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Queensland Exam Shock: 8 Schools Teach Wrong Year 12 Topic — Minister Orders Urgent Probe Into Ancient History Mix-Up

Students across Queensland were left stunned as at least eight high schools, including the prestigious Brisbane State High School, taught the wrong Ancient History topic for their final Year 12 exams.

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Queensland Exam Shock: 8 Schools Teach Wrong Ancient History Topic | Education Minister Orders Investigation
Students of Brisbane State High School were taught the wrong Ancient History topic — a mistake now under urgent government investigation.

Queensland’s Exam Mix-Up Sparks Outrage and Apology

In a major educational blunder, at least eight Queensland state high schools have reportedly taught their Year 12 students the wrong topic for the Ancient History external examination, prompting an urgent investigation ordered by Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek.

Among the affected institutions is Brisbane State High School — one of Queensland’s most reputable schools — where students prepared for an exam on the Roman Emperor Augustus instead of the assigned topic, Julius Caesar. The mix-up has shocked parents, teachers, and students alike just hours before the crucial examination.

The error came to light earlier this week when Brisbane State High School, which boasts over 3,500 students, issued an apology to parents and students after realising the mistake. “We are sincerely sorry for this error,” the school said in an official email, adding that emergency study sessions and additional learning resources had been arranged to cover the correct topic before the exam.

Queensland Exam Shock: 8 Schools Teach Wrong Ancient History Topic | Education Minister Orders Investigation

A “Deeply Regrettable” Mistake, Says Education Department

A spokesperson from the Queensland Department of Education expressed remorse over the error, calling it “deeply regrettable” and assuring that all affected students would receive full support.

“We are deeply sorry for this mistake and are supporting students and families during this time,” the spokesperson said, adding that the department is working closely with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) to ensure no student is academically disadvantaged.

Minister John-Paul Langbroek echoed this commitment, saying, “This is not good enough, given the impact this could have on students and their families at a time they should be focused on the exams they have to sit.”

He confirmed that students’ grades would be “scaled appropriately” since 75 per cent of their course assessments had already been completed internally.

How Did the Error Happen?

The Ancient History syllabus topic reportedly changed from Augustus to Julius Caesar for the 2025 academic year. Schools were officially notified of this change as early as August 2023, and the update was reissued in April 2024.

Queensland Exam Shock: 8 Schools Teach Wrong Ancient History Topic | Education Minister Orders Investigation

Despite this, a small number of schools continued teaching the outdated topic. According to QCAA CEO Claude Jones, the authority is “proactively checking with all 172 schools” to confirm that the problem is not more widespread.

The QCAA admitted it had become aware that “a small number of schools” had prepared students for the wrong topic. All affected schools will now submit a “misadventure application” to ensure students receive fair consideration during grading.

Brisbane State High Reacts Swiftly

Following the revelation, Brisbane State High School acted quickly by organising crash courses on Julius Caesar, distributing resources, and arranging last-minute tutorials for students before the Wednesday exam.

The school’s leadership reassured students that while the exam would not be rewritten, the QCAA had confirmed that it is “skills-based” — meaning students could still perform well despite having studied the wrong topic.

“Our students will be able to demonstrate their skills and knowledge even though we have deviated from the prescribed topic,” the school said.

In an effort to rectify the damage, the school is filing an Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) request with QCAA, which allows special consideration for unforeseen circumstances affecting exam performance.

Students Face Emotional Strain Before Final Exams

The mistake could not have come at a worse time. Year 12 students are currently in the middle of their external exam period, which determines a quarter of their final subject results.

For some, the shock has been overwhelming. “It’s incredibly unfair,” said one Brisbane student, “We worked so hard all year, and now we’re scrambling to learn an entirely new topic overnight.”

Teachers at other affected institutions, including Flagstone State Community College, also reported discovering the error just one day before the exam. The college informed parents late Tuesday and arranged an emergency study tutorial for Wednesday morning.

QCAA Promises “No Student Will Be Disadvantaged”

In a public statement, QCAA CEO Claude Jones reaffirmed that all affected students would be treated fairly. “Our assessment experts will apply additional quality assurance processes when marking these exam responses,” he said.

He stressed that schools are informed of exam topics well in advance and that QCAA’s systems were in place to prevent such oversights. However, he acknowledged that in this instance, internal communication within schools may have failed.

The Education Minister, John-Paul Langbroek, reassured parents and students that these were not “100 per cent exams” — meaning the external assessment does not determine the entire grade. “If this had been a full-weighted exam, it would’ve been devastating,” he told ABC Radio Brisbane.

Not the First Exam Disruption

This is not the first challenge faced by Queensland’s education system this week. On Monday, power outages caused by storms led to the cancellation of several exams at Brigidine College, Stuartholme School, and Ambrose Treacy College.

Those exams, which included Accounting, Design, and Aerospace Systems, could not be rescheduled to maintain fairness and security, according to QCAA.

