Schools and parents around the region continue to celebrate the fantastic HSC results of our students with our private and boarding schools leading the way in high achievement.
PLC Armidale placed at the top of the region’s cohort of scores with the highest proportion of students in each subject to achieve a Band 6 result or a mark of 90 or above of all schools in New England.
PLC Principal Nicole Taylor says this proves the PLC advantage once more.
“Many of the girls achieved outstanding individual results, reflecting the focus, self-discipline and resilience that characterised this diverse cohort. Their achievement, individually and collectively across the subjects studied, exemplifies the culture of learning at PLC Armidale.”
While Australian Tertiary Admission Rankings (ATARS) are issued by the University Admissions Centre and are not made directly available to schools, Mrs Taylor says the college had heard back from a number of students and believed 30 per cent of the PLC Armidale company achieved an ATAR over 85, with 15 per cent achieving an ATAR over 95.
One of those students was PLC Armidale dux and matriculant Scarlett Loxley, who achieved an ATAR of 98.3 – the highest ATAR in Armidale.
Meanwhile, down the road, The Armidale School (TAS) is proudly showing off their results, with TAS Dux Henry Kirton coming away with an ATAR of 97.9.
Henry, a boarder from Walcha, who was also Senior Prefect and a cadet under officer in the TAS Cadet Unit, says he was “really, really pleased” with his results, which included Band 6s in Physics and Engineering Studies.
“Throughout the year I tried to put study above some other things and after our valedictory week, allocated ten hours a day to doing past exam papers and practice essays in the morning and revising in the afternoon, with my teachers putting in a lot of time into marking and giving me feedback,” he said.
Henry says he is considering either Engineering at the University of Sydney or Medicine at the University of Newcastle, but before that, is having a gap year working at Dragon School in Oxford, England, “which will be an amazing opportunity.” First, though, he will be representing NSW Blues at the Indoor Hockey National Championships early next month.
Other TAS students to claim ATAR’s in the 90’s includes Martin Shankland, a border from Sydney, with 95.8, Holly Daupara from Armidale with a 92.7, Thomas Tizzard from Tamworth achieved a 91.2 and Thomas Burnett from Brisbane got 90.55.
The highest individual achievement in the region belongs to Alastair Scott, the 2024 Dux of Calrossy Anglican School with a stunning 99.5 ATAR, and a world of opportunity in front of him. He was the only student of the region to make the 2024 All-Round Achiever list, earning top band results in 14 HSC units, including Chemistry, Mathematics Extension 2, Music 2, and Society and Culture. The skilled debater and accomplished musician is pursuing a career in law, and will begin that journey at one of the most prestigious law schools in the country at UNSW, as a recipient of the prestigious New College UNSW Pathway to University Access Prize.
A number of other students at Calrossy also achieved ATARs over 90, Ellie Walker with 97.85 and top bands in five subjects, Paul Sayad with 94.95, Ella Fittler scored 93.85, Jessica Haling 92.65, Vinethmi Balasuriya 92.45, Eliza Shaw 92.25, Jessica Golland 91.95, Sreeja Gopinath 91.1, and Erin Stirling 90.75.
Of the public schools, Armidale Secondary College delivered seven results above 90, topped by Layla Cooper scoring an ATAR of 96.8, closely followed by, Josephine O’Baoill with 95.75 and Marion Doak on 95.4. Sophia-Rose Markham scored 93.45, Sorena Nafari 92.55, Michi Takayama 92.45
Armidale Secondary School- Ashley Haydon ATAR 91.5
Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School is boasting several student’s excelling in the end of year exams, with House Captain Forbes Murdoch scoring a 95.55 and Harrison Mills a 90.80.
Peel High School‘s Davina Leabon scored 92.2, Oxley High School‘s Kendra Fitzpatrick scored a 91, while Narrabri High School‘s Daniel Smith achieved 93.3. Quirindi High School’s Katie Martin secured Dux with her 90.35 score, proving her commitment to the classroom as well as adding to her achievements outside of academics.
Katie’s plans for the future reflect her thoughtful, community-focused nature. Before beginning a Bachelor of Physiotherapy with Honours at the University of Newcastle in 2026, she plans to take a gap year in Italy—a chance to rest, reflect, and explore.
Long-term, she hopes to work as a paediatric physiotherapist or travel to rural communities, providing healthcare to those who need it most.
“Balancing work, study, and community has taught me how to build relationships with a wide range of people,” Katie said.
“That’s something I’ll carry into the future.”
Did we miss someone who received an ATAR of 90 or more? Let us know and we can add them to our list.
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