2023 HSC High Achievers

ST

GREGORY’S COLLEGE

CAMPBELLTOWN

Higher School Certificate High Achievers 2023

YEAR 12 2023

“Congratulations to our College Dux, Lachlan Dady, and our distinguished achievers.”

FROM THE COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

St Gregory’s College Class of 2023 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, over their six years, 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 co-curricular 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, Lachlan Dady, 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. The College had the most high distinguished male students at any college in the Macarthur region. I wish also to recognise the outstanding work done by the staff of the College, who, like the Class of 2023, had to be agile in their thinking and delivery. To have 146 students graduate Year 12, with 7 TVET and SBATs completed, coupled with 64 VET TAFE credentials gained of results, ensures that our students put themselves in a position to begin the next stages of their young lives. Particular congratulations to our Legal Studies

and Mathematics Standard 2 Unit cohort who achieved almost 10% above the State average.

What is not well known is that 61 students received early entry offers to University, including six scholarships, 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 2023, was their spirit and connectedness to each other and the College. This was witnessed the morning of the release of results in midDecember.

College Captain, Angus Limbrey, spoke in his final speech about the unbreakable bond they had developed among each other and the diversity of perspectives, core pillars of communal values and behaviours and a shared end goal. He concluded with encouraging us all to remain thankful throughout our lives.

Enjoy reading about the excellent achievements of our Class of 2023.

My very best wishes.

Mr Matthew Brennan College Principal (K-12)

NEW HORIZONS

2023 Higher School Certificate – Overview

In 2023, 146 students were awarded their Higher School Certificate. There were 35 entries on the Distinguished Achievement list for a Band 6/E4 result. This represented 4.9% of all results. 18.8% of students achieved a Band 5 – 6 and 59.5% of students obtained a Band 4 – 6. Five students were recognised for achieving an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 90 or above. The College Dux, Lachlan Dady, received an ATAR of 97.90.

Our 2023 HSC students demonstrated their aptitude in a range of courses. Among the shining lights on the horizon were our students’ achievements in courses such as Legal Studies where students achieved five Band 6 results, were 7.4% above the State average and achieved 7.4% higher growth than was typically expected. In Mathematics Standard 2, students achieved eight Band 6 results, were 7.3% above the State average and demonstrated 4.5% higher growth than was typically expected. In Agriculture the College continued to demonstrate its strong roots, with students achieving three Band 6 results, 6.5% above the State average and strong growth. These were just several courses in which students strove for new heights.

However, this group was most characterised by its willingness to embrace new and varied post-school options and explore different HSC pathways. Year 12 students were mentored by representatives from local businesses during the Careers Mentoring Night. Many of these students were involved in gaining a range of micro credentials including drone piloting, RSA certificate, boat licenses, gathering their credentials in digital and print form and a range of other activities preparing them for life after school. Seven students were involved in School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships or TVET courses varying from Plumbing and Real Estate Marketing, to Hospitality and Cyber Security. This cohort achieved 64 Vocational Education and Training credentials in courses including Construction,

Retail Services, Primary Industries and Fitness. While 64 students indicated that they were steering a course towards university – with 61 of these students being offered early entry to universities – 31 students planned to take a gap year or travel overseas, 16 students had already sourced full-time work, 24 students were pursuing apprenticeships and traineeships and others were exploring options at TAFE or private colleges. After 13 years of study, several of which had been spent in COVID lockdown, these students are ready to spread their wings and fly far from the walls of a classroom.

