Nicholas Sartor plans to stay in Griffith for a gap year. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Nicholas Sartor has received the highest Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for a Griffith year 12 student in 2022, with a score of 97.5, meaning he is ranked in the top 2.5 per cent of students in the country.
“I think it’s the third highest in recent years,” Mr Sartor said. “My brother [Marcus] got an ATAR of 97.3 in 2020. Beating him was definitely a huge motivator. I thought there was no way I could, I thought I didn’t do well in my exams … but then I happened to get the right marks in the right subjects and that was enough to boost me just over what he got.”
Nicolas said he was able to ace his studies without sacrificing too much.
“I had a really good balance with my social life – every week I was out with friends,” he said.
He now plans to study a double degree in law and arts, at either the University of Sydney or the University of NSW.
But he’s not ready to leave Griffith yet.
“I’m taking a gap year and I’ll be working as a teacher’s assistant at Marian. I’ve really enjoyed my time at the school, and it’s something I’d like to do.”
Other students at Marian Catholic College to receive an ATAR of more than 90 included: Yingxin Li (97.35), Claudia Torresan (96.8), Charmi Gami (96.75), Khush Patel (95.65), Aryellah Dal Broi (95.1), Pria Cerato (95), Adam Linos (94.45) and Lexi Salvestro (91.2).
Acting principal Lora Segrave with Marian Catholic College’s top students Pria Cerato, Aryellah Dal Broi, Yingxin Li, Claudia Torresan, Nicholas Sartor, Lexi Salvestro and assistant principal Damien Herb. Photo: Supplied.
Region caught up with Nicholas for our regular feature profile on year 12 students doing exciting things next year.
Name: Nicholas Sartor
Age: 18
Schools: St Patricks (primary), Marian (high)
Best memory of school: Getting to be school captain. I was vice captain, Claudia Torresan was captain.
Naughtiest thing you ever did at school: I can think of a few things but I’m not going to say.
Teachers that inspired you: Ms Sparkes, she was my mentor and business studies teacher.
One thing you’d change about the education system: The HSC doesn’t really measure things like creativity and it’s not an accurate measure of intelligence. We need a better measure than HSC, there is a whole other six years of high school that’s being ignored.
Role model: My mum Jeanette Sartor, she’d been very supportive of me and one day I want to be like her to my children.
Famous person you most admire and why: Marcus Sartor, my brother.
Plans for next year: A gap year in Griffith working as a teacher’s assistant and working at Bloom’s Chemist.
Best advice you ever got from your parents: Do your best. Don’t do it for us, do it for yourself.
Social issue you most care about: Mental health in Griffith – we need better access to services.
Special skills: I used to play guitar, I’ll use my gap year to get back into that. I also played soccer as a centre-back.
Dream career job: Criminal lawyer.
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