2022 HSC High Achievers

Higher School Certificate High Achievers 2022

YEAR 12 2022

“Congratulations to our College Dux, Jordan Messer, and the other students who achieved an overall ATAR of over 90.”

FROM THE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

St Gregory’s College Class of 2022 finished their time at the College well. Looking at the overall growth from the cohort, using a battery of metrics, showed some outstanding individual and collective growth. The group had to navigate through some difficult times, managing the COVID lockdowns, floods, fires and some reimagining of learning due to online platforms and remote instruction. This coupled with the cancellation of many sporting and other cocurricular opportunities, resulted in a period of disconnect. Despite this, as you will read in this publication, the boys handled themselves with aplomb.

Congratulations to our College Dux, Jordan Messer, and the other students who achieved an overall ATAR of over 90. Well done to those also who gained Distinguished Achievements of a course score over 90. I wish also to recognise the outstanding work done by the staff of the College, who, like the Class of 2022, had to be agile in their thinking and delivery. To have almost 75% of results over 70% ensures that our students put themselves in a position to begin the next stages of their young lives. Two thirds of the courses were also above stage average and 53 TAFE credentials were earnt. Particular congratulations to our Physics and Industrial Technology cohort who achieved almost 10% above state average.

What is not well known is that almost 80% over the eligible ATAR students received first round offers to University, meaning their next step was already very much established well before sitting the HSC exams.

Whilst all these statistics are impressive, they are only one measure of a successful year. Granted that schools are (and should be) places of academia. My greatest memory, and some could argue the greatest achievement, of the Class of 2022, was their spirit and connectedness to each other and the College. College Captain, Lucas Braithwaite, spoke in his final speech about the unbreakable bond they had developed among each other and the commitment to look at for each other always. He challenged them to remember their faith, family and friends always, some wise and very true words.

Enjoy reading about the excellent achievements of our Class of 2022.

My very best wishes.

Mr Matthew Brennan College Principal (K-12)

A STORY OF GROWTH

2022 Higher School Certificate – Overview

In 2022, 126 students were awarded their Higher School Certificate. There were 41 entries on the Distinguished Achievement list for a Band 6/E4 result in a subject. 8 students were recognised for achieving an Australian Tertiary Entrance Rank (ATAR) of 90 or above. The College Dux, Jordan Messer, received an ATAR of 98.45. Students demonstrated a diversity of talent, attempting 34 Board Developed Courses. Students achieved above state average in 65% of these courses with 8 courses achieving between 5 – 10% above state average. 6.3% of all students obtained a Band 6/E4 result, 35.8% of students achieved a Band 5 – 6 and 73.1% of students obtained a Band 4 – 6.

The real story for our 2022 cohort was their learning growth. For the vast majority of students, there were significant learning gains when their HSC results were mapped against their Trial HSC. There was also significant improvement when students’ results were tracked back to their Year 11 grades and their earlier achievements in NAPLAN testing. Moreover, students from the 2022 cohort outperformed averages obtained by the previous cohort in 62% of their courses. Given the significant disruptions of the last two years, this group is to be commended for their resilience and tenacity.

