18 Dec 2017
At Coffs Harbour High, Captains Hugh Churchwell and Matilda Lugg led the way with wonderful HSC results. Dux, with an ATAR in the high nineties, Hugh intends to study aeronautical engineering, probably in Canada. Matilda had the highest number of mentions on the Distinguished Achievers list: Modern History, Extension History, Society and Culture and General Mathematics.
Students who earnt a place on the NESA Distinguished Acheivers Honour Roll were: Tegan Austin, Hugh Churchwell, Angus Croak (Year 10), Kate Knight, Matilda Lugg, Sarah Parry, Hannah Rose, Brandon Skewes, Robert South, Donovan Taylor, Troy Wallekers and Marcus Woschitzka.
(Kate Knight, Hannah Rose and Tilly Lugg celebrating their results at the breakfast celebration)
At a breakfast celebration at school last Friday there were beaming faces all around, both students and teachers. Brandon Skewes was thrilled to be awarded a University of Newcastle scholarship, the same one awarded to his sister Tiffany two years ago. Kate Knight has already been notified that she has been accepted into her first preference, a double degree of Commerce/Media at the University of NSW, and has been offered a prestigious scholarship from the School of Business.
(Brandon Skewes and Donovan Taylor at the celebration breakfast)
There are many wonderful stories with so many students fulfilling long held dreams. Examples include Kodi Graham who has been accepted into the Royal Military College at Duntroon and Aboriginal student Kiara Bale who is about to embark on a pre-medicine program at UNSW. Kiara was one of seven Aboriginal students to complete Year 12.
Principal Patti Kearns noted that the 2017 cohort were outstanding citizens who worked cooperatively, achieved academically and had high levels of success in sport and the Arts. Their commitment to the school was typified by them returning to school after their HSC exams to work with younger students on a complete makeover, including landscaping and artwork, of one of the schools courtyards.
For many students, 2018 will mean heading off to university or TAFE, while for others it will mean work or perhaps a gap year. Regardless of the path ahead, we wish every student all the best as they step into the future.