Carmel School is number one in WA

PERTH’S Carmel School has topped the state in the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), beating every other school as per rankings by percentage of course scores over 75.

The small, non-selective Jewish school was ranked first on a list of the top 50 schools released by WA’s School Curriculum and Standards Authority last week. It achieved 42.3 per cent of subject scores over 75 (out of 100), ahead of Perth Modern School in second place with 40.6 per cent.

Moreover, the median ATAR for Carmel School was 93.75, with two thirds – 21 of its 32 students – landing themselves in the top 10 per cent of the state, achieving an ATAR of 90 or above.

Carmel’s head of secondary school Dean Shadgett lauded the class of 2015 as a cohort which “worked outstandingly hard, and [were] incredibly supportive of each other”.

He said it was a combination of the students’ hard work, the support from their parents and the community, and the dedication of their teachers which paved the way for such fantastic results.

However, while praising the academic results, he stressed “it’s the holistic approach of the school” which is of prime importance.

Incoming principal Shula Lazar told The AJN it is “quite humbling” to be taking the reins of a school which has ranked top of the state, and routinely ranks amongst the top 10.

“It’s going to be hard to raise the bar from number one,” she noted. “It’s great to think I’m coming into a school that is really solid, thanks to the leadership of [former principal] David Taylor. I’m really grateful.”

From what she knew of 2015’s year 12 group, Lazar praised their work ethic and support for one another.

“They really helped each other and worked well together as a group,” she said.

“We have students with a whole range of abilities, and the teachers manage to bring out the best in all those students.”

Lazar has joined Carmel School, Perth’s only Jewish day school, following 16 years at Melbourne’s Leibler Yavneh College.

PHOEBE ROTH