5 STUDENTS WITH AN ATAR OVER 90

Samuel Smith

Andrew Salian 92.70

Elliot Power 93.35

Kieran Minogue 91.20

Lachlan Dady 97.90

35 DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENTS BAND 6/E4 RESULTS FROM 25 STUDENTS

CARLOS ADINA Mathematics Standard 2

JUSTIN BLUMS Legal Studies

CONNOR BROWNE Legal Studies

DYLAN BURGESS Legal Studies

OISIN CHRETIEN Industrial Technology

LACHLAN DADY Mathematics Extension 1 Physics

Studies of Religion II

TOBY DRINNAN Agriculture

ZACHARY EVANS Visual Arts

ORRAN FOSTER Mathematics Standard 2

SAMUEL GELDER Mathematics Standard 2

MARCO JOSIPOVIC Mathematics Standard 2

Construction Examination

COOPER MANGAN Legal Studies

JUDE McCORMACK Mathematics Standard 2

KIERAN MINOGUE Mathematics Extension 1

JACK PETERS Modern History

ELLIOT POWER Agriculture Modern History

Studies of Religion II

PETER REARDON Mathematics Standard 2

Construction Examination

ZACH RILEY Visual Arts

MACS RUBAIN Agriculture

ANGUS RYAN Industrial Technology Construction Examination

ANDREW SALIAN Mathematics Advanced

SAMUEL SMITH Legal Studies

Studies of Religion II

LACHLAN STANLEY PDHPE

Studies of Religion I

OLIVER STEWART Mathematics Standard 2

JOSHUA TREVITT Mathematics Standard 2

PDHPE

AGRICULTURE

3 Band 6 results

6.5% above State mean

BIOLOGY

1.4% above State mean

CHEMISTRY

.8% above State mean

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

2 Band 6 results

MATHEMATICS ADVANCED

1 Band 6 result

MATHEMATICS STANDARD 2

8 Band 6 results

7.3% above State mean

MUSIC 1

5.3% above State mean

PHYSICS

1 Band 6 result

RETAIL SERVICES EXAMINATION

4.9% above State mean

STUDIES OF RELIGION II

3 Band 6 results

VISUAL ARTS

2 Band 6 results

ANCIENT HISTORY

1.2% above State mean

CONSTRUCTION

3 Band 6 results

3.1% above State mean

ENGLISH STANDARD

1.9% above State mean

LEGAL STUDIES

5 Band 6 results

MATHEMATICS EXTENSION 1

2 E4 results

MODERN HISTORY

2 Band 6 results

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

2 Band 6 results

1.2% above State mean

PRIMARY INDUSTRIES EXAMINATION

6.3% above State mean

SOFTWARE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

0.9% above State mean

STUDIES OF RELIGION I

1 Band 6 result

CLASS OF 2023

ACADEMIC CARE IN STAGE 6

The class of 2023 has excelled in a range of fields during their time at the College. From the sporting field to musical performances, outstanding major work projects, and their involvement in an array of extra-curricular and community service activities, they have thrown themselves into the opportunities available at St Greg’s.

The Academic Care program was also well utilised by the group, who were presented a series of sessions aimed at increasing their academic scholarship. These included sessions on goal setting, time management skills, specific study techniques, exam preparation and maximising marks, growth mindset, and reflection activities. Students also made use of the homework club on a Monday afternoon and formed many subject-based study groups to improve their knowledge and understanding of content and work closely with the teaching staff on hand.

This year, we had a record number of students accepted to University before the HSC Exams (almost 90% of those attending). The feedback from students was this took the pressure off them in the lead-up to their final exams when the stress of achieving the required marks can become overwhelming. The popularity of early entry and the subsequent high success rate is attributed to how hard the students worked throughout Year 11 and the first half of their Year 12 courses, and they should be congratulated for securing their spots based on those efforts.

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, with a large number of students in the high 80’s in courses or achieving marks well beyond their expectations. Congratulations to you all.

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:

• Oliver Stewart - Highest Mathematics Standard mark in the UAI/ATAR era (97%).

• Samuel Smith - 4th highest mark in Legal Studies (96%).

• Orlando Reveler - 5th highest Retail mark, Jai Bista had the 8th highest.

• Lachlan Dady - 5th highest Physics mark (92%).

• Peter Reardon - 5th highest Construction Exam mark (92%), Angus Ryan and Marco Josipovic 8th highest (91%).

• Elliott Power - 4th highest Agriculture mark (91%), Toby Drinnan and Macs Rubain 8th highest (90%).

I wish the class of 2023 the very best in the future. To the more than 80 students who have moved into University and TAFE courses or further studies, and to those who start apprenticeships, full-time work, or are taking a gap year, I hope you remember your time at the College fondly, and we would love to see you back at the College soon.

Mr Stephen Bullock

Academic

Care Leader

– Stage 6 (Years 11 & 12)

DUX SPEECH - LACHLAN DADY

“The HSC is a tough journey yet so very rewarding. Not because you end up able to recite some Shakespeare but because of the strength you forge in persevering. This strength is essential to any endeavour whether it be academic, in the workplace or on the sporting field because anything worthwhile never comes easy.

“

Good morning parents, staff, students of the college and fellow high achievers of 2023. We gather here today to celebrate the amazing successes of the class of 2023, not just the high achievers, but everyone who graduated. The efforts and tenacity of all graduates serves to demonstrate the love of work integral to the soul of St Gregs. Regardless of any final results, our growth as people truly testified that you reap what you sow.

As the old saying goes, the shoes that fit one person pinch another. There is no one recipe for the HSC and, as such, the seeds that one sows. However, I implore all those who remain to get past the HSC, to come to recognise the importance of presence, curiosity, and resilience in fortifying a strength to navigate any challenge.

