Across the Diocese of Wollongong, the class of 2021 woke early today to find out their HSC marks and ATAR. Despite two years of disrupted learning due to COVID restrictions—including ten weeks of remote learning—and a delayed HSC exam period, the resilience, hard work and dedication of our Catholic school students has paid off.

More than a thousand students from our eight systemic Catholic secondary schools completed the HSC this year. 291 students were acknowledged as Distinguished Achievers, with a further four All-round Achievers, six Top Achievers, two of whom took out First in Course.

Wayne Marshall, Principal of John Therry Catholic College, Rosemeadow, said he is incredibly proud of the results achieved by the College's students in the face of significant challenges.

Located in Campbelltown—one of the LGAs of concern during the 2021 lockdown—John Therry students were subject to particularly tough restrictions in the lead up to the HSC exams.

“Not only have they achieved the best results in the College's history with 57 students achieving a Band 6, we also had students place first and second in the state for Visual Arts and several others make the Top Achievers list,” said Mr Marshall. 

"Every student, regardless of their results today, has demonstrated a real sense of purpose in persevering with their studies” — Wayne Marshall, Principal, John Therry Catholic College

Watch above to hear from Damien Pattinson, Academic Vice Captain of John Therry Catholic College, who attended the NSW Education Minister's press conference. 

The Director of Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong, Peter Hill, said it’s clear the challenges presented by COVID-19 over the last two years did not dull the spirits or the determination of the class of 2021.

“The resilience and tenacity shown by these Year 12 students and their teachers is truly inspiring,” he said. “Their commitment and dedication to their studies exemplify the qualities we are proud to see in our students. The class of 2021 has embodied the core values of Catholic education and we wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”

Kerrie Piatek, Principal of St Benedict's Catholic College, Oran Park, was excited to learn the College had received their very first 'top of the state' honour in a HSC subject, since opening in 2011. 

"St Benedict’s students should be very proud of their HSC results given the challenges that they faced throughout their HSC studies," she said. "We congratulate all students and acknowledge those students who have made the Distinguished Achievers List. We are also incredibly proud of our very first 'First in Course'- Lucrecia Carter - who placed first in Design and Technology."

"Year 12 - 2021, with the support of their teachers and support staff, worked together to bring out the very best in each other" —  Kerrie Piatek, Principal, St Benedict's Catholic College

HSC 'FIRST IN COURSE' LIST 

First in Course lists the student or students who achieve the highest HSC result in each course. A First in Course is only awarded if the result is in the highest band possible for that course.

HSC 'TOP ACHIEVERS' LIST

Top Achievers lists the students who have achieved one of the top places and a result in the highest band possible in one or more HSC courses. 

HSC 'ALL-ROUND ACHIEVERS' LIST 

All-Round Achievers lists the students who have achieved results in the highest band possible for at least 10 units of HSC courses. 

 HSC 'DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVERS'

Distinguished Achievers lists all students who received a result in the highest band possible for one or more courses.

Congratulations to the 291 Distinguished Achievers from our eight Catholic secondary schools, including:

• St Joseph’s Catholic High School, Albion Park

• Holy Spirit College, Bellambi

• Magdalene Catholic College, Narellan

• St John the Evangelist Catholic High School, Nowra

• Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Oak Flats

• St Benedict’s Catholic College, Oran Park

• John Therry Catholic College, Rosemeadow

• Mount Carmel Catholic College, Varroville 

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   On behalf of the teachers and staff at our Catholic schools and the Catholic Education Office, we would like to congratulate the class of 2021 for their outstanding achievements this year.