More than 200 Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS) HSC graduates and VET students have been recognised by SCS’ Executive Director, Tony Farley, at a gala ceremony in Sydney. 

The system’s first combined Executive Director’s Excellence in HSC and VET Awards ceremony was held last night at the International Convention Centre. It was also live streamed on the centre’s website.

The awards recognise the amazing achievements of SCS students in 2021, in either the Higher School Certificate (HSC) or Vocational Education and Training (VET).

Speakers on the night included Mr Farley and  SCS’ Director of Education and Research, Dr Kate O’Brien.

Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights alumna Keisha Sta Barbara, who was the top SCS student in the HSC Music 1 examination, provided a musical performance for the audience.

 SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS

The principals of St Clare’s College Waverley and Trinity Catholic College Auburn accepted awards on behalf of their schools, which had outstanding results in the 2021 HSC.

St Clare’s was the highest-placed SCS secondary school in the Sydney Morning Herald’s top 150 secondary schools rankings, coming in 29th in NSW.

Trinity had the biggest ranking improvement of any SCS school, climbing 191 spots up the state ladder.

HSC FIRST IN STATE

Eight SCS students who ranked first in the entire state in a 2021 HSC subject  were also recognised on the night. They were:

  • Tony Khattar: Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton (Construction – tied)
  • Brock Wilson: Aquinas Catholic College Menai (Construction – tied)
  • Oliver Wells: Aquinas Catholic College Menai (Construction – tied)
  • Jovanka Lim: Bethany College Hurstville (Indonesian and Literature)
  • Brent Macaraeg: Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield (Italian Beginners)
  • Corina Choy: Bethany College Hurstville (Mathematics Standard 1)
  • Christina Solyom: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington (Hungarian Continuers)
  • Diana Vlahos: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington (Biology)

VET MAJOR AWARDS

Maria-Rosa Pino, from Bethlehem College Ashfield, received a special award on the night. She was named VET Student of the Year.

Maria-Rosa, who studied VET subjects at Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood, was recognised for her outstanding performance in four courses: a school-based apprentice in Hairdressing, and excellent achievement in Business Services, Retail Services and Information Digital Technology.

The following students were also honoured for excellent achievement in VET in 2021, across seven key areas:

  • Business and Finance: Muayad Al-Yousuf (Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook)
  • Community Services: Elizabeth Praum (Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood and Bethlehem College Ashfield)
  • Creative Industries: Emily Becker (St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove)
  • Service Industries: Chiara Amitrano (De La Salle Catholic College Cronulla)
  • Technical Trades: Christian Manca (Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton)
  • School Based Apprentice: Liam Kiss (De La Salle Catholic College Cronulla)
  • School Based Trainee: Dayman O’Brien (St John Bosco College Engadine)

WORLD SKILLS STUDENTS

Students who excelled in the 2021 World Skills competition were also recognised. They included the 2021 WorldSkills National Finalists (NSW Team), consisting of:

  • Tony Ashkar: Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield (Automotive Mechanical)
  • Sarah Giardina: Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood (Information Technology)
  • Angus Gordon: De La Salle Catholic College Cronulla (Construction)
  • Keyannah Mercer: Clancy Catholic College West Hoxton (Commercial Cookery)
  • Zac Zamprogno: Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook (Automotive Mechanical)
  • Michael Dawson: Good Samaritan Catholic College Hinchinbrook (Electrotechnology)
  • Ashli Gabriel: Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood (Hairdressing)
  • Kloe Kassis: Southern Cross Catholic College Burwood (Hairdressing) 

FIRST IN HSC COURSE, ACHIEVEMENT IN VET COURSE & DILIGENCE IN VET COURSE

Other students across SCS’ system of 33 secondary schools were honoured with awards in the following three categories:

  • First in a HSC course: awarded to the student with the highest HSC mark of any student in any school from within our system of schools;
  • Achievement in a Vocational Education and Training course: awarded to those students who reached the highest level of attainment in that course; and
  • Diligence in a Vocational Education and Training course: awarded to those students who demonstrated persistence, engagement and continuous growth.

Click on the button below for the full list of award recipients.