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HSC blog

7.05pm

That's a wrap on our 2024 HSC blog coverage

We hope you've enjoyed our coverage of the 2024 HSC results.

Congratulations to every NSW public school student who completed their HSC. We wish you the very best on whatever pathway you choose to take.

7pm

Barrenjoey results impress across the board

By Kate Minogue

Barrenjoey High School Year 12s gathered for an ATAR morning tea this morning amidst an air of elation and relief.

“It’s good to see everyone and talk with the teachers again because it’s probably the last time we are all going to be together and we have all done well,” Cian Sargeant said.

Cian was selected for the Shape exhibition for the drinks cabinet he designed and made for Industrial Technology Timber.

The comprehensive co-ed high school in Avalon had plenty to celebrate as HSC results were revealed yesterday. It had strong results across subject areas including English Advanced, Maths Standard, Society and Culture and VET Construction. Overall, the school achieved 82 Band 6 and 240 Band 5 results.

The dux of the school Megan Gibson was pleasantly surprised to achieve an ATAR of 98.65.

“My family were really happy when I got my results and very helpful all year – my dad let me use his office to study and my mum was always encouraging but not putting too much pressure on me to work. In the end, you have to find it within yourself,” Megan said.

Megan hopes to study law and economics at the University of Sydney next year.

Stella Julius, who achieved six Band 6 results, said she didn’t know what to expect, but was happy when she found out her ATAR was 94.75.

“The thing that made the biggest difference to me this year was having really good teachers that I have built good relationships with. I really wanted to be here at Barrenjoey for Year 11 and 12, and I never considered going to Freshwater (the nearby senior campus),” she said.

Brooke Gibson, who plans to take a gap year next year was excited to receive an ATAR of 94.15.

“I know lots of people started studying early but I didn’t - I recommend working out what works best for you and making small goals to achieve throughout the year. Also, have a supportive network of friends, family and teachers. Our teachers were so supportive, they cared about us and put in so much time before and after school helping us,” she said.

Principal Brett Blaker was delighted with the HSC results and said he was proud of his students and the teachers.

“For me, it’s all around setting high expectations and high levels of academic rigour and student engagement. I want students to choose subjects they are happy doing and passionate about, that’s where they will stay engaged,” he said.

“This year, there was an after-school tutorial program with uni students and senior study sessions with teachers that were popular. If you are providing kids with opportunities to learn and they are working hard, this is the result.

“I’m feeling really positive about the results and my goal is to continue this improvement next year.”

6.50pm

Hard work reaps rewards for Armidale Secondary College students

By Kristi Pritchard-Owens

Armidale Secondary College’s new principal, Kim Allford, only took up the position four weeks ago.

But upon learning the school had 17 students on this year’s Distinguished Achievers list, she paid tribute to the staff that had supported them throughout the year.

“Behind every successful student is a dedicated and hardworking teacher guiding them towards their potential, and that’s certainly been reflected in the amazing results our students have achieved throughout this year,” Ms Allford said.

Layla Cooper was ASC’s top achiever, with an ATAR of 95.85. Layla was recognised on the Distinguished Achievers list in four subjects: Advanced English, English Extension 1, Legal Studies and PD/H/PE.

Aspiring high school teacher Sophia-Rose Markham also placed on the list for multiple subjects, telling ABC Radio this morning that it was a relief to know she had done well.

“You definitely want to see your hard work reflected in those numbers and  reflected in those results,” Miss Markham said. 

“I guess at the end of the day, you want to make your friends, your family, you want to make your teachers proud.”

Elsewhere in the New England, Inverell High School’s Kobi Weiss made the Distinguished Achievers list in Ancient History, English Extension 1 and History Extension, while Maisie Eastwood from nearby Macintyre High achieved the top band in Business Studies, Advanced English and PD/H/PE.

In Tamworth, Kendra Fitzpatrick was named Dux of Oxley High School with an ATAR of 91, while Olivia Mawhinney achieved two Band 6s; one in English Extension 1 and the other in Visual Arts.

At Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, Dayboy Prefect Harrison Mills received a 90.70 ATAR and was a Distinguished Achiever in Advanced English, English Extension 1, Industrial Technology and Legal Studies.

He said he hoped to study Psychological Science at UNSW.