9 STUDENTS WITH AN ATAR OVER 90

BAND 6 RESULTS

BAND 5-6 RESULTS

RANGE OF BAND 4-6

35.8% 6.3% 73.1%

Subjects Above State Average

41 DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENTS BAND 6 RESULTS FROM 22 STUDENTS

COOPER BENSON

Mathematics Standard 2

DECLAN BYRUM Legal Studies

Studies of Religion II

PATRICK OLIVER CLEARY Mathematics Standard 2

BEN COLBOURNE Legal Studies

Mathematics Advanced

BRODY McCONCHIE Legal Studies

JOHN McDONALD Legal Studies

Studies of Religion II

JORDAN MESSER Chemistry

Mathematics Extension 1

Mathematics Extension 2

Physics

NICHOLAS COZMA

Industrial Technology

Mathematics Standard 2

Construction Examination

SEAN MURTAGH Legal Studies

ANDREW PARKIN Chemistry

DOMINIC CURTIN

Mathematics Extension 1

Mathematics Extension 2 Physics

PATRICK DAVIS

Industrial Technology

Mathematics Standard 2

Construction Examination

LEO DEGELING Music 1

THOMAS GRAHAM Modern History

EDEN GRASSO

Mathematics Standard 2

CHARLIE GUYMER Construction Examination

THOMAS KENNEDY Mathematics Extension 1

Mathematics Advanced Physics

JOSHUA PARRISH

Mathematics Extension 1

Mathematics Advanced Physics

Mathematics Standard 2

WILLIAM POTTS Music 1

WILLIAM SINCLAIR Studies of Religion I

MANOJ WEERASINGHAM Legal Studies

Mathematics Standard 2

Studies of Religion II

CALLUM PAROLI-WILLIAMS

Mathematics Standard

YEAR 12 2022

Individual Course Highlights

CLASS OF 2022

ACADEMIC CARE IN STAGE 6

During the past two years, the 2022 cohort engaged in a number of Academic Care sessions that aimed to increase the academic scholarship of the students. These included sessions on goal setting, time management skills, specific study techniques, exam preparation and maximising marks, growth mindset and reflection activities. It was clear that students were actively engaged in these presentations and activities throughout the senior school years, with survey results showing that almost 90% of students believed the Academic Care program increased their knowledge and understanding of the HSC and had been beneficial to their studies and study skills.

One strategy that worked very successfully this year was our Homework Club on a Monday afternoon (held in the Marian Centre). Students took the opportunity to spend time working on homework and assessment tasks with peers and staff, this was particularly popular in the lead up to Trial and final HSC examinations. At times we hosted entire classes who worked together as a team with their teacher to practice skills and cement content knowledge, or worked through practice papers to prepare them for their final examinations.

Perhaps the biggest key to the success of the 2022 cohort was the level of motivation that they maintained throughout their final year of schooling. Motivation is consistently referenced in discussions around the keys to success in the HSC and our high achievers were no exception to this. It can be extremely challenging to maintain this towards the end of their schooling, however our high achievers continued to set goals and put in place strategies to achieve them, they were driven and motivated and their results are testament to this effort. The College motto is poignant here – ‘You will reap what you sow’. Whilst we formally recognise our High Achievers, I would also like to acknowledge all of our students that have shown significant improvement and growth over the past two years. The data analysis undertaken points to a myriad of success stories from students who may not appear on the Band 6 lists or achieved an ATAR above 90, however the extra hours of study they implemented to improve their Trial results subsequently resulted in successfully obtaining a University placement in their chosen degree, or HSC marks they can be proud to show prospective employers.

Whilst there have been many outstanding performances across the diverse range of subjects undertaken by our students, I would like to highlight the following students:

• Nic Cozma - 97 in Industrial Technology. This is the highest mark achieved in that subject at St Gregory’s (in the ATAR era). Furthermore, the mark of 96 achieved by Patrick Davis is also the 2nd highest.

• Leo Degeling - 96 in Music is the 3rd highest mark achieved in the subject.

• Patrick Cleary and Patrick Davis achieved the 4th highest mark in Mathematics Standard (96)

• Thomas Kennedy and Andrew Parkin achieved the 5th highest marks in Mathematics Advanced (97).

• Charlie Guymer achieved the 2nd highest mark in the Construction Exam (93). Patrick Davis and Nic Cozma the 5th highest (92).

• Jordan Messer achieved the 3rd highest Physics mark (93) and Dominic Curtin the 5th highest (92) .

• Jordan Messer also achieved the 4th highest Chemistry mark (92) and Andrew Parkin the 6th (91)

I wish the 2022 group all the best in whichever future endeavour they aspire to, this cohort were a pleasure to work with both collectively and individually. Gentlemen, ‘find your passion, make it your profession, and you will never work a day in your life.’

Mr Stephen Bullock Academic Care

Leader – Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12)

DUX SPEECH - JORDAN MESSER

Let me take you back to Mr Bingham’s Year 10 PE class, where he had hung on the wall a poster of an iceberg. The visible part above the waves simply said ‘success’. The part below the waves and typically hidden from view said things such as ‘hard work’, ‘persistence’, ‘failures’ and ‘sacrifice’. I didn’t think much of this until it came to the HSC, where I found nothing could explain the journey to success so precisely and succinctly. Today, I will try to reveal to you these important aspects of success I found crucial to the HSC, but are often hidden from view. Good morning parents, staff, students of the college and fellow high achievers of 2022. We gather here today to celebrate the amazing successes of the class of 2022, not just the high achievers, but everyone who graduated, who had to endure fires, three years of COVID and to top it all off, floods. To combat all this, and still achieve the goals and aspirations we set ourselves, is an achievement we should all be very proud of. The resilience we all showed and the results we achieved are not the outcome of any single individual. The HSC is a team effort, and your relationships with those around you are crucial to success. Spending two years in the same classes with the same people, I naturally grew close with my classmates. These relationships were often filled with competitive spirit, where we quietly strove to beat our mates and try and push ahead of them. If we fell behind, we strove to not only catch up, but overtake. This was crucial in our enduring motivation, although everyone had moments where their motivation inevitably faltered. The friendly competition and camaraderie in our senior years were crucial to helping us push through these slumps to come up the other side with even more motivation to keep going.

