Posted 13 December 2018 by Catholic Education in News
More than 900 students from our eight systemic Catholic schools across the Diocese of Wollongong were up early today to receive their HSC marks. Our students’ hard work and dedication has paid off, with many achieving remarkable results - including one First in Course, three All Round Achievers and 120 Distinguished Achievers.
Director of Schools, Peter Turner, congratulated all students who have concluded their secondary schooling by completing the Higher School Certificate this year.
“We are immensely proud of all our students and the successes they have achieved, many of which were in the face of significant adversity,” Mr Turner said.
“These results highlight the strength of character and determination possessed by so many of our young people. We acknowledge the valuable contribution of the parents and teachers who worked hard, and in partnership together, to support and encourage students to achieve their goals” - Peter Turner, Director of Schools
Mr Turner said the HSC formed part of a broader educational journey for the students.
“Our Catholic schools combine growth in faith with improvement in learning to ensure that students are prepared for life beyond school. These pleasing HSC results reflect the reality that students can continue that journey with increased choice and direction. I am confident that the experiences and learning opportunities over the past 13 years of formal schooling have prepared students well, as they continue their journey into the next stage of their lives,” he said.
HSC 'First in Course' List
Congratulations to Mount Carmel Catholic College, Varroville student, Grace Roodenrys, who placed first in the state in HSC English (Advanced).
Grace has been recognised on the 2018 HSC First in Course merit list, announced yesterday at a special ceremony in Sydney.
The seventeen-year-old said she was initially in “disbelief” that she had beaten all other students to take out the English Advanced course.
“I’m pretty elated, to tell you the truth. It was a little bit difficult to fathom at first but I sacrificed and put so much time into my studies that it is a great gratification for hard work,” she said.
The Bradbury resident said she was proud to have shone a light on the efforts of western Sydney students.
“There can be a perception out there that no matter how well you do in western Sydney, there’s always going to be 20 people from inner city schools who are better than you. This just proves with hard work and dedication, that’s not the case. I put in 12 months of really vigorous work and discipline - five or six hours of study a night - and that effort paid off.”
Mount Carmel Senior Pastoral Coordinator, Rocco Badolato, said it came as no surprise that Grace had performed so exceptionally in this year’s HSC.
“Grace established herself as an enthusiastic learner from very early in her time at Mount Carmel, and developed an identity as a conscientious student from her junior years. She was able to manage her demanding pattern of study this year alongside her role as a Senior Leader on the College Student Representative Council, overseeing the Portfolio of Academic Life in the College,” he said.
“Grace has illustrated throughout her HSC journey that perseverance, resilience and consistent hard work are ingredients that are fundamental to achieving success” - Rocco Badolato, Senior Pastoral Coordinator, Mount Carmel Catholic College
“These attributes, coupled with the quality teaching and nurturing support received from the College, has provided a genuine blueprint for creating an aspirational culture of academic excellence and striving for personal best.”
Grace's advice to next year’s HSC students is that they need to “be prepared to do the work” and “challenge themselves” to achieve great results.
“To use a sporting analogy, if you’re lifting the same weight every day, you’re not going to get any better or make an improvements,” she said. “You have to keep upping the ante and challenging yourself – that’s the only way you will improve.”
Grace plans to undertake a double-degree in Law and Arts at the University of Sydney and use her writing skills in her future career.
HSC 'All-Round Achievers' List
All Round Achievers are students who achieved a result in the highest band possible (Band 6 for a course, or in the case of extension courses, Band E4) in 10 or more units of courses in their pattern of study.
Congratulations to our three students who have been named on the 2018 HSC All-Round Achievers list:
Jackson Gunn - Mount Carmel Catholic College, Varroville
Grace Roodenrys - Mount Carmel Catholic College, Varroville
Maddison Saysanavongpheth - Magdalene Catholic High School, Narellan
Not only did Grace Roodenrys excel in her English(Advanced) course, she also had outstanding success across the breadth of her subjects - named as one of this year’s HSC All Round Achievers for achieving the top band in all her subjects: Business Studies; English (Advanced); English Extension 1; English Extension 2; Modern History; and Studies of Religion II.
She joins fellow Mount Carmel Catholic College, Varroville student, Jackson Gunn, who has also been named on the All Round Achievers list. He received top band marks in Chemistry; English (Standard); Mathematics Extension 1; Mathematics Extension 2; Physics; and Visual Arts.
Mount Carmel Senior Pastoral Coordinator, Rocco Badolato, commended Jackson for his success, especially with the added challenge of maintaining an academic pattern of study alongside the completion of his major works for Visual Art.
"Grace and Jackson both share a genuine love of learning and this was a key ingredient in their excellent achievements as their passion for their subject matter often provided the enthusiasm to do more," he said.
“Another characteristic shared by both students was their investment of time and effort devoted to their learning. They consistently made smart use of their time at the College, then supplemented this with a high work ethic away from school, devoting many hours of private study and effort into their assessment tasks.”
Maddison Saysanavongpheth from Magdalene Catholic High School, Narellan was also named as an All Round Achiever. Maddison excelled in English (Advanced); English Extension 1; Modern History; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; Studies of Religion I; and Visual Arts.