I’m not going to say it makes practice essays and problems magically any more fun, but it definitely makes them easier.

Being present in the moment was so crucial as the active engagement in class helped me retain the information being taught rather than just retracting into my shell like a turtle and hoping I would absorb something. It also made me more aware of the opportunities around me, to balance with the academic side of schooling and make it a much more enjoyable year. I also found staying present beneficial in alleviating my stress and anxiety. Much of my mental anguish during the year stemmed from dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about future uncertainties. However, when I anchored myself in the present moment, taking control of what I possibly could, I was able to escape the relentless grip of these negative thought patterns.

Much of the year will be determined by your patterns and habits. One of these I found so paramount was a habit of curiosity because we are not here to worship what is known but to question it. Albert Einstein mused that he had no special talent rather he was only passionately curious. This resonated for me throughout the year as, when I was genuinely curious about a topic, I felt driven by a desire to explore and understand, making the learning process more enjoyable and fulfilling. That’s why I’d encourage you to

choose subjects you naturally gravitate towards and enjoy because you’ll be more likely to engage deeply with the subject matter, ask questions, and seek out additional information. Unfortunately though, there are still going to be times you just aren’t going to enjoy. This is where I found I needed resilience the most, to just trust the process and slog it out. Personally, pride was fuelling my strength to keep going but it’s all about finding your why and letting that guide the way.

Speaking of this resilience, I need to thank all my Year 12 teachers for somehow being able to persevere with us for nearly two years. Their dedication and support helped achieve all the excellent results today. To Mrs Hackett for the contagious enthusiasm of Maths she spread not only in the classroom but in study sessions on Wednesday afternoons and enrichment on Friday afternoons that I encourage all to participate in. To Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Arentz for their persistence in taking on a unique merging of classes and still trying to navigate the unpredictableness of the English course. To Mrs Clarke for the livelihood and joy she brought to the SOR syllabus. To Mr Todd for always embracing our curiosity and imparting us with the wisdom of Ernest Shackleton. In countless ways you all inspired us to achieve our best in all our endeavours. As did Ms Sawyer and Mr Nelson for always keeping us on track and in line, as well as Mrs Falas and Mrs Armbruster for creating an awesome homeroom environment to start the day. I’m also grateful to my family for always supporting and encouraging me through the tougher times of the year, reminding me that there was a future past the HSC. I’m thankful to friends and peers alike who shared this journey. The friendly competition which helped motivate one another and the laughs shared in class and on breaks made the year more enjoyable.

Relationships are the backbone of the HSC, the respectful alliances with teachers, the solidarity between peers truly make it a team sport. I’ve also come to learn of our own agency, that we are who we choose to become. It starts with us. So, I extend the invitation solely to you, the choice to be present, curious and resilient in facing the challenge of the HSC and those in between and the many more to come.

FOCUS: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Course Band 5 + Band 6

Studies of Religion II

Studies of Religion I

Band 6 Results

Studies of Religion I Studies of Religion II

Lachlan Stanley Lachlan Dady Elliot Power Samuel Smith

Studies of Religion demands a detailed level of knowledge about different religions and the ability to compare these faiths based on different key facets. The joy of these courses – Studies of Religion I and II – is the discussion sparked by the complex considerations of these comparisons.

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.

FOCUS: ENGLISH

English Extension 1

English Standard

English requires students to demonstrate an increasing sophistication in their writing, aptitude in reading and analysing texts and an appreciation of the thematic and literary skills of a wide range of composers. 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 and the performance of Standard English students in achieving an average 1.4% better than the state average. English Extension 1 is among the most challenging in the HSC and 100% of students achieved an E3 – E4.

FOCUS: PDHPE

Band 6 Results

Lachlan Stanley Joshua Trevitt

Our PDHPE students worked conscientiously with 2 students achieving a Band 6. Students demonstrated teamwork and conscientious effort in assessments and this was the starting point of their effective performance.

Students who achieved a Band 6 in Religious Education and PDHPE

“Regardless of any final results, our growth as people truly testified that you reap what you sow.”

Lachlan Stanley

Joshua Trevitt

Lachlan Dady

Elliot Power

Samuel Smith

“Relationships are the backbone of the HSC, the respectful alliances with teachers, the solidarity between peers truly make it a team sport.”

