The self-declared “no excuses” Moruya High School is celebrating 13 students in the Higher School Certificate Distinguished Achievers list.
According to the NSW Education Standards Authority, the students each scored 90 per cent or higher – band six – in one or more exams.
Together the students achieved 24 band six marks.
Twins Caitlin and Bridie Douglas scored nine band six marks between them – Caitlin had five (Biology, Advanced English, Legal Studies and two others), placing her in the state’s All Round Achievers list, and Bridie had four ( Biology, Advanced English, General Maths and one other).
Charlotte Carter had three band sixes for Ancient History, Maths and Maths Extension 1.
Two students scored band six in two subjects: Sean Jones (Engineering and Mathematics) and Holly Machon (Ancient History and General Maths).
Others were Samuel Byrne (General Maths), Abigail Dunn (General Maths), Curtis Dunne (Maths), Maddison Eveleigh (Biology), Lily Hawthorne (Music), Matthew Henry (Maths), Ryan Hollis (Maths), and Chelsea Penkethman (Music).
The school said it was also celebrating 60 band five results.
Principal Mark English said he was elated with the results from his “no excuses school”.
“I am over the moon,” he said.
He said attending a school in a rural area was no reason to expect an average result.
“We come from a middle-size rural high school and we don’t use the perceived disadvantage as an excuse,” Mr English said.
“We are a no excuses school. The students know it, and we promote it.
“The hard work the kids and their teachers have put in has paid off.
“It shows, across the board, in all subjects, students can achieve fantastic results at Moruya High School.
“It is a strong cohort and there are more to follow.”
Mr English said a five-year campaign for excellence had brought results.
“The dedication of staff across the school and the initiatives we have put in place for high expectations is paying off,” he said.
However, the depth of success surprised even him.
“I was very hopeful,” Mr English said.
“I had high expectations, which I have been promoting at presentation days and assemblies, but I did not really expect it to be this good.
“Our excellent results in NAPLAN should continue this trend.”
Mr English said each Wednesday was “max day”. Some students attended TAFE or work placements and extension students were free to focus on their more demanding subjects.
Mr English said 25 students received early entry to university before the HSC.
He thanked a strong partnership with the University of Wollongong’s Batemans Bay campus and its outreach In2Uni program.
