In a remarkable display of academic excellence, girls have dominated this year’s Higher School Certificate (HSC) first-in-course awards, securing more than twice the number of top positions compared to boys. The announcement was made during a ceremony at the University of New South Wales on Wednesday, where 139 first-in-course awards were distributed.
The exceptional performance was notably driven by Bethany College, a systemic single-sex Catholic school in Hurstville, Sydney. Five students from this school achieved first place in various subjects, including design and technology, dance, and studies of religion. Charlotte D’Arcy, a student from Bethany College, expressed her pride in her school’s achievements. “I was so proud of our school,” she said after placing equal first in design and technology. Her success, she attributes to her passion and curiosity for the subject.
Passion Over Performance
Many students who excelled in their HSC subjects emphasized that their motivation stemmed from a genuine interest in their subjects rather than a mere desire to excel in exams. Jay Chen from North Sydney Boys, who topped the state in physics, stated, “I never really thought about the mark. I just thought about doing good physics.”
Girls claimed 95 of the awards, leaving 44 for boys. When excluding language schools, where students study separately from their regular schooling, private school students accounted for 56 percent of the awards. Public school students represented 29 percent, and Catholic school students took 12 percent, with the remainder going to students enrolled in TAFE subjects.
Private Schools Shine
Sydney Grammar School continued its tradition of high performance, securing seven first-in-course awards, the highest number for any school. Matthew Gu, a student from Sydney Grammar, achieved first place in both Latin and German continuers. He credits his success in Latin to his teachers, stating, “With a dead language, it’s quite hard to immerse yourself in it. A good teacher is super important for that.”
Other private schools with notable performances included Abbotsleigh and Meriden, where students achieved three or more first or equal-first awards. Selina Wang from Meriden came first in music 2 and music extension, balancing her academic pursuits with her passion for music. “It was definitely a relief because I was at my desk so much during the HSC, and then being able to get up and actually do something physical that I enjoyed, was an outlet for my stress as well,” she shared.
Public Schools Make Their Mark
Public selective schools also performed admirably. Baulkham Hills High and James Ruse Agricultural High School each garnered three awards. Terry Chen from James Ruse topped the challenging mathematics extension 2 course, enjoying the creative aspect of the subject. “I guess maths is a subject that you can’t really predict the questions to because it has such a broad syllabus,” he remarked.
Stacy Zhang from Roseville College emerged as a standout performer, placing first in both biology and chemistry. Her classmate, Sophie Firek, topped legal studies, driven by her love for the subject. “I’m a really big nerd. You can get into the different case studies, and just keep learning and learning,” Sophie said.
Overcoming Challenges
For some students, the journey to the top was filled with personal challenges. Alice Hynes from Hornsby Girls, who topped history extension, expressed mixed feelings about the HSC, describing it as “dehumanising and ableist.” Born deaf and using cochlear implants, Alice faced additional hurdles but persevered with the help of disability provisions.
Similarly, Emily Sonter from Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College, who excelled in earth and environmental sciences, attributed her success to a lifelong love of nature, fostered by her parents who took her camping from a young age.
The 2025 HSC results highlight the diverse talents and dedication of students across New South Wales, with many attributing their success to passion, curiosity, and the support of dedicated teachers. As these young achievers look to the future, their stories serve as an inspiration to students across the state.
