The results are in and many Highlands students are celebrating their achievements.
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Some were relying on the result to gain a place in a certain course, some were merely curious as they had already attained Early Entry places or didn’t need an ATAR for their chosen field. Others were happy it was all over.
The seven high schools – Bowral High School, Moss Vale High School, Southern Highlands Christian School, Frensham, Oxley College, Chevalier College and St Paul’s International School – shared a mix of top ATARS, top 10 in subjects and an impressive number gained Bands 5 and 6.
At Oxley College, William Lamrock-George awoke to his friends congratulating him for making it onto the NSW Premier’s All-Rounder list – for students who achieve a Band 6 mark (or E4 for extension subjects) across 10 or more units.
“I didn’t think I’d get on to the list, so I didn’t even bother checking,” he said.
“While I received a 96.55 ATAR result, I’ve applied for a distance education course at Charles Sturt University so I can take a half-GAP year. I’m really interested in eventing, and I have a horse I want to bring up to grade next year.”
Oxley College teachers were also pleased, having gained a ranking of 63rd in the state – up from 89th last year.
At Chevalier College, two students made it onto the All-Rounders list – Bridget Shirlow, with an ATAR of 98.3, and Harry Fenton, who achieved an ATAR of 98.55.
“I’m really pleased and surprised with my result, I guess it shows that hard work pays off,” Harry said.
“I’m planning on studying law and international relations at Australian National University [Canberra].”
Chevalier student Eyob Geist achieved VET student of the Year for hospitality in the Workplace Learning Southern Highlands experience in vocational education and training awards.
At Frensham, three students were ranked in as the top 10 students in NSW: Mimi Wylie came eighth in Design and Technology, Abbey O’Regan came tenth in the same subject, and Anna Horton came tenth in Agriculture. Frensham’s median ATAR was 88.4.
Students Amelia Vidler and Madeleine Conomos both woke from bad dreams to receive their marks.
“I had a dream that I had gone really badly,” Amelia said.
“I haven’t been able to sleep for the past two nights,” Madeleine said.
Both agreed the year was less stressful than expected.
“Our year was pretty good at keeping us calm throughout.”
Most students at St Paul’s International College undertook an International Baccalaureate (IB), an alternative to the Higher School Certificate. Students are awarded a grade point average (GPA) out of 10.
The school captain Benjamin Koh achieved a perfect 10 in the science stream, which means he achieved an A+ in every subject. Martin He and Jamie Wong also did well with GPAs of 8.5 and 8.4 respectively.
Head of school Andrew Laing said all teachers were extremely proud of the students achievements.
“All of our students have strived to do their best,” he said.
At Moss Vale High School, student Dominque Palmer was ranked 5th in NSW for her achievements in Human Services.
Other distinguised achievers were Charlotte Fitzgerald, Gabrielle Middleton and Laura Mulcahy for Music 1, Alexander Allen for Industrial Technology, and Brenda Garske and Sienna Harvey for Mathematics General 2.
Southern Highlands Christian School principal Andrew Middleton said many students exceeded their own goals and expectations.
“In this modern era of early entry, pathways programs and the like, many students had their future directions mapped out and confirmed before results came out,” he said.
“We had some outstanding results in a large cross section of subject areas, and I couldn’t have asked for better.”
The Southern Highland News office is still waiting for results from the remaining schools.
