HSC achievements

Year 12 Academic Coordinator, Mrs Kerry Pacey, and the Higher School Certificate (HSC) teachers espoused the power of the pen mantra throughout 2022. All for the purpose of enhancing recall, making meaning of complex content and improving writing `fitness'.

Equal Dux of the College – Charles Rowley and Ethan Quintana: ATAR 99.80

Charles Rowley studied a diverse pattern of subjects, including Accelerated Mathematics Advanced and Extension 1 in 2021. Charles built upon this foundation in 2022, attaining an outstanding 99 out of 100 in Modern History (second in the state) and excellence across complex English courses, including Extension 1.

Ethan Quintana, equally adept at mastering the curriculum and the running track, excelled at Accelerated Mathematics in Year 11. In Year 12, among his many achievements, Ethan produced a university-standard research project exploring how humans can limit cellular death caused by the ageing process. He adroitly applied his knowledge during the online HSC Science Extension examination, scoring 49 out of 50 (third in the state).

Collaborate and teach others

Embracing the Marist Family Spirit proved to be a core learning principle for the Class of 2022. For Year 12 student Toby Maroulis, and his peers, this meant teaching classmates in breakout spaces, mentoring peers, deconstructing HSC questions on whiteboards and working with expert teachers. Toby, along with Jackson Basha (third highest ATAR of 99.65), were the driving force behind an initiative to share resources and collaborate on study and examination prep. This initiative helped the year group to operate as an academic team, further fuelling the supportive atmosphere.

Individual and collective excellence

The HSC performances highlighted the individual and collective strengths of this impressive group of young men. From a high level of achievement in the creative pursuits and linguistic excellence, through to mastery in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and the humanities.

Highlights

Forty-nine exams resulted in a mark of 95 or more out of 100 across 17 HSC subjects
An impressive 16 students achieved the highest band (Band 6) result in the Advanced English course, while in English Extension 1 students achieved an average of 47 out of 50
Two students scored full marks (100/100) in the Advanced Mathematics examination and we had 53 Band 6s across all Mathematics courses, including Extension 2
Studies of Religion 2 Unit students earned 21 Band 6 results
Exceptional creative performances resulted in 11 nominations for exhibition in ARTEXPRESS (Visual Arts), InTech (Industrial Technology) and SHAPE (Design and Technology)
Band 6s were earned by 36 per cent of Physics students and 35 per cent of Legal Studies students
One PDHPE student produced a top mark of 95 out of 100

Well done to the 47 high performing Year 11 HSC accelerants across Mathematics, Business Studies and Studies of Religion.

Beyond the headlines, the unsung heroes of the cohort must also be celebrated. In particular, the young men who persevered when giving up seemed enticing, showing grit and making incremental learning gains.

Congratulations to the Class of 2022 for partnering so positively with their families, teachers and the broader College community. This part of their lifelong learning journey has been navigated together … the Joeys way!

The famous American academic and author Professor Angela Duckworth defines grit as a mixture of passion and perseverance ± qualities our class of 2021 displayed in abundance.

In a year disrupted by Covid, Joeys HSC students maintained focus and grit throughout. Fuelled by meaningful goals, these young men learnt that mastery of subject requires marathon endurance.

The HSC Class of 2021 epitomisesd teamwork; online, in physical classrooms and Year 12 breakout spaces. Together, these young men solved problems on whiteboards, shared notes, participated in self-paced learning and peer-critiqued works of art. Moreover, they supported their classmates through their inevitable academic challenges, sharing successes and raising awareness for social causes.

Excellent performances

Luca Manfredi, a delighted Dux of the College, achieved an outstanding ATAR of 99.10.
An impressive Nicholas Baksa achieved a second ranked ATAR of 99.00.
Oscar Crowe acknowledged on the prestigious All Rounders List, achieving a Band 6 (above 90) result for 10 units (five subjects) or more.
The consistent and hard-working Lachlan Stewart earnt 9th Place in the State in Mathematics Standard 1.
Renaissance man David Talifero scoring 48 out of 50 for both English Extension 2 and Latin Extension.
Lawrence Campbell Oratory winner Bernard Lund had four subject results above 95, including 96 in Studies of Religion 2 Unit.
In cutting-edge Engineering Studies, John Piekuta excelled with a score of 96.
Year 10 linguist Benjamin Sestanovic earnt an exceptional 98 in HSC French Continuers.
Year 11 accelerant Leo Jin achieved a mark of 95 in the highly challenging Mathematics Extension 2 course.

