From Strathfield to Skennars Head: 35 First in Class recipients for 26 Catholic schools across the state

MEDIA RELEASE: From Strathfield to Skennars Head: 35 First in Class recipients for 26 Catholic schools across the state

35 students from 26 Catholic schools across NSW have received First in Class (FIC) honours for the 2022 HSC, an increase of over 30 per cent from last year. The schools represent a wide geographic range, including Forbes, Mount Druitt, Hamilton, Port Macquarie and Skennars Head.

The FIC subjects also represent a diverse range, including Ancient History, Visual Arts, Food Technology, Music 2 and Studies of Religion I. Three students received two FIC awards and four FIC awards were in mathematics: two for Mathematics Standard 1 Examination (equal top score), one for Mathematics Standard 2 and one for Mathematics Advanced.

This year also featured the inaugural Minister’s commendation awards to acknowledge individuals or schools that have demonstrated great resilience. 14 schools in flood-affected regions of NSW were recognised, including the following Catholic schools: Trinity Catholic College, Lismore, Saint John’s College, Woodlawn, Bede Polding College, South Windsor, and Xavier Catholic College, Skennars Head.

Of particular note is Lucia Pilgrim from Xavier Catholic College who achieved a FIC in French Continuers. Earlier this year, and with only 30 minutes’ notice, students from Xavier Catholic College at Skennars Head helped convert their classrooms into makeshift hospital wards after flood waters forced evacuations at Ballina District Hospital. Year 12 students would help move medical equipment and transfer 55 patients to the new makeshift hospital before learning that their school would also become an evacuation centre.

Catholic Schools NSW CEO, Mr Dallas McInerney, commended this year’s students on their FIC awards and the schools that received the Minister’s commendation awards.

“Congratulations to all students who received a First in Course; it is an immense accomplishment to come first in a HSC subject.”

“To the schools that received the Minister’s commendation award, it is a great recognition of your tireless efforts in a difficult year.”

“A special mention must be given to Lucia Pilgrim for her First in Course for French Continuers in what must have been a very trying time for herself, Xavier College and the wider community. Lucia’s achievement is one of many woven into the larger tapestry of Catholic school students achieving excellent HSC results in 2022.”

“It is also pleasing to see 26 Catholic schools represented and from a wide geographic range, including Mount Druitt, Port Macquarie, Hamilton, Forbes and Skennars Head.”

The full list of Catholic school FIC recipients and their respective schools can be viewed here.

Catholic Schools NSW represents the state’s 594 Catholic Schools and 263,000 Students.