News | September 19, 2023 (Originally Published January 10, 2021)

Catholic school students top the state in 16 HSC subjects in 2020

Catholic school students top the state in 16 HSC subjects in 2020

Catholic school students achieved outstanding results in this year’s Higher School Certificate exams, with 15 students receiving First in Course awards for 16 subjects.

Catholic Schools NSW Chief Executive Officer said these students should be especially proud of their achievements this year.

“These students should feel a real sense of accomplishment from their efforts this year, completing the HSC in a year like no other.”

He added that all students who completed their HSC this year have not only gained a valuable credential, but would be well placed to manage other challenges in the years ahead.

“This has been a challenging year but you should be proud of the way you have navigated these challenges,” Mr McInerney said.

He “These impressive first in course results are a testimony to the outstanding efforts of all students, their teachers and their families.”

“On behalf of the Catholic sector, I also extend my congratulations to students in all school sectors for their outstanding achievements.”

Mr McInerney also said that he was grateful for NESA’s handling of the HSC this year.

“The HSC is a world recognised, end of school credential and I’m pleased that NESA was able to maintain the integrity of the exams, they should be congratulated” he said.

Catholic schools NSW represents the state’s 599 Catholic schools and their 255,000 students. 201217_MR_Catholic school students top the state in 16 HSC subjects in 2020

The Brother John Taylor Fellowship is offered annually to an educator with a capacity and passion for research into a priority or challenge facing Catholic education.

The Fellowship, presented by Catholic Schools NSW (Catholic Schools New South Wales), aims to encourage and facilitate academic study by people dedicated to Catholic education.

Catholic Schools New South Wales will fund your travel, accommodation and research for up to six weeks. You will work with a mentor to write your research and have it published for the teaching profession.

The successful Fellow’s research will be published for the teaching profession, helping to build a rigorous body of work over time that makes a valuable contribution to Catholic teaching.

To read the winning submissions from previous years click here

Information For Applicants

Applications are invited from people involved in Catholic school education as either employees of schools or associated organisations.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate:

  • evidence that they will be able to successfully complete and report on the proposed research/investigation
  • support for the application from their current employer
  • referees who may be contacted by Catholic Schools New South Wales
  • a current contract which commits them to employment of at least five years with Catholic school education

Applicants must outline a project that will require travel within Australia or overseas, or a combination of both.

It must specify how the project addresses current priorities and challenges in Catholic education in the short to medium term.

The program of research and travel (of up to six weeks) must show evidence of prior research and the identification of key individuals and sites to be visited.

The application must be made using the online form.

Selection Process

All applications will be evaluated by the Fellowship Board which will shortlist candidates who have met the criteria outlined above.

Each short-listed applicant will be interviewed by the Board to enable a ranking to be developed.

The highest ranked candidate’s referees will be contacted to confirm details in the application.

The successful Fellow will be announced in December at an event hosted by Catholic Schools New South Wales.

Mentor

The successful Fellow will be assigned a mentor, chosen by the Board in consultation with the Fellow.

The task of the mentor is to guide the Fellow in the implementation of the project and support the report’s preparation and production.

To find out more, contact us here

The Fellowship

Background

The Brother John Taylor Fellowship grew out of the Brother John Taylor Award for Excellence in Catholic Education, offered annually by Catholic Education Commission NSW (CECNSW) since 1995.

Past recipients are listed here.

In 2014, the award was refocused as the Brother John Taylor Fellowship to stimulate research and encourage innovation in Catholic teaching.

Brother John Taylor cfc (1929-1993)

Brother John Taylor was Executive Director of Catholic Schools New South Wales’s predecessor body, Catholic Education Commission NSW, from 1984 until his death in 1993.

A Christian Brother, he was also a member of the NSW Board of Studies, the National Catholic Education Commission and the Commonwealth Schools Council during this period.

He had a key role in the development, organisation and management of Australian Catholic schools across three decades.

In particular, he played an important part in the development of the Higher School Certificate, and had a strong influence on science teaching in Catholic schools and on curriculum generally.

John’s career included teaching at the Christian Brother Juniorate at Strathfield and at Waverley College, Principal of St Paul’s Manly and Deputy Provincial of his Congregation.

As teacher, principal and administrator, John Taylor was respected as a man of high ideals, simple taste and powerful intellect. As a colleague, he was admired and loved for his personality, his deep commitment and his genuine affection and concern.