Similarly, spending two years with your teachers in your final years also leads to them becoming friends. They are one of your greatest sources of support, so use it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, or some extra help on something you haven’t managed to grasp yet. The dedication and sacrifices they made for us were astounding, to make sure we knew every part of the syllabus in detail, how to answer questions and importantly that we enjoyed the subject. One of the best ways to receive that help is Maths study on Wednesday afternoons, where the Maths department offers an hour and a half of their time to help any student with homework, assignments or other questions they might have. Your teachers will be your greatest source of help during your journey through the HSC. It is at this point I need to thank my Year 12 teachers who dedicated countless hours in our support. Without them, it would have been impossible to achieve what I did. Mrs Arentz, for always helping me improve my practice essays. Mr Bond, for tolerating us in the Marian and getting the mantra stuck in my head; ‘answer the question’. Mr Andrews, for making Chem. fun with your analogies and pracs that usually worked. Mr Todd, for being so generous with your time and help. Mrs Simmons, for making me appreciate the glory of maths. And, of course, Mrs Hackett, for all the hours spent before school trying to figure out what imaginary numbers really were. It is to you all that these results are truly owed.

I also need to give a shout out to my family. While you may not have always been able to help with my homework, thank you for always tolerating me when I was in a bad mood, for allowing me to chew your ear off if I needed to talk, and always loving and supporting what I chose to do. Words cannot express how grateful I am.

The HSC is about reaching your goals, to get the ATAR you need for a degree, or the marks to get into an apprenticeship, or simply finishing school. You need to ask yourself, what are my goals? What do I want to achieve when I graduate? Figure out your purpose and you’ll find your motivation to put the effort in and reach your goals. Every high achiever here this morning set themselves a goal, either to get a band six, or an ATAR over 90. We are proof that goals are reachable. So set some, and who knows where they might take you.

Success in the HSC always requires hard work and persistence. No one has ever reached the goals they set without putting in some effort. As I’ve said, once you know what you want, you’ll be motivated to put in the hard yards to reach it. Each practice paper and each essay, each hour in the workshop, sanding or finally completing your artwork, or adding to your portfolio, will take you closer to those goals. The more you do, the closer you will become. Personally completing 35 practice papers between Trials and HSC across my subjects brought me here. As Mr Andrews used to say, the HSC is like a front foot drive. The more you practice before the match, the more likely you are to succeed when its game time.

This inevitably leads to sacrifices. You will have to set aside time to do practice papers, or work seemingly endless hours on a major work. To reach the goals you set will probably mean not being able to go out every weekend, or not being able to play video games every night, and of course the late nights you will endure. But these sacrifices will come to fruition at the end.

The final part of the iceberg I would like to bring to the surface is rather simple. Have fun. You will only succeed if you love what you do. Whether that be school, work or an apprenticeship. If you enjoy what you do, you will naturally want to do better and put the effort in. Year 11 and 12 is an opportunity to choose subjects you enjoy. For me that was Maths and Science. For others that may have been construction, or music, or history. If you love what you pick, you are more likely to reach your goals and succeed. You only complete school once, so enjoy it, otherwise you’ll blink and have missed it.

If you love what you do, develop positive relationships with those around you and put in the effort to reach your goals, you will succeed, not just in the HSC and school, but at life in general.

The challenge is over to you, gentleman.

FOCUS: SCIENCE

Band 6 Results

Physics Chemistry

Jordan Messer Dominic Curtin Jordan Messer

Thomas Kennedy Andrew Parkin Andrew Parkin

At the heart of success in Science courses was the team environment existed in the classroom. The boys worked well supporting, sharing and helping each other with their work. This created a healthy competition in the classes. There was a real passion for experimental process and content.