6.40pm

Hunter schools hit the right note

By Helen Gregory

The Hunter is alive with the sound of celebrations, as two of the region’s public school students earned places in the state’s top 10 for Music 1.

Merewether High School’s Tobi Eeles secured first in the State in the subject, while Warners Bay High School’s James Husband received seventh place.

Meanwhile Lambton High School’s Rebecca Craig has been awarded first place in Swedish Continuers, for which she had an outside tutor.

The Hunter is strongly represented on the Top Achievers in Course merit list, which acknowledges students who achieved one of the highest places in a Higher School Certificate course and a result in the highest band.

Tobi Eeles also received ninth place in Community and Family Studies, while her peers Madeline Drabsch was second in Spanish Beginners - which she studied through Camden Haven High School Distance Education Centre - and Aditya Swami was seventh in Earth and Environmental Science. Miriam Palazzi was 18th in Modern History.

Rutherford Technology High School’s Kalynda Marriott was fourth in Retail Services, while Newcastle High School’s Cassidy Hight was ninth in Hospitality.

Merewether High School has 22 students on the All-round Achievers merit list who received the highest possible band in 10 or more units.

Schools across the Hunter and Mid North Coast also claimed hundreds of students on the HSC Distinguished Achievers merit list for achieving the highest band possible for one or more HSC courses.

Callaghan College clinches Band 6 success

By Helen Gregory

Callaghan College Jesmond Senior Campus in Newcastle has achieved its highest number of Band 6s and Australian Tertiary Admission Rank in recent memory.

• Chelsea Young received four Band 6s and one E4, the highest band for an extension course.

• Kim Deng and Barirah Khalil each received 2 Band 6s and one E4.

• Mia Stamelatos and Abigail Spannenberg each received three Band 6s.
  

• Mia Ivory and Isabella Beves each received two Band 6s.

College Principal Dr Kylee Owen congratulated the students and staff at a breakfast celebration at the Jesmond Senior Campus.

Dr Owen said she recognised the hard work, dedication and talent of the students that contributed to the “remarkable collective achievement”.

“Our students have set an outstanding precedent this year,” Dr Owen said.

“It has been an exciting morning not only for the students who have secured top rankings, but for so many of our students who have achieved their personal best.

“A huge congratulations to every staff member across Callaghan who has contributed to these results. It absolutely takes a village, and we have the most wonderful Callaghan village.”

Chelsea, 18, said she was “thrilled” with her ATAR of 98.75, which the school said was the highest in recent memory that one of its students had received.

She said she had received five early entry offers, but her ATAR combined with her Law Admission Test score should help her gain entry to her first preference: law and arts at UNSW.

She will be the first person in her immediate family to attend university.

“I did not expect it would be this high and now I feel I have a ticket to everywhere,” she said.

“I believe law is the best way I can make a change in my community.

“Working with a team to find the best possible solution is something I’ve loved during debating, which I’ve done since year four.”

Chelsea said she didn’t have a set number of hours she devoted to her studies throughout the year, but estimates she was spending about nine hours revising during the final exam period.

“My teachers showed such dedication to me and I didn’t want to let them down,” she said.

“They didn’t put pressure on me, but I knew they had high expectations and I wanted to make them proud.”

She said the family would celebrate her results – and her younger brother Ben’s Year 6 graduation – at dinner tonight.

6.30pm

Beau’s flair for the dramatic secures prestigious offer

By Billy Kos

A Woonona High School student who undertook three construction courses as part of her HSC has been offered a rare opportunity to study set construction at NIDA.

A blackbelt Hapkido and extreme weaponry student, Beau Brown originally wanted to be a stunt person or a roadie.

But after attending an open day at the National Institute for the Dramatic Art (NIDA), she decided to skip the gap year she had planned and apply for its Bachelor of Fine Arts - Set Construction Technologies course instead.

Beau is one of only six people across the Southern Hemisphere to be offered a place in the course, which is the only one of its kind in Australia and one of only a few available worldwide.

The course will equip her with the skills needed to build sets and performance environments in theatre, film and for live events.

Beau said a school excursion in Year 10 to watch Moulin Rouge inspired her passion for set construction.

“During the performance I saw two halves of a diamond-shaped set roll on to the stage and meet perfectly in the middle, and this is what inspired me to work towards attending NIDA,” Beau said.