Government Vows Transparency and Accountability

Minister Langbroek has ordered a full investigation into how this mix-up occurred, promising transparency and accountability. “We must ensure this never happens again,” he said.

Parents and teachers across Queensland are now demanding stricter oversight from education boards and better systems to prevent such administrative errors.

As Queensland’s Year 12s continue their final exams, the state’s education authorities face growing pressure to restore public trust and guarantee that students’ futures are not compromised by bureaucratic mistakes.

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Millionaire’s Club” surprise at Bronx high school as (9) nine teens bag $11M in scholarships — ‘I’m not a genius, just passionate

Nine (9) extraordinary students from Cardinal Spellman High School defy expectations and land Ivy League scholarships, stitching prom dresses, chasing dreams, and even cold-calling universities for extra aid.

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4 months ago

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July 7, 2025

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9 Bronx Teens Earn $11M in Scholarships and Join “Millionaire’s Club” at Cardinal Spellman
Nine Bronx students from Cardinal Spellman High School celebrate joining the “Millionaire’s Club” after securing nearly $11 million in scholarships through grit, ambition, and passion.

They’re calling it the “Millionaire’s Club” — and it’s not Wall Street behind it, but Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx.

In a moment that’s sending ripples of pride through New York City, nine graduating seniors from the Catholic high school have secured an awe-inspiring $10.8 million in scholarship money collectively. Each of them earned over $1 million in merit-based grants, with offers from prestigious institutions including Ivy League universities.

But here’s the twist — these aren’t kids from elite prep academies with family legacies. They’re Bronx-born, first-generation Americans who’ve proven that hard work, passion, and persistence can carve a path toward elite education.

“Somebody actually called and argued with me that that was impossible,” said Dierdre Gibbons, Director of Admissions at Cardinal Spellman. “But here they are — living proof.”

Among the standout stars is Rehema Ojwang, who’s headed to Princeton University to study politics. Her story resonates deeply in a city built on immigrant grit.

“I’m not a genius, and I was born and raised in the Bronx,” she told reporters. “My parents are immigrants. What you have to do is just stay passionate. You don’t have to start a business or a nonprofit. Just put effort into the things you like doing.”

Joining Ojwang in this elite club are Shakira Simo, Alyssa Rill, Gabrielle Henriques, Robert Hernandez, Akua Amponsah, Nina Gonzalez, Saniya Smith, and Kaylynn Little.

Ivy Dreams Built on Grit

The secret behind their success? Old-school determination — and an average of 16 college applications per student. Hernandez, who applied to a jaw-dropping 20 universities, said his dream is to become “the greatest actor ever.” He was a standout in the school’s theatre program, never missing an opportunity to perform or rehearse.

Others juggled academics with personal flair. Henriques sewed her own prom dress. The students weren’t just applying to top-tier schools, but also writing dozens of personalized scholarship essays — some for amounts as small as $1,000.

Beyond Book Smarts

Spellman’s “Millionaire’s Club” shows that excellence comes in many forms. These students are athletes, artists, leaders, and hustlers. While the scholarships largely came from universities, a sizable chunk came from external organizations — a testament to their well-rounded resumes and community involvement.

Simo, who is bound for Brown University to study public policy, shared how far she’s come:

“It’s really inspiring to accomplish something so big. I didn’t imagine this as a freshman. But grit and determination — that’s what got me here.”

These teens weren’t just passive applicants — they actively negotiated their offers, in some cases cold-calling schools and asking for more aid. The strategy worked.

Spellman’s Shining Legacy

Located in the Bronx, Cardinal Spellman High School has long been a staple of the borough’s educational landscape. But this year’s graduating class may have redefined the school’s legacy entirely.

Spellman proudly posted its record-breaking scholarship haul on social media, and the news is quickly making national headlines.

“They cast a wide net,” said Gibbons. “They weren’t afraid to dream big and work for it.”

A Path for Others to Follow

Perhaps most powerful is what these students represent — the next generation of Black, Latino, immigrant, and working-class youth smashing ceilings and rewriting narratives. In an era where elite education can seem unattainable without privilege, these students are a much-needed reminder that merit still matters — and that there’s room at the top for Bronx brilliance.

Some of the institutions welcoming them next semester include Marist College, SUNY Stony Brook, and Lehman College — alongside the Ivy League.

As they prepare to part ways and enter a world far beyond the borough, the “Millionaire’s Club” is already inspiring underclassmen at Spellman.

“This shows younger students what’s possible,” Ojwang said. “You don’t need to be born into wealth. You just need drive.”

Closing Notes

From sewing prom dresses to dominating theatre stages, from cold-calling financial aid offices to applying to dozens of scholarships — these nine students embody what it means to chase your dreams in America. Not through shortcuts or luck, but through resilience, focus, and an unwavering belief in their future.

Their story isn’t just about money. It’s about vision. About proving — once again — that even in the Bronx, brilliance knows no bounds.

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