Fantastic results from a great bunch of students ... is the best way to summarise how Bellingen High School students fared in the 2017 Higher School Certificate.
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And not only were the results good, some students absolutely blitzed it, particularly Meagan Davis, who scored a Band 6 in five subjects, including 99 per cent in both Mathematics and Music.
Sending a message from overseas, Meagan said she was feeling “incredibly relieved and thankful it is all over and very grateful to all the people who helped me achieve the results I wanted”.
She said her result, which marks her out as a notable all-rounder statewide, “was primarily due to hard work throughout the year … and the nurturing and supportive environment around me”.
Her advice to future HSC candidates is threefold – work consistently throughout the year, maintain organisation and planning and make sure you maintain your hobbies.
Meagan is planning to take a gap year and work with young violin students at local schools, after that, it’s Sydney and university but she says she is as yet undecided about “a particular career direction”.
Other stand outs included Blaise Borrer, Kelsey Grover and Teal Rees (three band 6), Sasha Eberding (two Band 6), plus Alena Hardinge, Alana Scheef and Marni Beasley with one Band 6 each.
Principal Paul Holding said he was proud and pleased, both of the students and also of staff, whose commitment was instrumental in these successes.
“We have 27 Band 6s, 59 Band 5s and 85 Band 4s, which is outstanding for our school,” Mr Holding said.
“These results are a mix of our 64 HSC Year 12 students and also some who have split their HSc over two years.
“The results have been good in a wide range of subjects with top marks in Biology, English Advanced, 2 Unit Maths, Society and Culture and Music, which got six Band 6s. But the 85 Band 4s also show how solid we are in that middle range – those students have still done very well and should feel proud.”
And up at Dorrigo High, principal Samantha Hutton said there was a significant rise in Band 5 and 6 results, with standout results in 2 Unit Maths. Khai Steele did very well, as did Year 11 students Zoe Webster and Kye Clements.
*Left to right back, Conaire Deagan, Noah Brading, Kelsey Grover, Ynez Doolan, Sasha Eberding, middle row, Lia Grosvenor, Blaise Borrer with Oscar Shellhorn in front.
The final word belongs to the students themselves:
Sasha Eberding: “It is an amazing feeling … staying motivated is sometimes really hard but a bad mark isn’t ever the be all and end all … the freedom and opportunities at the other end are worth it.”
Kelsey Grover: “I can’t say I didn’t study or that I found it easy … it was a tough year but I am happy with my results and am planning to go on to university.”
Blaise Borrer: “Choose subjects you are passionate about and don’t let the HSC be a barrier to your success.”
Alena Hardinge: “I’m humbled by my results … My advice is, never be afraid to ask questions!”
Teal Rees: “I achieved my results by choosing subjects I enjoyed … my advice is to just keep trying, never again will exams be this stressful, so you may as well give it your best shot.”
Marni Beasley: “I think understanding where your limits are is the most important thing with the HSC … you need to respect that limit and only push beyond it when it’s most crucial.”