FOCUS: MATHEMATICS

Course Band 5 + Band 6 (E3 – E4)

Mathematics Advanced 47.4%

Mathematics Extension 1 66.6%

Mathematics Extension 2 100%

Mathematics Standard 2 45.7%

Band 6 Results

Mathematics Advanced

Andrew Salian

Mathematics Standard

Carlos Adina Orran Foster Samuel Gelder Marco Josipovic

Jude McCormack Peter Reardon Oliver Stewart Joshua Trevitt

Band E/4

Mathematics Extension 1

Lachlan Dady Kieran Minogue

The secret to this groups effective performance in Mathematics was that students were challenged and pushed all the way from Year 7. A key factor to their success was the high expectations that teachers had of every student and that they had of themselves.

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: SCIENCE

Band 6 Results

Physics

Lachlan Dady

In Science, students worked well supporting, sharing and helping each other with their study. 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 2023:

• 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

Joshua Trevitt

Samuel Gelder

Peter Reardon

Andrew Salian

Oliver Stewart

Orran Foster

Marco Josipovic

Lachlan Dady

Carlos Adina

Jude McCormack

Students who achieved a Band 6/ Band E4 in Mathematics and Science

FOCUS: HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENTS

Students who achieved a Band 6 in History and Geography Departments, Agriculture, Industrial Technology and Computing

Band 6 Results

Legal Studies

Justin Blums Connor Browne Dylan Burgess Cooper Mangan

Modern History

Jack Peters Elliot Power

The collegial study approach was essential in making the difference in our HSIE courses. Students created collaborative study notes and formed study groups both during Homework Help Club and outside of school to prepare for exams.

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.

FOCUS: AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTING

Band 6 Results

Agriculture

Toby Drinnan Elliot Power Macs Rubain

Industrial Technology

Oisin Chretien Angus James Ryan

Our Agriculture results have always been a highlight of the College’s performances. Students perform well in this course because they are involved in the industry through the College’s farm and their involvement in Show Teams.

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”. Students are also commended on their performance in Software Design and Development. This is a tough course and our students spend time preparing intricate projects to solve problems in real-world scenarios.

Connor Browne

Cooper Mangan

Jack Peters

Toby Drinnan

Oisin Chretien

Angus Ryan

Justin Blums

Dylan Burgess

Samuel Smith

Elliot Power

Macs Rubain

Samuel Smith

Students who achieved a Band 6 in Music and Visual Arts, Vocational Education and Training

“This year, we had a record number of students accepted to University before the HSC Exams (almost 90% of those attending).”

FOCUS: MUSIC AND VISUAL ARTS

Visual Arts

Band 6 Results

Visual Arts

Zachary Evans Zach Riley

Music and Visual Arts continue to be one of the strongest performing areas 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. Visual Arts students produced detailed and well executed artworks that demonstrated their awareness of the artmaking process. They are to be commended on the quality of their Bodies of Work and their performance in exams.

FOCUS: VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Marco Josipovic Peter Reardon Angus James Ryan

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 2023 included:

• Certificate II in Construction Pathways

• Certificate II in Agriculture (Primary Industries)

• Certificate III in Retail Services

• Certificate of Attainment for Fitness

The College also had SBAT and TVET students completing the following courses outside school:

• Certificate III Hospitality

• Certificate III Plumbing

• Certificate III Real Estate

Students demonstrated an excellent rate of attainment of their TAFE certificates and the students who used their VET course in calculations for their ATAR also demonstrated a high degree of skill in the exams.

Marco Josipovic

Angus Ryan

Zachary Evans

Zach Riley

Peter Reardon

WHAT WE ACHIEVED

146

115

35 97.90

5 59.49% 18.28%

DISTINGUISHED

ACHIEVERS 2023

POSTIVE TREND

AGRICULTURE

Toby Drinnan

Elliot Power

Macs Rubain

CONSTRUCTION EXAMINATION

Marco Josipovic

Peter Reardon

Angus Ryan

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

Oisin Chretien

Angus Ryan

LEGAL STUDIES

Justin Blums

Connor Browne

Dylan Burgess

Cooper Mangan

Samuel Smith

MATHEMATICS ADVANCED

Andrew Salian

MATHEMATICS EXTENSION 1

Lachlan Dady

Kieran Minogue

MATHEMATICS STANDARD 2

Carlos Adina

Orran Foster

Samuel Gelder

Marco Josipovic

Jude McCormack

Peter Reardon

Oliver Stewart

Joshua Trevitt

MODERN HISTORY

Jack Peters

Elliot Power

PDHPE

Lachlan Stanley

Joshua Trevitt

PHYSICS

Lachlan Dady

STUDIES OF RELIGION I

Lachlan Stanley

STUDIES OF RELIGION II

Lachlan Dady

Elliot Power

Samuel Smith

VISUAL ARTS

Zachary Evans

Zach Riley