“The staff at Woonona High School have been extremely encouraging throughout the HSC, and the technology teachers were especially interested in helping me develop the skills I would need to be successful with my future endeavours.

“To be accepted into NIDA and especially on my first attempt means the absolute world to me.

“Working in the industry has always been a goal of mine and to see it come true and unfold before me is truly incredible and I'm extremely excited to see where this path takes me.”

Beau’s mum Sharon Brown said she was proud of her daughter and thanked Woonona High School for supporting Beau throughout her high school journey.

6.20pm

Newcastle High doubles Band 6s

By Helen Gregory

Newcastle High School is crunching the numbers and celebrating its students receiving 31 Band 6s and E4s - almost double the figure from last year.

In addition, Cassidy Hight received an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 97.05, as well as 9th place in Hospitality.

Principal Dr Janene Rosser said the school’s 101 Year 12 students had received:

• 29 Band 6s this year, up from 15 last year

• 2 E4s – the highest band for an extension course - up from one last year

• 105 Band 5s, up from 80 last year

• 207 Band 4s, up from 144 last year

“Newcastle High School achieved these results through co-creating and implementing a school vision to excel at the HSC and improve our learning culture,” Dr Rosser said.

“The school has implemented a variety of initiatives within our HSC Excellence Strategy focusing on quality practices, procedures, leadership, professional learning and the strong supervision of the HSC.

“In 2021, the school introduced a new senior learning hub, dedicated to improving the learning culture of the school and enhance the study environment for senior students.

“We have led this cultural change to focus on high performance, ensure senior students maximise their time, have the resources they need to succeed, and apply themselves to performing above their personal best.”

6.15pm

Music key to Keira High School’s HSC success

By Billy Kos

Three Keira High School students and Shakamoto band mates have made this year’s Distinguished Achievers List, scoring above 90 per cent in their Music 1 HSC exam.

Hamish Kettley, Callum Finlay and Orlando Bardevksi are among 12 students from the school’s 2024 cohort to make the list across a range of subjects.

The friends formed the band in 2021 and went on to win the NSW YouthRock Band Competition in 2023.

Fellow student and member of local band Cytosis, Hector James, also made the list for music, as well as for Mathematics Advanced.

Principal Scott Frazier said their music teachers were delighted.

“Both their music teachers are extremely proud, not only of the outstanding people they have become, but also their excellent dedication, passion and support of each other as musicians,” Mr Frazier said.

“This year we had an increase in the top three bands of HSC results, 59 students were provided early entry to the University of Wollongong, nine students completed their School-based Apprenticeship or Traineeship, and a number of students have already secured work and apprenticeships.

“Keira HS is extremely proud of all our students, achieving excellent results across a range of subjects.

“Each student received the marks that reflect their efforts, with a celebration at the school today for their achievements and camaraderie as a cohort.”

Students made the Distinguished Achievers List across ten subjects, including Music 1, Business Studies, Mathematics Standard 2, PDHPE, Visual Arts, Serbian Continuers, Mathematics Advanced, Aboriginal Studies and Community and Family Studies.

6.05pm

Camaraderie, collaboration and therapy dogs: James Ruse celebrates outstanding results

By Pascal Adolphe

Camaraderie, collaboration and therapy dogs played key roles in the success of the HSC cohort at James Ruse Agricultural High School this year.

School captain Nara Gong, who achieved a 99.5 ATAR, said the school prefect body had focused a lot on wellbeing.

“I think there’s been a real shift towards talking about mental health more in the school; talking about how we can all support each other especially as we get into our senior years and stress builds,” she said

“It’s really important to manage stress going into the HSC. Taking care of your mental health as a priority; getting enough sleep; talking to counsellors; you school advisers; your school staff, your teachers.

“We’ve also been doing a lot of initiatives. Our teacher brought in a group of therapy dogs for us one day and we had an afternoon with games and the dogs and that was a great stress reliever.”

Nara believes great “camaraderie’ among the Year 12 cohort was also one of the “bright spots’ of a challenging year.

“We started a lot of study groups, and we all shared our notes and our resources with each other. So, one of the bright spots was the camaraderie and working together.”

Principal Matthew Dopierala, who has only been in the job for six weeks, said there were similarities between the student cohort at James Ruse and those at his previous selective school postings as deputy principal at North Sydney Boys and Fort St high schools.