Subject highlights

Critical thinking was pivotal in producing 18 Band 6 results in the English courses.
The mathematicians shone in the most challenging courses, including 63 per cent in the top band in Mathematics Extension 1.
Balanced judgements in Legal Studies led to an average of 8 marks above the state.
Deep analysis of the 20th century saw mastery from 8 modern historians.
Fifty per cent of PDHPE students achieved Bands 5 and 6 results.
In Engineering Studies, 37 per cent of students soared beyond 90.
Twenty-six individual Band 6 results in Studies of Religion 2 unit, including 10 from Year 11.
In Visual Arts, 80 per cent of students scored above 80.
Impressive performances in the creative pursuits and major projects.

Academic personal bests

The unheralded students of the HSC Class of 2021 must be applauded for consistently striving toward their academic personal bests. These students embodied the Marist characteristic of humility in working with teachers to produce incremental learning gains.

Celebrating the power of perseverance

This year group, revelling in their diversity, learnt that grit means to keep going, in the words of Angela Duckworth, “even when you fall down … even when progress toward that goal is halting or slow”. The achievements of the Class of 2021 are the ultimate acknowledgement of the power of perseverance. In committing to purposeful goals, including social causes beyond the classroom, we applaud these fine young men for showing grit. Most crucially, for embracing the early steps in their lifelong learning journey.

At the beginning of 2020, Year 12 set themselves the goal of 20 per cent of all Higher School Certificate examinations resulting in Band 6s (90 or above). In order to strive for academic excellence in the modern HSC, the skills of critical thinking, agility and clear communication are essential. Importantly, similar dispositions are sought by the world beyond the College walls. With attention to the learning process, and collaboration between peers and teachers, an outstanding 21 per cent of results were acknowledged on the Distinguished Achievers’ List, meaning the achievement of the lofty ‘20 in 2020’ goal.

A total of 210 St Joseph’s College students sat for the HSC in 2020, along with 13 Mathematics Accelerants from Year 11. The HSC outcomes illuminate the uniqueness of students within the year group, with distinct and diverse strengths.

HSC Highlights 2020

Harrison Bentley – Dux of the College, with an ATAR of 99.90.
A record 8 students attaining ATARs above 99, 30 students above 95 and an impressive 64 students above 90.
241 HSC results, and 110 students, were listed on the Distinguished Achievers’ List, attaining Band 6s or E4s (above 90), across 31 courses.
21 per cent of all HSC Examinations were Band 6 performances and 63 per cent Band 5 and 6 combined (80 marks or above).
5 State Rankings listed as Top Achievers: Harrison Bentley – 3rd Place in Ancient History and 4th Place in English Extension 2, Tyler Boddington – 5th Place in Mathematics Standard 2, Harry Curtin – 5th Place in TAFE Electrotechnology and Aidan Kearns – 11th Place in Modern History.
9 students were acknowledged in the All-Rounders’ List, scoring a Band 6 or E4 result in 10 or more units: Harrison Bentley, Barney Buffier, Darcy Creagh, William Coffey, Adrian Dawson, Aidan Kearns, Michael Murphy, Jonathan Ryan and Simon Toscan.
11 nominations or selections for exhibition in Drama, Industrial Technology and Visual Arts.

2020 Subject Highlights

25 students on the Distinguished Achievers’ List (90 or above – Band 6) for English, including an outstanding 11 out of 17 in English Extension 1 and 100 per cent of students in English Extension 2.
In Mathematics, an extraordinary 78 Distinguished Achiever entries across the 4 Mathematics courses, including 58 per cent of students in Mathematics Advanced.
The Latin and French students shone brightly in the Continuers and Extension courses.
The Historians excelled, with 36 per cent of the 42-strong Modern History cohort attaining Band 6 results, fuelled by an HSC Examination average 13.45 marks above the state.
17 Distinguished Achiever entries were recorded across the Science disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Investigating Science and Physics.
In Legal Studies, a phenomenal 57 per cent of students achieved Band 6s, driven by an HSC Examination average 13.1 marks above the state.
In delving deeply into major global religions, 25 students entered the Distinguished Achievers’ List in Studies of Religion I and II.
In Visual Arts, all students attained a Band 5 or 6 outcome, expertly balancing the practical and written components.
In Drama, 57 per cent of students performed to the highest level, adroitly navigating the varied demands of this challenging subject.
The bar has been set high for the next generation of Joeys scholars, with the academic legacy of the Class of 2020 etched into the College’s 140-year history.