Strategies commonly used across the HSC Science courses in 2022:

• Regular completion of past HSC questions throughout the year, as the content is taught

• Modelling exam technique – using key verbs sheet regularly in the classroom

• Peer marking of exam style questions

• Physics - Additional classes after school, holidays

• Student accountability – regularly checking student work

• Providing regular Feedback -annotating student responses

FOCUS: TECHNOLOGY

Band 6 Results

Industrial Technology

Nicholas Cozma Patrick Davis

In Industrial Technology, students chose to focus on Timber Products and Furniture or Meta and Engineering. As always, students’ major projects and portfolios were a highlight of the course and there were some impressive projects produced. Students in these courses are to be commended on their ability to work together to “get the job done”.

FOCUS: CAPA

Band 6 Results

Music 1

Leo Degeling William Potts

Music continues to be one of the strongest performing courses at St Gregory’s College. Music students are also an instrumental part of the cultural life of the College with students in the College Band, Choir and liturgies.

Although Visual Arts Major Works were hampered by remote learning, our Visual Arts students demonstrated tenacity in their efforts and performed well in the HSC exam.

Students who achieved a Band 6 in Science, Technology and CAPA

Nicholas Cozma

Andrew Parkin

Thomas Kennedy

Jordan

Messer

Dominic Curtin

Patrick Davis

Leo Degeling

William Potts

“Success in the HSC always requires hard work and persistence. No one has ever reached the goals they set without putting in some effort.”

Students

FOCUS: MATHEMATICS

Band 6 Results

Mathematics Advanced

Thomas Kennedy

Mathematics Standard

Andrew Parkin

Patrick Cleary Patrick Davis

Cooper Benson Manoj Weerasingham

Nicholas Cozma Callum Williams-Paroli

Band E/4

Mathematics Extension 1

Dominic Curtin

Thomas Kennedy

Ben Colbourne

Joshua Parrish

Eden Grasso

Jordan Messer Sebastian Petrovski

Andrew Parkin

Students across the Mathematics courses performed effectively in 2022. Even in Mathematics Extension 2, one of the most challenging HSC courses, 100% of students achieved and E3 or E4 – an outstanding effort. This group of Mathematics students were challenged and pushed all the way from Year 7. A key factor to their success was the expectations of every student.

From the beginning, they were encouraged to understand and visualise rather than simply “do the Math”. This developed their critical thinking and enthusiasm for asking “why?”

They understood the importance of “putting in the hard yards” and attended Mathematics Study on a regular basis.

The students in the Extension and Advanced groups worked as a team and their willingness to collaborate and share resources was outstanding.

FOCUS: STUDIES OF RELIGION

Course Band 5 + Band 6

Studies of Religion II 40.63%

Studies of Religion I 20.51%

Band 6 Results

Studies of Religion

Manoj Weerasingham Declan Byrum John McDonald

William Sinclair

The beauty of a course like Studies of Religion is the increasing sophistication of discussion sparked by the complex considerations of different faiths. In Studies of Religion, boys were encouraged to support their understanding of the dimensions of different faiths with detailed explanation of supporting evidence.

In Studies of Religion, students worked together and under the able tutelage of their teachers to shape their awareness and respect for a range of religious perspectives.

Thomas Kennedy

Andrew Parkin

Ben Colbourne

Patrick Davis

Cooper Benson

Eden Grasso

Callum Williams-Paroli

Patrick Cleary

Joshua Parrish Manoj Weerasingham

Nicholas Cozma

Jordan Messer

John McDonald

Sebastian Petrovski

William Sinclair

Declan Byrum

Dominic Curtin

who achieved a Band 6/Band E4 in Mathematics and Studies of Religion

FOCUS: VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Band 5 + Band 6

Band 6 Results

VET Construction

Charlie Guymer Nicholas Cozma Patrick Davis

Vocational Education and Training Courses enable students to gain both an HSC credential (with an ATAR) and a TAFE credential. Students who chose to complete the exam component of the course performed at a high level with all three courses performing better than state average and more students than ever before achieving a Band 5 – 6 result.

VET Courses

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are an important part of the curriculum offerings at the College. They help many of our students prepare for further education, training, employment and lifelong learning. Some students study VET courses at the College and some attend TAFE or other training providers.

The Vocational Education Frameworks offered at the College in 2021 included:

• Certificate II in Construction Pathways

• Certificate II in Agriculture (Primary Industries)

• Certificate III in Retail Services

• Certificate of Attainment for Fitness

This year, despite remote learning hampering students’ Work Placements and completion of competencies, the College registered 61 TAFE Certificates. The College also had students complete School Based Apprenticeships. These are excellent results for these students and for the school.