“There’s similarities in the buzz,” he said. “There’s a fire among the kids in their intellect. They love learning. They love sharing those similar passions and quirky interests among the year groups. They bounce and banter and play. The learning just continues and is enhanced by being around like-minded people.

The “collaboration” that Nara believes is critical to the school’s success is also key to Mr Dopierala’s vision for the future of James Ruse.

“That working together; that collaborative effort; the ‘We’ rather than ‘I’, is most important.,” he said. “We know the more closely staff work together, the more closely students work together, the greater the results will be not only in their marks but for the benefits of society as a whole.”

5.55pm

Woniora Road students get by with help from their friends

By Linda Doherty

Woniora Road School at Hurstville is celebrating the 11 students who overcame barriers and showed each other respect and compassion to complete the HSC.

The school is a specialised setting for Year 7 to 12 students with internalising mental health issues.

Two students received a Band 6 (one in Mathematics Standard 2 and one in Retail Services Examination), two more students received a Band 5 in Maths Standard 2 and both students who took Music 1 received a Band 5.

Principal Danny Callaghan said the class had collectively had many obstacles to contend with but had “seized the opportunities that our program has offered”.

Woniora Road School teachers implemented more intensive 'class tutorial' programs, embedding explicit teaching practices to augment the Distance Education provision in Stage 6.

“These results are the culmination of the considerable gains our students have made in not just their learning, but their wellbeing and transitional goals as well,” Mr Callaghan said.

“They have also been a cohort who have shown each other unconditional respect and compassion and leant into supporting each other through the stressors and high and lows of their final year at school. 

“This has all been made possible by the close collaboration between our students, their families, our dedicated staff and the teaching staff of Sydney Distance Education High School.”

5.40pm

Georges River College works together for shared success

5.30pm

You can bet on Newtown performing in the HSC

By Angus Huntsdale

Newtown High School of the Performing Arts student Frederique Lawrence exceeded her expectations in the HSC, achieving a Band 6 in all but one subject and being recognised on the All Rounder and Distinguished Achievers lists. Her reward? She owes her dad $30 after he bet she would get a higher result than she was expecting.

“It’s not fair,” she laughed. “I was going to declare the bet (null and void) but we take bets very seriously in our household.”

The school in Sydney’s inner west, which has a performing arts selective stream and local catchment, has continued its upward trajectory in the HSC results this year. And while it remains a performing arts powerhouse, it has also achieved significant rises in science, maths and English to become one of the top comprehensive schools in NSW.

Principal Dr Susan Green celebrated her school’s success today with Frederique and fellow Distinguished Achievers Alex Wienholt, Amy Forchert, Scarlett Saunders and Lola Merewether.

“Collaboration is in the lifeblood of our culture and we couldn’t succeed unless we collaborated across all the subjects,” Dr Green said.

“Our students are used to performing and that often requires working together and supporting each other so I don't see the school as having that really competitive sense between the students.”

Alex Wienholt achieved an ATAR of 99.35, with his strongest results in maths and physics. It was an incredible turnaround for the local catchment student, who said his teachers lifted him up after a “rebellious” period in his earlier high school years.

“My maths teacher Miss (Vicki) Stewart seemed to care about not just me but all students [regardless of] if we were struggling or top performing.

“She just kept supporting me to continue engaging with maths and loving the content – in her holidays she prepared workbooks for every single topic of the syllabus.”

School captain Amy Forchert is planning a career as an English teacher, turning her back on pathways of medicine and law.

“I know there’s the big thing that when you get a higher-than-expected ATAR you feel the pressure to make use of it, but I don’t see it that way – I want to follow my passion,” Amy said.

“I love my teachers and I love the experience of sharing knowledge and seeing people get stuff and expand on their knowledge – I just think it’s such a beautiful thing and a gift to have.”

5.25pm

Engineering success at Bomaderry High School

By Billy Kos

Bomaderry High School students have had outstanding success in Engineering Studies, with Tobias Binns, Patrick Higgins, Charlie Rudd and Daniel Whittaker achieving more than 90 per cent and a spot on the 2024 Distinguished Achievers List.

Principal Ian Morris said the Shoalhaven region suffered a significant skills shortage in engineering and advanced manufacturing.