The 2019 HSC represented a significant shift for students across the State, with the modern HSC requiring more flexible application of knowledge and skills. The HSC outcomes for Joeys also highlighted the capitalisation of individual strengths, with diverse achievements ranging from a State ranking in Studies of Religion – 2 Unit, through to multiple HSC practical nominations and selections in Drama, Industrial Technology, Music and Visual Arts.

182 St Joseph’s College students sat for the HSC in 2019, plus 11 Mathematics Accelerants from Year 11. Of these students:

Rhys Barrow is Dux of the College for 2019, with an ATAR of 99.25. He Accelerated Mathematics Advanced and Extension 1 Mathematics in Year 11, whilst studying Economics, English Advanced, Modern History and Studies of Religion – 2 Unit in Year 12.
Oliver Sidgreaves achieved the second highest ATAR of 99.15. Oliver was also a Weekly Boarder and studied Chemistry, English Advanced, Physics, Studies of Religion – 1 Unit and Visual Arts in Year 12, along with Mathematics Advanced and Extension 1 in Year 11.
4 students were acknowledged in the All Rounders’ List, scoring the highest band result in 10 or more units. These students include: Rhys Barrow, Nicholas Davies, Jack Lewis and Oliver Sidgreaves.
Nicholas Davies was named in the Top Achievers List – with a 7th Place in the State in Studies of Religion 2 Unit.

HSC Highlights for 2019

Approximately 10% of students received an ATAR above 95, with 24% above 90.
152 HSC results were listed on the Distinguished Achievers List, attaining Band 6 or E4 (above 90%), across 24 subjects.
In the challenging Extension 1 Mathematics, 36% of students attained a Band 6 performance, including the Accelerated Mathematics students.
In Visual Arts, an exceptional 53% of students produced Band 6 performances, against 16% in the State, expertly balancing the written and practical components. The collaborative approach also yielded nominations for ArtEXPRESS for Robert Matchett and Liam Seeto, whilst Edward Benjamin and Jack Morgan were selected for exhibition at public art galleries in 2020.
In English Advanced, with a rigorous new syllabus, an encouraging 13 boys performed to the highest Band above 90%.
The Ancient Historians achieved an impressive 10.39 marks above the State Average, with the small inquiry based cohort of Investigating Science attaining a sizable 10.49 marks above the State Average.
In another key Science discipline, Chemistry, 25% of students achieved a Band 6 result, with marks 8.64 above the State average.
The subject of Legal Studies produced 30% Band 6 outcomes, with an equally outstanding 8.64 marks above the State Average.
Excellent achievement in the creative arts, with Mitchell Hoare nominated for ENCORE, a selection of performances and compositions from HSC Music students.
In Drama, a record number of students including Jesse Grant, Mitchell Hoare, Benjamin Khoury and Max Voulgaris were nominated for OnSTAGE for their Group Performance – “Australien”. Further, Charles Laing and Max Voulgaris were nominated for their Individual Performances in a highly competitive field.
In Studies of Religion I and Studies of Religion 2, students attained Band 6 results more than twice the State Percentage, with Nicholas Davies attaining 7th Place in the State in Studies of Religion 2 Unit.
In Industrial Technology, Nicholas Mirow and Thomas Johnston were nominated for InTech and Shape, the annual exhibition of outstanding Major Projects. Angus Houston was nominated and selected for SHAPE 2020, with his work to be exhibited at the Powerhouse Museum.
Whilst the futuristic group of Software Design & Development students performed 9.29 marks above the State Average.
Subjects where 100% of students achieved Bands 5 or 6 include: English Extension 1, English Extension 2, Japanese Continuers, Mathematics Extension 2, Music 1 and Music 2.

The HSC outcomes, for the Class of 2019, represent a springboard to the next stage of their learning journey. Many fine educators, over many years, played a vital role in their achievements. Importantly, immense gratitude must be extended to the educational leaders and teachers for 2019, particularly Mrs Donna Quinn as Academic Coordinator, Heads of Faculty, Mr Danny Sidgreaves as Boarding Coordinator and the HSC teachers. Their expertise, learning strategies and partnerships with students, and their families, will have enduring impacts long after the content knowledge fades.

The Class of 2018 was generous of spirit and energetic in their pursuit of academic excellence. Indeed, their collaborative and engaged approach to learning exemplifies the Marist values of family spirit and love of work. The fine HSC outcomes also shone the spotlight on the leveraging of individual strengths, with diverse achievements ranging from State rankings in Latin Extension, Studies of Religion 2 and Modern History, through to multiple nominations and selections for exhibitions in the creative arts and technology subjects.

