Students, teachers and staff have been on cloud nine after finding out their school this year outperformed all the other schools in region, private and public.

Principal Tony Fahey said of the 49 students sitting their HSC this year, 21 scored more than 90 per cent or a band 6 in one of their subjects, while 18 of 27 subjects sat by Narooma students attained results above the state average, in many cases by more than 3 percentage points. 

Narooma High outperformed much larger schools such as Ulladulla that for example had 108 Year 12s bringing home only 26 band sixes, or even the Eurobodalla private schools that each only scored a handful.

“I am very proud and we are all absolutely blown away,” the principal said.

“I have been here since 2001 and we’ve had some great results but there has not been a year group that has performed so well across the board and as a group they have really achieved something outstanding.”

In relation to student results, 13 students achieved at least one band 6 in their subjects, two students achieved three band 6 results and three students achieved two band 6 results.

And 22 students achieved more than one band 5 result among their subjects.

The music and drama classes had three band 6s each, while the Advanced English class saw all but one of its 15 students attain a band 5 score of between 80 and 90 per cent.

“This is a truly outstanding performance!” Mr Fahey said of all the results.

“When I spoke at the formal I said I anticipated that this group would do something special but what they have achieved is even beyond my expectations.”

Students who achieved band 6 results were Clare Aston, Zeph Gabriel-McLean, Josh Hurren, Tamara Kenny, Daniel Lawson, Kira Omernik, Lewis Robertson, Olivia Saul, Bob Sheridan-Gimmel, Daniel Simson, Siobhan Threlfall, Darrie Wyndham, Maia Zucco and Amy Spurgeon. 

Mr Fahey also congratulated Accelerated Mathematics students Amy Spurgeon, Annie Tyler and Connor Ross on their HSC result.

Getting the top Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) at Narooma High was Daniel Lawson, who scored 96.5 and two band 6s in Biology and Mathematics.

Daniel hopes to study veterinary science and already has an interview with Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga lined up.

He has been working local vet Dr Alan Fridley who has been an inspiration and he too wants to start a regional practice where he can work on animals large and small. 

Tamara Kenny of Bodalla scored three band 6s in the subjects of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Legal Studies and Extension History.

Mr Fahey recognised her as one of the top-performing indigenous students in the region and Tamara said she hopes to study law on her way to becoming a barrister.

Darrie Wyndham was the other student who got three band 6s and her subjects were Ancient History, Drama and Music.

One of the Year 12s who couldn’t make it was Siobhan Threlfall, who also scored a band 6 in Drama and an ATAR of 91.55. She was also awarded the school drama shield this year.

Proud mum Deb said her daughter was away on a family holiday in Kenya with cousins after saving up to pay for the holiday herself.

Stunning results as cuts threaten

The news of Narooma’s fantastic results came one week after a spirited forum on proposed NSW Government budget cuts organised by the P&C associations of both Narooma schools and local teachers.

Narooma Teachers Association president Christa Mood said the excellent results achieved this year were a combination of many things. 

“Firstly, an outstanding cohort of Year 12 students who worked hard and supported each other throughout the year, their experienced, dedicated teachers and the parents and community who value the public schools in this area which was demonstrated at last Friday's public education forum,” she said.

“Another contributing factor is the excellent HSC Tutoring Program and other support programs offered at Narooma High. 

“These have been in place for many years and have contributed to elevating the results of many year 12 students. 

“I am concerned these programs and many others could be axed in the current $1.7 billion cuts proposed by the O’Farrell government.”

Relieving director-general of the Department of Education and Communities, Pam Christie last week congratulated NSW public school students for their outstanding results in this year’s Higher School Certificate. 

“The achievements of our students right across New South Wales make us very proud, particularly as they were achieved from among more than 70,000 candidates who sat the 2012 HSC,” Ms Christie said.

“Public school students gained 67 of the 124 New South Wales Board of Studies First in Course places, with six First in Course places going to TAFE NSW students. 

“Results in maths and science are particularly notable, with first places in Chemistry, Physics, Maths Extension 1, and Maths Extension 2. 

“Public school students also achieved more than 50 per cent of first places in language subjects. 

“Regional public schools were strongly represented, with eight First in Course places, and comprehensive (non-selective) schools achieving an outstanding 23 places on the First in Course list. 

“TAFE NSW students have also achieved remarkably well, as have the public selective schools. 

“These results show that the state’s public education system is producing top academic achievers regardless of where a student chooses to study. 

“The hard work of our teachers and staff cannot be overlooked in the outstanding results of HSC 2012, so I would like to thank them for their efforts in helping all students achieve their best. 

“The support and encouragement provided by family and friends to HSC students also needs to be acknowledged, because this too would have been an important influence on the final results.”