SOME of Narooma High School top HSC achievers gathered at school on Thursday to share their ATAR university entrance scores.
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Talk soon turned to what universities they were headed to and what careers they hoped to achieve.
“Our results are once again very pleasing and reflect the dedication and hard work put in by our students and staff,” principal Tony Fahey said.
Students who received band 6 (above 90 per cent) or equivalent results this year are: Meg Gill (PDHPE), Lachlan O’Neill and Chris Read (Legal Studies); Carl McEvoy (Industrial Technology – Timber) and Lucca Russo (notional band 6 Mathematics Extension 2).
Student who performed extremely well and received multiple band 5 results or equivalent (above 80 per cent) are: Max Carter (6), Nick Facchetti (3), Jay Walpole (6), Molly Wharfe (3), Isabelle Wallensky (2), Emily McManus (2), Ashleigh Avill (2) and Nathan Schaeffer (2).
“In total, 23 of the 55 students who sat the tests received at least one band 5 or higher result,” Mr Fahey said.
“Of our 25 subjects offered we had two subjects, Senior Science and PDHPE significantly above State average, 10 subjects at or just above State average.
“While some of the subjects below State average were subjects with small candidatures.
“All in all I am pleased with our results and as has been the case for many years we continue to provide students with the opportunities to shine and for a small rural high school the HSC success is always something that amazes me.
“I am very proud of all our students, not just those who have achieved bands 5 & 6 as some of our students have overcome disadvantage to complete their HSC.
“I wish them all the very best for the years to come.”
Students have careers in mind
While the principal and school have to wait to hear from the students themselves what their ATAR entrance scores area, a group of Year 12 graduates gathered to share their scores.
The highest ATAR score of those present was Luca Russo with 87.15 and plans to study engineering at either the University of Sydney or the University of NSW, hopefully doing well enough in the first year to be accepted into the aerospace engineering courses.
Not far behind was Jay Walpole with a score of 86.5 and he plans to get a commerce degree but he’s not sure at what university yet.
Nick Facchetti got an ATAR score of 83.35 and plans on studying mechanical engineering at the University of Wollongong.
Meg Gill got a score of 79.3 and also a band 6 in Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE), beating Jay who got a band 5.
She received early entry to study primary school teaching at the University of Wollongong and also has a Teach Rural NSW scholarship that guarantees her a school placement after graduation.
Tathra Daley meanwhile also got an early placement to the University of Wollongong to study nursing, but her plans allow her to stay in the area as she will be attending the Bega campus.
The DUX or top achiever at Narooma High School won’t be determined until the HSC marks and ATAR scores are combined and averaged out.
But at the Presentation Day last week, Amy Spurgeon received the Dux of the Year award for 2013, while Jay Walpole and Max Carter shared the University of Wollongong Year 12 Award for 2014.
Jay and Max were also named the recipients of the Lighthouse Surgery Scholarship for 2014.
Public school HSC results tell story
Solid results achieved by Higher School Certificate students at public schools have been praised by Public Schools NSW Relieving Executive Director, Graham Kahabka.
Mr Kahabka congratulated students who received their results today and wished them well for the future.
“We are already hearing of some outstanding results and some wonderful personal achievements,” Mr Kahabka said.
“The HSC results are again demonstrating that our local public schools can equip students to achieve up with the top students in the state.
“Our local public schools have the care and commitment to nurture and encourage every student to fulfil their personal goals and ambitions by helping them to achieve sound educational outcomes.”
Mr Kahabka commended the outstanding results recorded at public schools across the area.
Eleven students were included on the prestigious All-Rounders list for students who gained top band results in 10 or more units, including two each from Albury High and Nowra High as well as six from Wollongong’s Smiths Hill High.
In the local area this included Angela Stoddard from Bega High School.
Mr Kahabka said he was confident that the latest crop of public school HSC graduates was well-equipped for further study, work and life.
“Many of our students are already well set on their chosen pathway,” he said.
“Whether it is by being awarded early entry at university, securing an apprenticeship or traineeship, establishing themselves in employment or feeling assured that the results they received yesterday will enable them to meet their goals, our students finish 13 years of schooling ready to take the next step.”
Mr Kahabka said it was pleasing to hear from schools about students who were the first in their family to complete school through to the HSC.
“This is a proud moment for these students and their families,” he said.
“Having this well-recognised credential offers assurance of improved life outcomes and a great model to encourage other family members to make the most of educational opportunities.”