205 St Joseph’s College students sat for the HSC in 2018. Of these students:

Three scholars and great friends, extraordinarily, achieved the same outstanding ATAR of 99.75 – with Thomas Ryan, Luke Dolin and John Salvaris sharing the Dux of the College Prize. Additionally, Gabriel McLachlan and David Mulherin attained ATARs above 99.
An impressive seven students were acknowledged in the All Rounders’ List, scoring the highest band result in 10 or more units. These students include: Aston Buffier, William Burton, Luke Dolin, Oliver Duffy, Gabriel McLachlan, David Mulherin and Thomas Ryan.
Four students were named in the Top Achievers’ list, with State placements for Luke Dolin (3rd Place Latin Extension), Connor Lovely (7th Place Modern History), John Salvaris (3rd Place Studies of Religion 2) and Douglas Stuart-Brookes (9th Place Studies of Religion 2).

Highlights in Striving for Academic Excellence:

A significant 17.50% of all HSC results were Band 6 (90 or above in a 2-unit subject) or E4 (45 or above out of 50 in an Extension subject), represented by 202 entries.
26% of eligible students received an ATAR above 90, with approximately 13% above 95.
Significant gains were made by students at a range of achievement levels, with 87% of the examination results Band 4 or above.
In Ancient History, students scored an incredible 12.79 marks above the State HSC Examination Average and 46% of students attained a Band 6. Similarly, in Modern History, the HSC Examination average was 9.40 marks above the State Average, with 29% of candidates recording a Band 6.
In Studies of Religion I, 21% of the results were Band 6 entries, almost 3 times the State Average percentage, and 20% of Studies of Religion 2 students attained a Band 6.
The 98-strong cohort in Mathematics General 2 attained an HSC Examination Average 8.61 marks above the State Average. Whilst, in Mathematics 2 unit, 41% of candidates attained a Band 6 result, including the vast majority of the Year 11 Accelerated class.
In the demanding Science discipline of Physics, 29% recorded Band 6 results and performed 9.34 marks above the overall State Examination Average. This 29% figure was matched by Chemistry students, which was 3 times the State Average Band 6 entries.
In the cut and thrust of Legal Studies, 33% of students produced top band outcomes, with an equally impressive HSC Examination Average of 7.93 marks above the State.
An outstanding achievement in the creative arts, with 5 of the 7 Music I students attaining Band 6 results and 2 out of 3 performing in the highest band for both Music 2 and Music Extension. Ananya Bhindi, Angus McDonald and Harry Rice-Rickman were nominated for ENCORE, a selection of performances and compositions from HSC Music students. In Drama, similar outcomes were attained, with 4 out of the 7 students performing to the Band 6 standard.
In Industrial Technology, comprising the strands of Multimedia, Timber and Metal, the average HSC Examination Mark was 8.34 above the State Average. The following students were nominated for InTech, the annual exhibition of outstanding Major Projects developed by HSC Industrial Technology students: Charles Davis, Thomas Eveleigh, Tobias McGrath, Hugh O’Leary, Thomas Quinn and Jake Sevil. Benjamin Sevil was nominated and selected for InTech 2019.
Tahi Fiu was nominated for Shape, the annual exhibition of a selection of exemplary Major Projects developed by HSC Design and Technology students.
In Visual Arts, 33% of students produced Band 6 performances, expertly balancing the written and practical components. The varied contributions of Ethan Cutler, Oliver O’Kane, Campbell Orton and Jet Williams yielded nominations for Art Express, while Angus Bick, Thomas Hewson, Kai Jadwat and Nicholas Radford were selected for exhibition in 2019.
Subjects where 100% of students achieved Bands 5 or 6 include: English Extension 1, English Extension 2, French Extension, Japanese Extension, Latin Extension, Mathematics Extension 2, Music 1, Music 2, and Music Extension.

The HSC outcomes, for the class of 2018, rather than signaling an endpoint for students, represent the beginning of the next stage of learning in how to “make a difference” in the lives of others in the wider community. Whilst many fine educators played a role in these achievements, over many years, significant gratitude must be extended to the educational leaders and HSC teachers for 2018. Their leadership and expertise helped form purposeful partnerships with students and their families, a working alliance that will undoubtedly have enduring impacts.

