said.
“It’s better to focus on the bigger picture and to pace yourself and give yourself some grace and understanding.”
Rachael Wiese, who graduated from Shenton College, said she had been a little nervous to open her results but because she had sat the exams a while ago, she had mostly felt curious.
“I opened my results in my room and then started yelling out when I saw what I had achieved – I called for my parents to come and look,” she said.
Her mother, Kim Farrington, said she had been thrilled for her daughter.
“She had a good balance. She was very organised but she also made sure she spent time away from study as well.”
Rachael said it had been difficult to know what to do next year. Farrington said that was because “she loves everything”.
But, after considering taking a gap year, she decided to apply for a Bachelor of philosophy and engineering at UWA.
“My advice is give yourself more credit than you think,” Rachael said.
“Whatever happens, it’s going to be OK.
“Trust yourself enough to take breaks, choose not to study when that’s not what you need, and be kind to yourself.”
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