Be recognised for achievements that go beyond your ATAR 🙌
The Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazer Awards are about celebrating more than just academic achievement or your ATAR. We identify & celebrate students who use their final years of school to make a positive impact in their community.
So much of Year 12 felt like it came down to what number I got at the end of the year, instead of skills I had learned.
Art of Smart helps you perform your best, but we realise that the focus on a raw number at the end of high school intensifies pressure on young people, which is why we encourage a holistic approach towards learning.
A report by the Black Dog Institute found that one of the top 3 concerns for young people meeting the criteria for a probable mental illness was coping with school or study problems.
In recent years, there’s been a shift at top firms such as Ernst & Young and PwC who have ended the requirement for candidates to have completed a university degree, allowing Year 12 students to bypass university and start working.
Art of Smart recognises and helps students set broader goals from a younger age so they can build a diverse set of skills and capabilities that can be adapted to many job opportunities.
Go beyond adding your ATAR to your resume by showcasing your skills via projects and experiences!
Celebrate your enterprise skills 🎉
Meet like-minded individuals 💡
At Art of Smart, we help you get the best marks possible, but a narrow focus on marks fails to reward students who invest in broader skills via their own passion projects which is why we focus on broader goals.
Mike Cannon Brookes and Scott Farquhar, founders of Sydney-based $53 billion software company, Atlassian, dropped out of university to pave their own way to success.
Students must submit a written application by 22nd May
Judges will select students from a
shortlist by 17th June
Presentation of awards by
judges on 30th June
Recognition as one of Australia’s Top 50 Trailblazers with holistic excellence
Meet fellow nominees and network with industry leaders
Build your personal brand and profile as a future leader
Be featured in articles, videos, podcasts and more that reach over 1 million people
We help you build a proven study plan so you can ace your HSC Trials
Top 10 Trailblazers receive 1 on 1 mentoring with industry leaders
Want to become a Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazer?
They're not the full picture for success - for students or employers. We're looking for Year 12 students
who have taken initiative and made an impact. You should nominate if you have:
Created a project or volunteered in your school or community
Participated in co-curricular activities including sport, academics or arts
Current Year 12 student who has held a leadership position at school
Co-Founder & Chief Community Officer at Earlywork
🔎 Ex-Product Manager at Finder
💡 Led youth not for profit Generation Entrepreneur
💻 Passionate about helping young people create the careers of tomorrow
CEO & Founder of Flourish Girl
🗣 Accredited TEDx speaker and facilitator
🦋 Senior female facilitator at The Rites of Passage Institute
💫 Passionate about giving teenage girls a voice
2022 Young Australian of the Year Finalist
🌐 Youth Ambassador at UNICEF
🎙 Award-winning keynote and TEDx speaker
🧠 Board Director of the Adolescent Health Association of Australia
Blackmores Women+Wellbeing Winner
🏆 Anthill 30 Under 30 Entrepreneur Winner
📑 12 years experience in public policy with NSW Government
👩🚒 NSW Rural Fire Service Firefighter
Want to become a Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazer?
Have Questions?
Read our Frequently Asked Questions
We know school isn’t just about academic success — it’s also about maintaining your wellbeing and answering the difficult question, “What am I going to do with my life when I finish school, and how do I get there?”