More than 130 exceptional students were recently celebrated for their outstanding achievements at the HSC (Higher School Certificate) awards ceremony, marking yet another milestone for New South Wales’ educational excellence. Held at the University of New South Wales, this year’s event honored students who excelled across various subjects, with four students receiving accolades for topping multiple courses.
Among the top achievers was Abigail Barfield, who has shown remarkable resilience after suffering a traumatic brain injury during her high school years. The Pymble Ladies College student excelled in Aboriginal Studies, illustrating not only her academic prowess but also her determination to overcome personal health challenges. "I was determined to push through things and come out with no regrets," Abigail shared, highlighting her ambition to study medicine focusing on neuroscience.
Abigail’s achievement is part of the broader recognition of over 130 students across 82 schools who received top awards for their performance. The HSC results this year reveal impressive outcomes with four talented students standing out by topping more than one subject and 33 sharing equal first ranks.
Another student who gained attention was Thomas Collins from Sydney Grammar School, who ranked first in both Chinese Extension and French Extension. Thomas’s love for these languages blossomed unintentionally when he opted to learn Chinese to accompany a friend. Surprisingly, his passion for the language grew, leading him to embrace the challenges of learning thousands of characters without any prior Chinese background. He expressed, "I just really grew to love the subject, the language, the culture." Now envisioning his future, Thomas aims for a double degree in Law and Arts at the University of New South Wales with plans of pursuing international work, combining his passion for languages and cultural exchanges.
Grace Costigan, another standout achiever from St Columba’s Catholic College, dedicated countless early mornings to writing her major work for the highest-level English course, even delivering a stunning 6000-word narrative titled "Claude". Her story captures complex human emotions, exploring deep themes of love and loss. Grace noted the rewarding experience, saying, "Handing it in was bittersweet. It felt like a huge milestone." The literary work drew inspiration from Australian literature, particularly from the likes of Tim Winton and Peter Temple, establishing her as the top achiever for English Extension 2.
The diversity of subjects represented among the top achievers at this year’s HSC reveals the unique talents and interests of students across the state, with awards being garnered from advanced science to creative arts and languages. Students from academically selective schools, such as Sydney Grammar, claimed numerous awards, with Sydney Grammar taking home the most wins, recognized for its performance across multiple subjects including economics and ancient history.
Other top-performing students like Warren Song from James Ruse Agricultural High School topped the mathematics extension 2, sharing how he enjoys the creative aspects of problem-solving within the subject. Likewise, Anubhav Ammangi, who is also from Redeemer Baptist School, excelled, achieving top positions in both chemistry and software development, reflecting his early fascination with mathematics and problem-solving.
The awards ceremony captured the essence of hard work, dedication, and perseverance, particularly from students who overcame personal hurdles. "When I arrived here five years ago from Iraq, I spoke no English," recalled Asteer Saleem, who achieved equal first place in Arabic Extension. Asteer’s determination to excel after facing educational disadvantages highlighted her success story, showcasing the tremendous growth she achieved by switching to courses aligned with her passions.
On the opposite end, the vocational courses showcased students' practical skills, like Cooper Knowles from St John Bosco College, who topped the Construction Examination due to his love for hands-on learning and craftsmanship, showcasing the benefits of practical vocational education.
Across various schools, the competition was fierce, with notable representation from public, Catholic, and independent schools, reflecting the broad spectrum of talent throughout the state. The final tally showed public schools winning 26 awards, specialist language schools 29, Catholic systemic schools 13, and independent schools 67, marking another successful year for education across New South Wales.
More than 79,400 students waited to receive their HSC results, with the anticipation palpable as many wondered whether their efforts would yield the results they hoped for. Reports indicated students would begin receiving results via SMS and email, heightening the excitement associated with their long-awaited outcomes. Collins conveyed his feelings of anxiety, stating, "I’m a bit nervous like everyone across the state, I’m hopeful my work will have paid off, but I’ll just have to wait and see."
The event encapsulated not only the individual achievements but also served to inspire countless high school students across the region, presenting stories of resilience, passion, and ultimate success. With ATARs (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) being released shortly thereafter, aspiring university students now prepare for the next phase of their educational journeys, armed with recognition and experience from their triumphs during the HSC.