“Bomaderry High School is tackling this issue by equipping students with the expertise and practical knowledge needed to thrive in these rapidly expanding industries,” Mr Morris said.

“We are celebrating the exceptional achievement of our Engineering Studies class, with four students receiving a Band 6 in the 2024 HSC.

“This accomplishment reflects the dedication of students and their outstanding teacher, Sam Burgin, who went above and beyond to inspire and support them,” he said.

The school’s commitment to future-focused learning and its strong connections with local industry played a pivotal role in the success of this class.

“The Band 6 cohort exemplified this approach, working closely as a team throughout the year, sharing ideas, solving problems collaboratively, and supporting one another to collectively achieve their potential,” Mr Morris said.

“This strong sense of camaraderie and peer-driven learning was instrumental in their shared success.

“Through initiatives such as industry tours and partnerships with business leaders, the school ensures its students are prepared to meet the demands of the modern workforce.

“The Band 6 recipients have their sights set on STEM careers, such as mechanical engineering and renewable energy, embodying the school’s mission to nurture the next generation of innovators.”

5.20pm

Kudos Katoomba!

By Olivia Grey

Katoomba High School’s Principal Tess Devine couldn’t wipe the smile off her face when the school’s results were released today.

“I’m really pleased to see so many exceptional marks come out of Katoomba High, but I’m also really proud of the entire cohort,” Ms Devine said.

“We had an increase of 18 per cent of students achieving results in the top three bands compared with last year. Combined with an incredible 24 Band 6s, this is our best result in recent history.

“It’s a testament to the effort of the students and our amazing staff. For the teachers and support staff, seeing many years of hard work payoff is incredibly satisfying.”

However for Ms Devine and the staff at Katoomba High, there’s more to success than marks. It’s just as critical that students leave school prepared to take on the world and thrive in post-school life.

“Our goal is always to ensure every student who leaves Katoomba High School has a high level of skills that will help them succeed in the world after school. I couldn’t be more proud of our young people, and I can’t wait to see what they achieve in the years to come,” Ms Devine said.

4.55pm

Swansea High School students shine

Helen Gregory reports

Swansea High School students are all smiles with what principal Andrew Pesle said was the school’s best Higher School Certificate results in recent memory.

Mr Pesle said the school’s students had achieved 13 Band 6 or E4s, the highest band for an extension course with the school’s vice-captain Tegan Taylor receiving an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 97.

“In 2023 we were acknowledged by our Secretary for Education, Murat Dizdar for being among the highest-performing schools in the state in terms of our growth and improvement in results,” Mr Pesle said.

“We have continued to improve, achieving better results this year with 13 Band 6 results and approximately 65 per cent of students achieving in the top three bands. I am extremely proud of our students and staff who work extremely hard to achieve these outstanding results.”

Mr Pesle said this included Erin Logie, who received a Band 6 in English Standard.

“Out of 33,128 students in the English Standard course, only 183 achieved a Band 6 result.”

4.50pm

Hard work bears fruit at Orange High School

By Natassia Soper

Preparation and hard work have been the key to success for the Orange High School class of 2024, who have elevated the school to be the highest-performing comprehensive high school across southwest NSW.

Principal Alison McLennan said teachers were thrilled with this year’s success and believed students deserved all the rewards reaped from months of dedication towards their study.

“Absolutely thrilled and excited. They are a hard-work cohort and have been resilient in their time at school, worked together and there was a little bit of competitiveness that kept them going,” she said.

“This year we lived by a ‘ready to learn’ mantra and for the first time offered voluntary study sessions throughout the school holidays, that students could opt in and out of.

“We had great attendance of our optional study sessions, in fact all the PDHPE students attended, with 11 receiving a Band 6 as a result,” she said.

There were 121 students who sat the HSC exam this year at Orange High School, with 19 appearing on the Distinguished Achievers list, which recognises when a student achieves a Band 6 in one or more subjects.

“I’m also very proud of the teachers – form strong relationships with kids and high expectation and strong culture for the kids to do the best they can,” Mrs McLennan said.

4.40pm

No chance of Miss Communication about HSC success

By Kristi Pritchard-Owens

Jaclyn Wynne has her heart set on “making it in music” after placing sixth across the State in Music but having just supported headliner act Tones and I, it seems her dream is almost a reality.

