Leading universities across Australia have granted early offers to more than 40 graduating students of Matthew Flinders Anglican College on the Sunshine Coast — almost one-third of the eligible cohort.
College Principal Michelle Carroll said the offers recognise Flinders students’ consistently high academic performance and strong character alongside their co-curricular, leadership, cultural exchange and service achievements.
In December, Flinders was ranked the number one primary and secondary school on the Sunshine Coast and in the top 20 schools in Queensland for 2025 NAPLAN results. Flinders was also named in the 5-Star Best Schools 2025 – one of only 34 schools awarded nationwide by The Educator.
Early-entry and recommendation schemes led to offers to Flinders students across a wide range of courses, including Engineering, Psychology, Law, Paramedicine, Music Performance, Forensic Science, Exercise Physiology, Nutrition, Business, Fashion Design, Nursing and Game Design.
Offers came from The University of Queensland, the University of the Sunshine Coast, QUT, Griffith University, Bond University, Australian National University (ANU), the University of Sydney and RMIT.
A number of students have also been successful in applying to graduate pathways, such as through the Australian Defence Graduate Program and Queensland Police Program.
Graduates are awaiting the release of their ATAR results on Thursday, 18 December. The Flinders Class of 2025 are invited to a special morning tea on campus that morning to celebrate their results as a cohort together with the Principal and their teachers.
“These early offers provide our students with valuable certainty about their future study pathways and endorse the College’s commitment to academic excellence and student wellbeing,” Ms Carroll said.
“Early offers also recognise students who show strong 21st-century skills like communication, collaboration and critical thinking, which we teach at Flinders because they are vital for self-directed learning at university and for success in the modern workplace,” Ms Carroll said.
This year, VET pathways were also popular at Flinders, with 18 students choosing to combine their academic studies with vocational training in either Engineering, Aviation, Business and Construction for more choices post-school.
STUDENT PROFILE: Lucy Sinnamon graduated with the Flinders Class of 2025 and received an early offer to study international relations and law at ANU, clearly impressing the selectors with her holistic portfolio, including both Academic Excellence and Academic Endeavour Awards in her final year and playing woodwind in the invitational College Band and Wind Symphony.
Lucy is also passionate about travel, cultural exchange and service. Last year, she visited Thailand for service learning as part of Flinders’ Round Square certification and in 2024 secured a travel bursary to attend the Change the World Model United Nations (CWMUN) conference in Singapore. As the 2025 Round Square Captain, Lucy encouraged her peers to grasp opportunities for domestic and international student exchange and service. In 2026, Lucy will contribute to a Round Square service project at the Starehe Centre for Boys in Kenya.
“We are immensely proud of our Flinders Class of 2025, including many students like Lucy who are passionate about exploring their interests and making a difference in the world," Ms Carroll said.
“Throughout Year 12 and the years leading up to it, our students have embraced academic rigour and shown commitment, resilience and well-rounded growth.
“As we await the ATAR release on Thursday, 18 December, those 40 graduates who have received early offers have enjoyed a significant confidence boost and are already set up for success at university and beyond. This recognition reflects the strength of our academic and co-curricular programs, and the dedication of our students, families and staff.
“We look forward to the whole cohort receiving their ATAR results and celebrating the many opportunities ahead of them as capable, confident graduates.”
Contrary to common debate, recent research from the UNSW shows that early entry offers do not necessarily lead to reduced effort by students. Rather, students who receive them often display enhanced “academic buoyancy”, meaning stronger capacity to manage academic challenges and stay motivated through the final year.
Learn more at www.mfac.edu.au