The Macarthur teenager said she was proud of how she’d managed her Year 12 HSC experience.
“I almost forgot the results were coming out today - I didn’t get too caught up in the waiting game, I’ve been getting on with my post-school life! I knew I’d had a really balanced year and I’d done my best, so I felt good about it," she said.
“It was never about the marks for me, it was about character development and building skills around time management, organisation and things like that. I knew that if I worked on getting those things right, the results would follow” - Maddison Saysanavongpheth, Magdalene student and HSC 2018 All Round Achiever
Follow, they did - in impressive fashion.
“When I saw the text this morning at 6am, it was great, I was really happy. My hands were shaking a little from that kind of little adrenaline rush you get with finding out the good news. I sat on the kitchen bench just waiting for my parents to wake up because I knew they’d be just as excited for me, if not more so! And they were, my mum was stoked and dad, I haven’t seen him so happy in a long time. It was a really good feeling,” she said.
Magdalene Principal, Matt McMahon, commended Maddison on her result and said it was a fitting recognition for all her hard work.
“We are absolutely delighted with Maddison’s performance; she has done very well. Maddison is a very talented student, especially in the arts and writing," he said.
"Throughout the year, Maddison has superbly balanced her studies with her leadership responsibilities as School Captain and generously given back to the school and wider community. Being named on the All Rounder list is a fantastic way for her talents across the board to be recognised" - Matt McMahon, Magdalene Principal
We spoke to Maddison today from Western Sydney University where she is participating in the university’s Global Leaders Program and already preparing for her tertiary studies ahead. She will next year begin her double degree in International Studies and Law at WSU, where she hopes to broaden her knowledge of international relations and different cultural perspectives.
“It’s really exciting, I’m looking forward to it. There’s so much I want to learn. I hope it leads me to one day working for the United Nations, that would be amazing. I have a particular interest in sustainable development, so I’d like to pursue that.”
HSC 'Distinguished Achievers' List
From our eight schools across the Diocese, there are 120 students on the 2018 HSC Distinguished Achievers list who achieved a total of 219 top band results.
The Distinguished Achievers list names the students who achieved a result in the highest band possible (Band 6 for a course, or in the case of extension courses, Band E4) for one or more of their courses.
Congratulations to the following students, who achieved a Band 6 or E4 in the listed subjects:
St Joseph’s Catholic High School, Albion Park |
|
Lleyton Callaway |
Biology; Chemistry; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; Studies of Religion I |
Teresa Carter |
Biology; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education |
Ryan Castles |
Studies of Religion I |
Toumanda Fohrman |
Aboriginal Studies |
Jacob Nunes |
Mathematics |
Holy Spirit College, Bellambi |
|
Michael Borg |
Mathematics |
Isabella Bosevski |
Studies of Religion I |
Erin Carter |
Music 1 |
Curtis Charlesworth |
English Extension 1 |
Olivia Cleal |
Modern History; Music 1; Studies of Religion I |
Sean Collyer |
Biology |
Holly Colquhoun |
Studies of Religion I |
Holly Crapis |
Community and Family Studies; Mathematics General 2 |
Riley Graham |
Modern History |
Kiara Johnston |
Community and Family Studies |
Zachary Lopresti |
Music 1 |
Ellie Mavromattis |
Ancient History |
Emma Parrish |
Ancient History; Studies of Religion I |
Johnathan Passaliokis |
Modern Greek Beginners |
Ebony Petre |
Community and Family Studies; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education |
Jade Radjevic |
Modern History; Studies of Religion I |
Lachlan Todd |
Music 1 |
Amy Townsend |
Ancient History |
Shamiran Turnbull |
Mathematics General 2 |
Tyla Van Duin |
Music 1 |
Alyssa Zanotto |
Mathematics General 2 |
Magdalene Catholic High School, Narellan |
|
Lauren Avero |
Design and Technology |
Jeramyah Beauchamp |
Music 1 |
Charlotte Bendtsen |
Community and Family Studies; Hospitality (Kitchen Operations and Cookery) |
Lauren Bertolissio |
Community and Family Studies; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education |
Renae Bligh |
Community and Family Studies |
Connor Henderson |
Construction |
Elisabeth Kelly |
Mathematics General 2; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; Studies of Religion II; Textiles and Design |
Michaela Madrill |
Legal Studies; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education |
Brittney McCrorey |
Business Studies; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education |
Dione Miller |
Community and Family Studies; English (Standard); Personal Development, Health and Physical Education |
Julia Musico |
Ancient History; Community and Family Studies; Studies of Religion II |