The Coffs Harbour Senior College student was just one of the 41 students who secured a total of 91 Distinguished Achiever places.

Standout student Imogen Graham achieved an ATAR of 99.4, making NESA’s All-Rounder list and coming seventh in the state in Ancient History.

Jaclyn Wynne received her HSC results just days after her band, Miss Communication, opened for the Aria award winning Tones and I.

She wants a career in music but has also applied for other degrees, including fine arts and fashion.

“I guess I’m not exactly sure where I want to go, but I want to do something creative,” Jaclyn said.

Another Coffs Coast school, Toormina High School achieved 11 Band 6 results, with seven of these students taught by CAPA Head Teacher Kyle McGeary.

Toormina High principal Paul Toohey said the great results in Music and Entertainment Industry Examination “demonstrated the importance of respect and connection” between students and their teachers as they transition into the senior years.

Bundjalung woman Imogen Laverty was among the eight Distinguished Achievers at Bellingen High School, who made the list for Aboriginal Studies, English Advanced, English Extension 1 and PDHPE. Student Luka Shirley was grinning from ear to ear after receiving an ATAR of 95.05.

One of the regions’ smaller schools had extra reason to celebrate today.

Nine students – all male - completed their HSC at Dorrigo High School in 2024, and two made the Distinguished Achievers list – Jasper Fischer for Spanish Beginners and Angus Waugh for Agriculture.

4.35pm

Show-stopping success for The Jannali High

By Ben Worsley

Teachers at The Jannali High School are exhilarated by the record number of creative students with major works selected for state showcases curated by the NSW Education Standards Authority.

Overall, The Jannali High School recorded its best HSC results in more than a decade, with 42 of the 135 HSC students on the Distinguished Achievers list. More than one-third of the HSC class of 2024 achieved the top two bands across all courses.

Principal Rick Coleman said the outstanding achievements were the result of hard work and dedication of teaching staff incorporating school priorities for effective data-informed practice and initiatives such as Quality Teaching Rounds and mentoring early career teachers.

A record 21 students received individual nominations for showcases in Dance (CALLBACK), Drama (OnSTAGE), Music (ENCORE) and Industrial Technology (SHAPE).

“We had a really strong cohort of CAPA [creative and performing arts] students this year and our HSC results are really strong in individual and group results. We had eight Band 6s in Music, for example, and a large number of Band 6s in other courses,” Mr Coleman said.

Mr Coleman said the school had put a strong focus on CAPA, offering scholarships in Dance and Drama to Year 6 students from partner primary schools to study at The Jannali High School and would continue to do so into the future.

4.25pm

Aboriginal students inspire future HSC cohorts

NSW Public Schools are in 2024 celebrating the largest enrolment of Aboriginal Year 12 students - and Dubbo College Senior Campus has broken its own record, with 75 students.

A record 2,265 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students were enrolled in Year 12 this year, a steady rise from 2,085 in 2021.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said it was encouraging to see the continued rise in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students completing Year 12 but acknowledged there was more to do.

“I want to congratulate all our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students and the families and our staff who have supported them in completing their HSC.

“For many of these students there is significant pride in being the first in their family to secure this qualification.

Read Kerrie O'Connor's story in full.

3.35pm

VET students gain more than an ATAR

Isaac Guymer chose to study the Vocational Education and Training course Human Services Examination because he wants to plot a pathway to study medicine.

The course provides an introduction to the health system and Isaac undertook a work placement at Bowral Hospital with the nursing staff.

He said the work placement was “challenging” and admitted a difficult experience with a patient almost made him drop the subject.

A few kind words from the Nursing Unit Manager changed his mind and this week Isaac came first in NSW in the subject.

The 2024 captain at Moss Vale High School now hopes to study a Bachelor of Pre-Medicine Health and Science at the University of Wollongong.

Read Linda Doherty and Duyen Nguyen's story in full.

3.10pm

Double success for Elizabeth Macarthur High HSC twins

By Billy Kos

Twin sisters Paige and Bronte Riley woke up to the news this morning that they had both achieved 90 per cent or higher in at least one subject, earning them a spot on this year’s HSC Distinguished Achievers list.

The Elizabeth Macarthur High School students were among 50 of their peers that contributed to the school’s impressive 91 entries on the Distinguished Achievers List across a range of subjects.