St Joseph’s College has a proud history of striving for academic excellence, a principle embedded in the College motto in meliora contende – strive for better things. The class of 2017 have taken up this quest in producing a fine set of HSC results, representing a core component of their varied and collective achievements. In true Marist tradition, these successes were realised with humility and a love of hard work.

196 St Joseph’s College students sat for the HSC in 2017. Of these students:
Thomas McGregor was Dux of the College with an ATAR of 99.95 (maximum possible ATAR).
A record 9 students were acknowledged in the All-Rounder’s List, scoring a Band 6 (90 or above) or E4 (45 or more) in 10 or more units.
3 students were named in the Top Achievers list, with State rankings by Finnegan Waugh in Chinese Beginners (1st in State), alongside Thomas McGregor and Thomas O’Sullivan in Studies of Religion 2-Unit (2nd and 4th respectively).

Striving for Academic Excellence

An impressive 19.1% of all HSC results achieved were Band 6/E4, represented by 215 entries in this top band of achievement. The College improved their SMH State Ranking by 11 places in 2017.
Impressive gains were made by students at a range of achievement levels, with 89% of the examination results Band 4 or above.
In Studies of Religion 2-Unit, 28% of the results were Band 6 entries, 4 times the State Average percentage.
The Visual Arts Department, working collaboratively with students, achieved Band 6 entries for 54% of their students. 8 students were nominated for ArtExpress, with 3 being selected for display.
In Advanced Mathematics (2-Unit), 46% of the 74 students attained a Band 6 result.
In Modern History, almost 1 in 4 students achieved a Band 6 outcome (23%), approximately 3 times the State Average.
4 students were nominated for Shape (InTech) Design, including 2 from Design and Technology and 2 from Industrial Technology – Metal. Lucas Riebolge was selected for display in 2018.
A notable 28 students (40%) in the Extension courses achieved an E4 (top band) outcome.
Subjects where 100% of students achieved Bands 5-6 included: English Extension 1, English Extension 2, French Continuers, French Extension, Japanese Extension, Latin Continuers Latin Extension, Mathematics Extension 2 and Music 2.

The collective striving for excellence is a key feature of the academic journey at St Joseph’s College. Indeed, this collaboration is highlighted by hard working staff and students working side by side throughout the extended school day and, on many occasions, during evening study and weekends. The HSC results, for the class of 2017, were a culmination of this team approach, as a springboard to the next stage of their (lifelong) learning.

St Joseph’s College celebrated strong HSC results for 2016. There were a number of outstanding individual and group achievements, including one student achieving first place in the state in Mathematics 2 Unit and two more students placing in the top 20 in the state in a subject.

Seven students were named on the HSC All Rounders List for achieving in the top band in 10 or more of their units.

The dux of the College for 2016 was Tarkan Gursel with an ATAR of 99.10. In total, 189 students from St Joseph’s College were eligible for ATARs. To the best of the College’s knowledge, ten per cent of SJC students achieved ATARs above 95 and one-quarter of the cohort achieved ATARs above 90. Approximately half the cohort scored ATARs of 80 or higher, whilst more than 70 per cent of students achieved ATARs above 70.

A total of 194 Year 12 students from St Joseph’s College sat the HSC examinations, along with 13 Year 11 students studying accelerated mathematics and two Year 11 students studying accelerated French Continuers.

Almost two thirds of all exam results were in the top two bands (above 80%) and more than 90% of all exam results were above 70%. In Mathematics Extension 2, Music 1, and French Continuers all students from St Joseph’s College achieved marks greater than 80%.

Exceptionally strong results were achieved in Information Processes and Technology, which scored 15.18% above the state exam mean, Industrial Technology with 14.53% above the state exam mean and all students scoring in the top two bands. Mathematics General 2 was 12.42% above the state mean an Ancient History with 10.28% above the state mean. Other subjects scoring notably higher than the state exam mean were French Continuers (+9.29%), Music 1 (+9.12%), Studies of Religion 2-unit (+8.66%), Mathematics (+8.35%) and Legal Studies (+8.25%).

The College recorded 184 entries from 85 individual students on the Distinguished Achievers List for achieving in the top band in a subject. Mathematics recorded 22 entries on the list, Studies of Religion 1-unit recorded 20 entries and Mathematics General 2 recorded 18 entries.

The College continued its strong reputation for excellence in Visual Arts, with an incredible 12 students nominated for ARTEXPRESS and five selected for the exhibition. One student was successful in being selected for OnSTAGE and three students were nominated for InTech.

HSC achievements

HSC achievements

Reaping the rewards