2022 HSC High Achievers

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)