NSW public students have secured almost 45 per cent of all HSC First in Course awards today.

NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar congratulated all First in Course recipients, with special mention to students from the public sector.

“It is an incredible achievement to be the best in the state in any subject. It’s recognition of your commitment to your studies, your resilience and also the support of your teachers, school leaders and families,” Mr Dizdar said.

NSW public schools secured 56 First in Course awards across the 123 subjects on offer, with James Ruse Agricultural, Baulkham Hills, North Sydney Boys and Sydney Girls high schools all securing multiple First in Course places.

Mr Dizdar said he was pleased by the strong performance of local high schools in Sydney and regional NSW, with 14 of the 25 public schools represented in the ceremony comprehensive high schools.

Abigail Mathew, from Macquarie Fields High School, shared first place in Studies of Religion I, the first time a student from the secular public system has topped this course for 12 years.

The department’s language schools again dominated, with the NSW School of Languages and Secondary College of Languages combining to top 25 of the language courses.

With all HSC VET courses now counting towards student ATARs for the first time, Mr Dizdar said it was impressive to see public schools strongly represented at the ceremony.

“We have had an almost nine per cent lift in public students doing VET subjects this year, which highlights the value students are placing on gaining nationally recognised qualifications while still at school to set them up for successful post-school careers and study,” he said.