Western Sydney high schools punch above their weight in HSC

You won’t find this school on any of the top 10 lists and it’s among the lowest socio-economic schools in NSW – but ­Jamison High School is still making incredible headway with students.

You won’t find this school on any of the top 10 lists and it’s among the lowest socio-economic schools in NSW – but ­Jamison High School is still making incredible headway with students.

While HSC performance lists were this week dominated by affluent schools in the city, eastern suburbs and north shore, across Western Sydney and regional NSW a number of schools also achieved record results.

At Jamison High in Penrith, the school recorded some of its best results on record, and its first “all rounder”, as well as recording 18 band sixes, the top HSC band – the most in the school’s history.

Three students scored an ATAR above 95, including Jade Busst with 99.1.

“We have the kids, we have the community and the parents’ support – when those three things come together, magic happens,” said principal Glyn Trethewy.

Jade Busst from Jamison High School, received Band 6s for all her subjects and achieved a 99+ ATAR. The first such student from Jamison High to do so. Picture: John Appleyard

“It means we have had an outstanding student. In my time here as a principal we haven’t had a student on the all around achiever list. It’s a testament to Jade’s ability, hard work and but also the way the staff have worked with her to nurture that time and grow that talent.”

For Mr Trethewy the success comes from understanding these kids and their backgrounds.

“When we design an initiative for our school, it is tailored to the needs of our kids. We have seen an increase in the quality of tasks.”

As for Jade, she is still in shock. “I had a 98 on the back of my door. I felt like that was pretty unrealistic for me. But then when I got the results, I was like: ‘Oh, maybe it wasn’t so unrealistic’,” she said.

“I think what also helped me was I didn’t have that pressure. The private school kids all have the pressure to get 90s but my mum didn’t put pressure on me with whatever I wanted to do.”

A half-hour drive away, at Richmond High School, also at the foot of the Blue Mountains, the school recorded its best performance on record with four distinguished achievers.

In the mountains, Blaxland High School recorded 25 band sixes, meaning one fifth of their students achieved the top score. Meanwhile, Katoomba High School saw one of its students achieve first-in-course for German Beginners – a first “first” for the school.

Other record breaking feats include Granville Boys High School jumping 140 places up in overall rankings, while Blacktown Girls High School achieved 71 band sixes, another record for the school.

Education Minister Prue Car, who is also Minister for Western Sydney, said there had been some phenomenal HSC results across the state, with plenty of high achievers from Western Sydney.

“Western Sydney schools are full of bright and dedicated students and amazing teachers, and I see this every time I visit schools in the area,” she said.

“Hardworking students and passionate teachers are always a recipe for success, and they should all be so proud of what they’ve ­achieved.”

WE HAD TO FAKE IT, NOW WE’VE MADE IT

Comment by Emily Kowal

I vividly recall my HSC English classes. Sitting in a hot and stuffy demountable classroom in Western Sydney, as kangaroos and emus walked past our school fence, we were told that the only way to achieve success in our creative writing pieces and essays, was to fake it.

Our English teacher, a terrifying and formidable woman, delivered the news bluntly. “You are going up against kids who go to $40,000 a year schools. You are from Penrith.” She scolded our writing that lacked social capital.

She showed us the essays of the top performers. Eloquently crafted pieces discussing things I had never heard of, filled with truisms written in French, insightful observations made about worlds and countries I didn’t know existed. Most people in my class hadn’t left the country. Some hadn’t left the state.

At times we felt ashamed, about our lack of experience. But most of the times we shrugged our shoulders. It was just the way it was. Instead, we faked it.

Sitting in my Penrith bedroom, I wrote a piece sprinkled with subtle references to the opera, or a prima ballerina dancing to Tchaikovsky – things I had never seen, and am yet to see or experience.

If I could do it again, I would ditch the references. Instead, I would pepper my essays with flavours of the West. I would write about the afternoons spent at Penrith train station. We would race to the local McDonalds, where if we had enough, we would buy a 30 cent soft serve, licking it while we baked under the sun. I’d write about Scotty, a 43-year-old severely autistic man who would board our bus every day and tell me to treasure my mother, as his had passed.

In recent days, coverage has been dominated by stories of kids from affluent schools. These kids worked hard and deserve their praise. But similar praise needs to be given to the kids who did the same – without the high price tag.