2020 HSC results: Tough year rewarded with top results for Hastings Secondary College HSC achievers

Dux is awarded to Bonnie Rudd, Port Macquarie campus and Rinkal Khetani, Westport campus.

Bonnie, who earned an ATAR of 96.1, will study Psychological Science with honours at Newcastle University.

She said despite the challenges of this year, she has learned a lot about herself and thanks the teaching staff at the school for their ongoing support.

"I found the trials the hardest of times because I had a visual arts and extension English major work going at the same time. And because of COVID, we had really no exam preparation," Bonnie said.

"By the time I got to the HSC exams it was all OK.

"I am very surprised by my result but the mark doesn't really matter because I had an unconditional (university) offer."

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Rinkal has been accepted into Clinical Science at Macquarie University and is awaiting her first preference offer from Sydney University for a Bachelor of Physiotherapy.

There were 120 Band 6s and Band 5s among the cohort. University is not the only future pathway for this year's graduates with plenty planning to take a gap year, enter the work force or undertake other training options.

Students who made the honour roll for distinguished achievers include:

Hastings Secondary College Careers Advisors, Sally Shaw and Mark White proudly announced that over 90 per cent of our students have already been provided with early entry offers into universities across a number of disciplines; Clinical Science, Medicine, Law, Veterinarian Science, Psychology, Zoology, Education, Environmental Science Management, Paramedics, Engineering, Nursing and Computer Science.

In 2020, 14 students successfully completed school based apprenticeships and traineeships.

"All our students have worked extremely hard and put in countless hours of effort and study. We are very proud of their achievements. They have taken advantage of the broad range of opportunities within the College and leave us well equipped to face the challenges of the future," Hastings Secondary College careers advisors said.

These excellent student achievements build on the fact that the College was identified by the Sydney Morning Herald in 2019 as being the third "most impactful" school for student learning across the entire state.

NSW Education Secretary Mark Scott paid tribute to every student who had completed their HSC in 2020.

"Considering the particular challenges of 2020, we are extremely proud of every student who has shown the determination and resilience to achieve their best and finish their HSC," Mr Scott said.

"They now leave school with the skills to embark upon a successful life, no matter what they choose next."

Executive Director Rural North Meghanne Wellard commended all North Coast students on completing their HSC in a year that has brought a unique set of challenges.

Ms Wellard said many students were already enjoying the fruits of their labour as they embark on apprenticeships, traineeships or other employment while others have been assured of an early entry place at university.

"There are certainly plenty of reasons to celebrate," Ms Wellard said.

"Parents and teachers can certainly share their pride as they look back on 13 years of schooling and how the students have been rewarded for their efforts.

"These results are sealing students' personal goals and will be a solid foundation for their next step to further study or employment."

Executive Director Regional North and West Lisa Muir said the release of HSC merit lists today by the NSW Educational Standards Authority (NESA - which administers the HSC) has brought a whole new dimension to celebrations.

"There have been some exceptional results and everyone who has been recognised on a NESA achievement rankings list deserves special congratulations," Ms Muir said.

"I am particularly delighted with the spread of schools across the North Coast that have been noted for their achievements.

"It really highlights how our North Coast public schools focus on individual students to achieve their best across the full spectrum of abilities and aspirations."

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