Diocese records outstanding results in 2014 HSC

Photo credit: Anna Warr

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Parramatta has seen some exceptional results in the 2014 Higher School Certificate (HSC) with a number of schools making significant improvements in their overall results.

More than 2,800 students from the Diocese sat for the 2014 HSC from 76,679 across NSW.

On 16 December, the students who placed First in Course for their subjects were acknowledged by the NSW Minister for Education, Adrian Piccoli MP, at a ceremony in Sydney. The Diocese had three students who made the prestigious list.

Executive Director of Schools, Greg Whitby, congratulated the students and teachers on the impressive results.

‘We are proud of the overall improvement our schools are showing in the HSC. The Diocese is committed to driving improvement in learning and teaching and these results are a testament to the collective efforts of students, their families and teachers over the last 13 years.’

Schools top achievers

Sixteen students from across the Diocese were named on the state’s HSC Top Achievers list for 2014. The Top Achievers in a Course lists the students who have achieved a top band score in their course and placed in the top 20 in the state.

Parramatta Marist High School Westmead has seen their highest number of students achieve Band 6 results in a course with 96 students being named on the HSC Distinguished Achievers. The school was listed at 42 in the Sydney Morning Herald’s top 100 schools in the state for the HSC.

Two students placed on the HSC Top Achievers in a Course List for achieving a top band score in their course and placing in the top 20 in the state.  Joel Domingo achieved fifth in Industrial Technology and Bradley Murphy placed eighth in Studies of Religion I. Damien Abood, Peter Francis, Zachary Jones, Nicholas Marston, Andre Nunez, Vishal Parikh and Vincent Tran made the HSC All-Round Achievers list with results in the top band possible for 10 or more units of courses.

Gilroy Catholic College, Castle Hill are very pleased with their results with three students named on the Top Achievers list. Katie Abela placed first in Mathematics General 2, Claudia Palic placed 15th in Ancient History and Thomas Patterson placed fourth in Business Studies.

Claudia Palic also was named on the HSC All-Round Achiever’s list for achieving Band 6 results in at least 10 HSC units and 45 students made the HSC Distinguished Achievers list for placing in the top band for one or more courses.

Gilroy’s Principal, Cheryl Merryweather said the 2014 cohort have achieved exceptional HSC results.

‘These results reflect the strong learning partnership between staff and students over their six years at the college,’ said Cheryl.

St Mark’s Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens had two students named on the Top Achievers list. Jasmine Spencer placed fourth in Senior Science and Clarissa Marchand equal 10th in Business Services Examination. Jasmine was also named on the HSC All-Round Achievers list and eight students made the Distinguished Achievers list.

St Mark’s  Acting Principal, Jayne Campbell said the community is thrilled with the performance of their students.

‘We are exceptionally proud of the performance of our third HSC class and the teachers who have worked tirelessly to build a culture of success and self-belief in all our students,’ Jayne said.

Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown student Adam Boidin was named on the Top Achievers list, placing second in English Extension 2. He also made the HSC All-Round Achievers list for achieving Band 6 results in at least 10 HSC units along with Jordan Cruice. 20 students were also named on the Distinguished Achievers list.

Patrican Brothers’ Principal, Santo Passarello said the school has a proud tradition of success in the HSC.

‘In 2014 we again have two students that have achieved straight Band 6 results, placing them on the merit list,’ said Santo. ‘Adam and Jordan are two exceptional young men, who deserve their success. Their families are very proud of them as is the entire school community.’

Cerdon College, Merrylands have recorded impressive results in 2014. Two students were named on the Top Achievers list, Jessica Hasbany placed first in Business Services Examination and Jasmina Barakat placed 10th in the same course. Students Regie Anne Gardoce and Jacqueline Nguyen made the All-Round Achievers list for achieving Band 6 results in at least 10 HSC units and 56 students were named on the Distinguished Achievers list.

Cerdon College were pleased with their results across the board with 82.1 percent of students achieving Band 4, Band 5 and Band 6 results with particularly strong results in English (Advanced), History Extension, Drama, Business Services, Visual Arts and Modern History.

‘The record for HSC achievement by all students at Cerdon College comes down to the fact that students learn in a vibrant, dynamic and positive school culture where personal excellence is embraced,’ said Cerdon’s Principal, Patricia Baker.

Lachlan Hallab from St Pauls Catholic College, Greystanes placed 12th in Mathematics General 2 and was named on the Top Achievers list. He also made the All-Round Achievers list along with student Clinton Tran. Nineteen students were named on the Distinguished Achievers list for placing in the top band for one or more courses.

Bede Polding College, Windsor South had 30 students named on the Distinguished Achievers list. Student Jamon Daniel Windeyer placed 13th in Legal Studies placing him on the Top Achievers list, and he was also named on the All-Rounders list for achieving results in the top band possible for 10 or more units of courses.

Joshua Hauville from Xavier College, Llandilo placed 11th in Modern History and was named on the Top Achievers list, with 10 students from the school also making the Distinguished Achievers list.

Asha Dhieu from Emmaus Catholic Collge, Kemps Creek was named on the Top Achievers list for placing equal 10th in Business Services Examination with fellow Parramatta Diocese students, Clariss Marchand and Jasmina Barakat. Emmaus also had 11 students named on the Distinguished Achievers list.

St Patrick’s Marist College, Dundas is very impressed with their results. Sonia Szarycz placed first in Polish HSC Continuers and Vaughn Vincent Majoor placed second in Construction Examination, both of them making the Top Achievers list.  Ian Astalosh was named on the All-Round Achievers list for achieving Band 6 results in at least 10 HSC units and 47 students were named on the Distinguished Achievers list.

St Patrick’s Principal, Angela Hay said as the new principal to the school, she is impressed with the long tradition of strong academic expectations and standards at St Patrick’s.

‘This year we have continued to produce outstanding HSC results, achieving above state average in every subject,’ said Angela. ‘Many students strived for, and achieved their personal best with a very high percentage of students achieving in the top two bands in every subject. I am immensely proud of every student’s performance and every teacher’s commitment in making this happen.’

Aiswarya Venkatsesan from Catherine McAuley Westmead, and Ari Tchetchenian from Marian College, Kenthurst were also named on the All Round Achievers list for achieving Band 6 results in at least 10 HSC units. Both schools recorded high numbers of students placing on the Distinguished Achievers list with 40 students from Catherine McAuley and 39 from Marian College achieving in the top band for one or more courses.

Acting Principal at Marian College, Mark De Vries said the results were very pleasing with more than fifty percent of the cohort achieved in the top two bands. Marian College were also ranked 51st in the Sydney Morning Herald’s top performing schools for Mathematics.

‘I think, as in all schools, these results demonstrate the hard work and commitment of our students and staff,’ Mark said. ‘Our Mathematics results are a particular highlight and we are very pleased with the school’s performance.’

Nicholas Canete from St Andrew’s College, Marayong was also named on the All Round Achievers list for achieving Band 6 results in at least 10 HSC units. St Andrews also had 24 students named on the Distinguished Achievers list.

Principal Nic Vidot congratulated St Andrews College students and commended the teachers who mentored them along the way.

‘The focus on learning programs of greater precision, specific feedback and engagement have resulted in these fine achievements,’ said Nic. ‘Great teaching combined with focused students equals great results.’

Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) marks were released Thursday 18 December. The ATAR determines a student's entrance to a particular university course.