Kaitlin O'Sullivan |
Mathematics Extension 1 |
Maddison Saysanavongpheth |
English (Advanced); English Extension 1; Modern History; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; Studies of Religion I; Visual Arts |
Brandon Shaw |
Mathematics |
Annalise Smalley |
Design and Technology |
Luke Summers |
Mathematics |
Siobhan Suters |
Biology; Mathematics; Mathematics Extension 1; Studies of Religion I |
Sarah Vella |
Business Studies; English (Standard); Music 1 |
Bianca Zepina |
English (Standard) |
St John the Evangelist Catholic High School, Nowra |
|
Madelyn Beahan |
Society and Culture |
Hannah Brookes |
Drama |
Fiona-Lucia Edwards |
Visual Arts |
Jack Flamminio |
Industrial Technology |
Natasha Guinery |
Studies of Religion I |
Lucy Hadfield |
Drama |
Dongzhu Huang |
Mathematics; Software Design and Development |
Sophia Jackson |
Mathematics |
Reid Keevers |
Industrial Technology |
Cameron Latta |
Mathematics Extension 1 |
Bryan Lee |
Music 1 |
April Mallon |
Studies of Religion I |
Emma McDonald |
Biology; English (Advanced); Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; Studies of Religion II |
Briony Munro |
Biology; English (Advanced); Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; Studies of Religion I |
Greta Noack |
Visual Arts |
Polly Noack |
Mathematics General 2 |
Isabella Pakes |
Biology; Chemistry; English (Advanced); Mathematics |
Eleanor Petricevic |
Ancient History; Drama; English Extension 1 |
Jack Reminis |
Mathematics General 2 |
India Richardson-Thornton |
Biology; Studies of Religion I; Indonesian Continuers |
Samantha Vella |
Drama; Society and Culture |
Maya Willis |
Ancient History; Indonesian Continuers |
Corpus Christi Catholic High School, Oak Flats |
|
Flynn Bethke |
Mathematics General 2; German Beginners |
Jasmin Habib |
Visual Arts |
Cobe Klenke |
Mathematics |
Tiahn Makin |
Community and Family Studies |
Cassidy Morris |
Community and Family Studies |
Jacob Mudge |
Mathematics General 2 |
Georgia Weir |
Business Studies; Legal Studies |
Jesse Williams |
Mathematics; Physics |
St Benedict’s Catholic COLLEGE, Oran Park |
|
Rajpreet Bajwa |
English Extension 1 |
Madeline Bell |
Industrial Technology |
Maddison Crawford |
English (Advanced); Legal Studies; Modern History; History Extension; Studies of Religion I |
Brooke Daley |
Legal Studies |
Mikayla Gauci |
Community and Family Studies; Design and Technology |
Olivia Kavanagh |
Community and Family Studies |
Mäe Harrison |
Studies of Religion I; Visual Arts |
Sophia Marquez |
Design and Technology |
Caitlin Mullins |
Community and Family Studies; Design and Technology |
Annaliese Pennings |
Community and Family Studies; History Extension; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education |
Annabella Thorpe |
Design and Technology; English (Advanced); English Extension 1; History Extension; |
Elyse Triantis |
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; Studies of Religion I |
Paryss Tully |
Visual Arts |
John Therry Catholic High School, Rosemeadow |
|
Katia Aguilar |
Entertainment Industry |
Alexandra Cooper |
Modern History |
Danielle Dalangin-Avery |
Visual Arts |
Jacinta D'Cunha |
Studies of Religion II; Visual Arts |
Ashmy Joy |
Senior Science |
Britney Moon |
Biology; Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; Senior Science |
Tayla Moon |
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education; Senior Science |
Declan Ou Yong |
Mathematics |
MOUNt Carmel Catholic College, Varroville |
|
Maria Abdelmessih |
Biology; Mathematics |
Biance Alberto |
Visual Arts |
Jean Alda |
Ancient History; English (Advanced); Visual Arts |
Christopher Altre |
Biology; English (Standard); Music 1 |
Marta Botticini |
Italian Continuers; Spanish Beginners |
Emily Delauney |
Mathematics General 2 |
Jonathan Duong |
Music 1 |
Kirsten Fajardo |
English (Standard) |
Sophie Fatrouni |
English (Standard) |
Crystal Garcia |
English (Advanced) |
Jackson Gunn |
Chemistry; English (Standard); Mathematics Extension 1; Mathematics Extension 2; Physics; Visual Arts |
Jessica Howieson |
Visual Arts |
Ellen Jackson |
Community and Family Studies; Hospitality (Kitchen Operations and Cookery) |
Dimiana Kaloush |
Community and Family Studies |
Pierre Lingat |
English (Advanced); English Extension 1; English Extension 2; Modern History |
Christina Miralles |
Ancient History; English (Advanced); English Extension 1; History Extension; Visual Arts |
Melina Morabito |
Community and Family Studies |
Nidhi Paalpare |
Modern History; Music 1 |
Rameses Reyes |
Chemistry; English (Advanced); Mathematics Extension 1; Mathematics Extension 2; Studies of Religion I |
Grace Roodenrys |
Business Studies; English (Advanced); English Extension 1; English Extension 2; Modern History; Studies of Religion II |
Kieren Russell |
Mathematics; Mathematics Extension 1 |
Tara Van Den Nieuwenhuizen |
Music 1 |
Lachlan Walsh |
Studies of Religion I |
Samuel Williamson |
Biology; Mathematics; Senior Science |
Congratulations to all our students who completed their HSC this year.
Visit the NESA website for more information on the 2018 HSC results & merit lists.