Paige and fellow student Olivia Jackson also made this year’s All-Rounders list for achieving a Band 6 or higher in six and seven subjects respectively.

And while the identical twins may look the same, they have chosen to pursue different paths, with Bronte hoping to study medicine and Paige returning to Elizabeth Macarthur High School next year to work as a School Learning Support Officer while she studies to become a high school PE teacher.

She is one of eight students in this year’s HSC cohort that are undertaking teaching studies and coming back to work at the school, where 13 current permanent teachers are also former students.

The sisters attribute their success to the support and guidance they have received from their teachers at Elizabeth Macarthur High School.

“The HSC has been stressful at times but also rewarding, and the school has believed in us and pushed us to be our best,” Paige said.

“Our teachers have made it an easy journey, with all the support they have provided us,” Bronte added.

Principal Kylie Hedger congratulated the school’s 2024 HSC cohort on its impressive results this year.

“I am immensely proud of all the students' outstanding results and all the work of teachers who supported this achievement,” Ms Hedger said.

“The breadth of the subjects they have achieved Band 6 in is testament to the wide variety of opportunities that public education offers students to excel.”

3.05pm

Epping Boys catch a rising tide to success

By Duyen Nguyen

Students and teachers at Epping Boys High School have celebrated more than just stellar ATARs as they also recognised the culture of support and teamwork that has contributed to their academic success.

Principal Jessica Schadel said this year’s cohort went above and beyond with collaboration as they set up an online community to share study notes, exchange tips and discuss work.

“I always tell students when the tide rises, the boats float, and that your success is in collaborations, not competition. For our school it means that when all of us do well, we do well,” Ms Schadel said.

Among the school’s nine All-Rounders, who scored the top band in all of their subjects, were Caleb Graham and Akshit Shrivastava.

They encouraged future HSC students to back themselves and know there was more beyond the classroom.

“The key thing I try to maintain is consistency and dedication. It’s important to not be discouraged by a bad mark or feel the pressure too much and foster a positive learning culture for yourself with things like sports and music,” Caleb said.

With both students looking to study Commerce and Law at university next year, Akshit knew all too well that the HSC journey could be challenging.

“Have faith in yourself and believe that every exam is worth it. Maintain your relationship and communication with the teachers and remember to keep moving forward,” Akshit said.

2.30pm

Team effort propels school upward

From a total 869 HSC courses completed, students at North Sydney Boys High School this year achieved Band 6s in two-thirds of the total, leading the selective school to perform better than any other NSW school for the second year running.

North Sydney Boys High School principal Brian Ferguson said the result reflected a school culture where everyone was important every single day.

“We have a true sense of camaraderie and a love of education at North Sydney Boys,” Mr Ferguson said.

“All our students, staff members and parents are committed to the best outcomes of each student.”

Mr Ferguson credited the commitment the entire HSC cohort showed as the reason behind the high results, which included nearly every boy getting at least one Band 6 in their results.

Read Jim Grifffiths' story in full.

2pm

Taree High students praised for 'resilience and commitment'

By Kerrie O'Connor

Taree High School is celebrating its class of ’24.

“We are incredibly proud,” Executive Principal of the Connected Communites school, Nigel Reece, said.

Mr Reece said a quarter of HSC students at the school were in the top two bands for subjects such as English Advanced, Visual Arts, Music 1 and Legal Studies and 60 per cent of students were in the top three bands, with strong performances in Mathematics Advanced, Drama, PDHPE and Society and Culture.

Four students also excelled in extension courses, securing the top two bands.

Top achievers include Ffion Davy, with an ATAR of 92.1, Violet Shepherd, Lachlan Murray, Nithara Weththasinghe, Cal Hook and Jacob Tang.

As NSW celebrates a record enrolment of Aboriginal students in Year 12, Mr Reece also praised the school’s students for their “resilience and commitment".

He said students were embracing diverse pathways, with 11 pursuing school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, TAFE or employment.

“These results reflect the incredible effort, resilience and support of our school community,” Mr Reece said.

Dux ready to re-enter classroom

She has just completed her HSC, but Taree High School dux and captain Ffion Davy is eager to make her way back to the classroom.

“I have nominated Ffion for the Department of Education’s Grow Your Own “Principal Choice” scholarship,” Executive Principal Nigel Reece said.

