Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazer Awards NSW 2021

Be recognised for achievements that go beyond your ATAR
Learn more!
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What Are the Trailblazer Awards?

Introducing the Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazer Awards

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.

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Why Apply to be a Trailblazer?

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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.

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Don't let your ATAR define your success

The HSC isn't just about your ATAR

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.

Study-related anxiety is on the rise

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.

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University degrees are no longer the gateway to employment

Employers look for skills not degrees

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.

Students need broader goals

Art of Smart recognises and helps students set broader goals from a younger age so they canbuild a diverse set of skills and capabilities that can be adapted to many job opportunities.

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Go beyond adding your ATAR to your resume by showcasing your skills via projects and experiences!

Celebrate your enterprise skills

Meet like-minded individuals

Invest in skills and opportunities that set you up for success

You are more than your marks

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.

✏️ Pave your own way to success

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.

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How Does it Work?

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Submit an Application

Students must submit a written application by 8th November


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Judges Shortlist Students

Judges will select students from a
shortlist by 2nd December



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Awards Night

Presentation of awards by
judges on 16th December

Benefits of Becoming a Year 12 Trailblazer

Celebrate

Be recognised as a Trailblazer

Recognition as one of NSW’s Top 50 Trailblazers with holistic excellence

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Invitation to Awards Night

Meet fellow nominees and network with industry leaders

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Build your personal brand

Build your personal brand and profile as a future leader

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Be featured in media

Be featured in articles, videos, podcasts and more that reach over 1 million people

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Access our Professional Accelerator

Learn key career skills in our 3-day Pathfinder Accelerator

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Mentored by industry leaders

Top 10 Trailblazers receive 1 on 1 mentoring with industry leaders

Want to become a Top 100 Year 12 Trailblazer?

Apply now!
Who Should Apply?

We know that traditional academic results don’t define you.

They're not the full picture for success - for students or employers. We're looking for Year 12 HSC or IB students
who have taken initiative and made an impact. You should nominate if you have:

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Community Volunteers

Created a project or volunteered in your school or community

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Co-curricular Participants

Participated in co-curricular activities including sport, academics or arts

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School Leaders

Current HSC/IB student who has held a leadership position at school

Award Categories

Apply in one of the following categories:

  • Arts & Music
  • Business & Entrepreneurship
  • Science & Technology
  • Social Impact & Change
  • Environment

Be recognised as
1 of 50 Year 12 Trailblazers across
NSW

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Here Are Some of Our Judges

  • Sam Klintworth

    National Director of Amnesty International Australia

    ⚖️ Dedicated human rights defender

    ✏️ 30 years in not for profit sector

    Passionate advocate for Children's rights

  • Matt Kean

    The Hon. Matt Kean, MP

    能源和环境部长

    Member for Hornsby

    ✏️ Member of NSW Legislative Assembly

  • Jeanette Cheah

    CEO & Founder of HEX

    G20 Young Entrepreneurs

    ⚡ 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians

    Passionate about building innovation into Higher Education

  • 克利福德•罗森berg

    Non Executive Director of TechnologyOne

    Former Managing Director S.E Asia, Australia & NZ for LinkedIn

    ️ Former Non Executive Director for Afterpay

    ️ Former Managing Director for Yahoo! Australia & NZ

Want to become a Top 50 Year 12 Trailblazer?

Apply now!

Meet our Top 50 Trailblazers for 2021!

Watch the 2021 Trailblazer Awards Night!

Have Questions?

Read our Frequently Asked Questions

  • Key Dates
  • Applications
    • When is the deadline to submit an application?
      Written applications must be submitted by 17th November.
    • When is the deadline for schools to nominate a student?
      学生必须提交由学校提名ted by 17th November.
    • When will the shortlist be released?
      Our distinguished judge panel will shortlist applicants by 2nd December.
    • When is the Awards Night?
      The Top 50 Trailblazer Awards Night will be held on 16th December (pending COVID-19 Restrictions in NSW).
    • What is the Pathfinder Professional Accelerator and when will it be held?
      The Pathfinder Professional Accelerator helps students clarify their career path, optimise university preferences, write winning cover letters and resumes and helps them confidently pitch themselves in job interviews and professional settings.

      它将在3天举行in early January 2022.
    • Are there any requirements you need to meet in order to apply?
      Yes, there are three.

      1. You must be a current high school student in NSW and intend to complete your Higher School Certificate (HSC) or International Baccalaureate (IB) in 2021.
      2. You must submit your completed nomination form and all supporting documents by the required deadline.
      3. You must make reasonable efforts to be available for the Awards Night on 16th December [Pending COVID Restrictions]
    • What sort of student should apply?
      We know that traditional academic results don’t define you. They are not the full picture for success - for students or employers. Instead, we are looking for students who have taken initiative and made an impact. You should nominate if you:

      1. Created a project or volunteered in your school or community
      2. Participated in co-curricular activities including sport, academics or arts.
      3. Held a leadership position such as captain or SRC representative.

Art of Smart has been equipping high school students for life after school since 2009

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?”

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What are you waiting for? Become a Trailblazer!

Send through an application below

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