In addition, many VET courses can also contribute to an ATAR if students complete the HSC examination component.

FOCUS: ENGLISH

Course Band 5 + Band 6 (E3/E4)

English is the only compulsory subject area in the HSC and students are to be commended on their achievement and their improvement in English through the course of the HSC. Noteworthy is the increased number of students obtaining Band 5 in English Advanced. 10% of students in English Standard also obtained a Band 5 in English and this is an outstanding result. English Extension courses are among the most challenging in the HSC and 100% of students attempting these courses achieved an E3 – E4.

Band E3

English Extension 1

Ben Colbourne Liam Jobburn

John McDonald William Sinclair

English Extension 2

Ben Colbourne Liam Jobburn

John McDonald

Students who achieved a Band 6 in Vocational Education and Training

Nicholas Cozma

Patrick Davis

“Perhaps the biggest key to the success of the 2022 cohort was the level of motivation that they maintained throughout their final year of schooling.”

Charlie Guymer

Students who achieved a Band 6 in Human Society and Its Environment

FOCUS: HUMAN SOCIETY AND ITS ENVIRONMENT

Band 6 Results

Legal Studies

Modern History

Thomas Graham

There were several factors that “made the difference” in HSIE subjects. The collegial study approach was essential. Students created collaborative study notes and formed study groups both during Homework Help Club and outside of school to prepare for exams. Students shared social media posts that were subject focused as part of building their subject awareness.

Exam preparation that students did - past paper HSC questions were undertaken and submitted to classroom teachers for feedback – also made the difference in HSIE subjects. Given the difficult year that this cohort faced, it must be acknowledged that the determination and resolve all students demonstrated contributed to these results.

Subject resources and teacher passion for the subject area helped to drive student engagement and determination to do their best.

Finally, HSIE were fortunate to have attracted students who were suited to these subjects. The ‘right course for the right student’ concept seems to have played a role with these results.

Religion, boys were encouraged to support their understanding of the dimensions of different faiths with detailed explanation of supporting evidence. In Studies of Religion, students worked together and under the able tutelage of their teachers to shape their awareness and respect for a range of religious perspectives.

FOCUS: PDHPE

Our PDHPE students worked conscientiously with 3 students achieving a Band 5. Again, while the challenges of remote learning posed specific difficulties for our PDHPE students, they were able to rise above these adversities to post credible results.

Declan Byrum Ben Colbourne Sean Murtagh Manoj Weerasingham Brody McConchie John McDonald

Sean Murtagh

Brody McConchie John McDonald

Thomas Graham

“… 90% of students believed the Academic Care program increased their knowledge and understanding of the HSC and had been beneficial to their studies and study skills.”

Declan Byrum Ben Colbourne

Manoj Weerasingham

WHAT WE ACHIEVED

DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVERS 2022

COOPER BENSON

Mathematics Standard 2

DECLAN BYRUM Legal Studies

Studies of Religion II

PATRICK CLEARY Mathematics Standard 2

BEN COLBOURNE Legal Studies

Mathematics Advanced

BRODY McCONCHIE

JOHN McDONALD

Legal Studies

Legal Studies

Studies of Religion II

JORDAN MESSER Chemistry

Mathematics Extension 1

Mathematics Extension 2 Physics

NICHOLAS COZMA

Industrial Technology

Mathematics Standard 2

Construction Examination

DOMINIC CURTIN Mathematics Extension 1

Mathematics Extension 2 Physics

SEAN MURTAGH

ANDREW PARKIN

Legal Studies

Chemistry

Mathematics Extension 1

Mathematics Advanced Physics

JOSHUA PARRISH Mathematics Standard 2

PATRICK DAVIS

Industrial Technology

Mathematics Standard 2

Construction Examination

LEO DEGELING Music 1

THOMAS GRAHAM Modern History

EDEN GRASSO

CHARLIE GUYMER

Mathematics Standard 2

Construction Examination

THOMAS KENNEDY Mathematics Extension 1

Mathematics Advanced Physics

WILLIAM POTTS Music 1

WILLIAM SINCLAIR Studies of Religion I

MANOJ WEERASINGHAM Legal Studies

Mathematics Standard 2

Studies of Religion II

CALLUM WILLIAMS-PAROLI Mathematics Standard