“She has been accepted into Charles Sturt University and intends to study PDHPE/Science Teaching.”

1.50pm

100% success rate a top-class effort by Hornsby Girls

Hornsby Girls High School class of 2024 secured a 100 per cent success rate in this year’s HSC results with every student at the school awarded at least one Band 6 – the highest level a student can achieve.

Principal Dr Justin Briggs was so proud of this year’s success, he yelled, “go Hornsby!” when he heard the results.

“To be the best-performing girls' school in the state is quite an honour,” he said.

There were 123 students who sat the HSC exams this year at Hornsby Girls High School and all of them appear on the Distinguished Achievers list, which recognises when a student achieves a band 6 result in one or more subjects. Band 6 is the highest possible band.

Read Kate Minogue's story in full.

1.10pm

Eddie Woo hails our top maths students

By Linda Doherty

Maths guru Eddie Woo has been blown away by the performance of NSW public schools in the four-unit Mathematics Extension 2 course.

Public school students led by Warren Song of James Ruse Agricultural High School took out nine of the top 10 places. Six of the top 10 studied at James Ruse, two at North Sydney Boys High and one at Normanhurst Boys High.

Mr Woo, leader of the department’s Mathematics Growth Team, said the results were amazing for the most difficult maths course.

“Mathematics Extension 2 requires students to grapple with sophisticated and abstract concepts, but even more than that it requires students to solve non-routine problems with creativity and insight,” Mr Woo said.

“Many of the questions that students must solve have no pre-set formula or algorithm; excelling in this course demonstrates that a student has such a deep understanding that they can apply it in unfamiliar situations.”

Warren Song also came second in Chemistry and his James Ruse classmate Joshua Paik was first in Physics and fourth in Mathematics Extension 2.

In Biology and Chemistry, public school students took seven of the top 10 places in both subjects.

In Society and Culture and Information Processes and Technology, public school students snapped up the first five places in both courses.

12.05pm

Merit lists: Our 2024 HSC top achievers

NESA has just published the HSC merit lists for 2024.

A reminder, there are four merit lists:

• First in Course
• Top Achievers in Course
• Distinguished Achievers
• All-round Achievers

You can check them all out on the NESA website.

11.20am

Journey at an end: Twins reflect on 13 years of schooling

For many, the HSC is the culmination of 13 years of schooling, but there are many pathways in life.

Earlier this week, the Sydney Morning Herald caught up with some rather special former Parklea Public School students to see what the last 13 years had brought about for them.

9.15am

‘I am just excited to get it’: Lily celebrates her HSC results

It was all smiles for Menai High student Lily Thompson this morning.

Lily was wide awake at 6am and logged into the online student portal to access her results.

Lily was school captain in 2024 and took part in numerous extracurricular activities, such as a Macquarie leadership course and participating in Menai’s Rtudent Representative Council.

She had strong results in her most difficult subjects – a band four for chemistry, a band four for physics, a band 5 for design and tech, a band 5 for advanced mathematics and an E3 for science extension.

Read the SMH story in full.

7.15am

It's a record! Celebrations as 70,000 students complete their HSC

Students, teachers and families across NSW are celebrating today, as Higher School Certificate (HSC) results land for students across the state this morning, including a record 69,962 attaining their HSC and another 9522 who have completed at least one HSC course.

The Class of 2024 are the largest cohort in NSW and Australian history, with 57,205 students eligible to receive an ATAR, and 18,430, or a quarter of students completing a VET course.

This year’s graduates have bright futures ahead, with 12 per cent of all course results in the top band, 42 per cent in the top two bands, and 74 per cent in the top three bands.

Yesterday, 131 students were recognised for achieving first place in their HSC course, while another 19,460 students have been recognised in Merit Lists today.

Some 1457 students have also featured on the All-round Achievers list, achieving results in the top band across 10 units of study, while 779 students were placed on the Top Achievers list for earning one or more of the top places, and a result in the highest band.

An impressive 19,591 students received at least one band six and have been recognised on the ‘Distinguished Achievers’ list – making this year the largest HSC honour roll in NSW history.

NSW public school students are also celebrating today as they mark the final day of Term 4, with teachers and school staff also set to put their pens down for a well-earned Christmas break at the end of the week.

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