HSC results 2022: Full list of all-rounders revealed, top tips for academic success

Only 48 HSC students across NSW emerged with a coveted 99.95 ATAR in 2022 — Maria Yang is one of them. She and all-round achiever friend Phoebe reveal their secrets.

Ravenswood Girls HSC achievers: (L-R) twins Mia and Michelle Xu, Natalie Pitcher, Lucy Walsh, Phoebe Xu and Maria Yang. Picture: Tim Hunter

More than 1400 graduates of the HSC class of 2022 figured out the secret to academic success and were named in the all-round achievers list after nailing all their courses.

These young geniuses managed to score in the top band — either Band 6 or Band E4 — in all 10 units of study that comprised their final HSC results.

The girls narrowly edged out the boys, with 712 female students making the list compared to 700 males.

Academically selective public school James Ruse had 86 all-rounders, the most of any school. Sydney Grammar School in Darlinghurst came in second with 59, and North Sydney Boys High School came close with 53.

Ravenswood School for Girls on Sydney’s upper north shore produced five all-rounders in 2022, including oboe prodigy Phoebe Xu and academic powerhouse Maria Yang, who was one of only 48 students in the state to earn a 99.95 ATAR.

Ravenswood Girls High School’s star HSC students (L-R) Maria Yang, Phoebe Xu, Lucy Walsh, twins Mia and Michelle Xu, and Natalie Pitcher. Picture: Tim Hunter

Phoebe said she started playing the oboe after being “peer pressured” to take up a second instrument, having started on the piano. She has now received offers to study at the Royal College of Music in London, and Royal Academy of Music in London.

Maria said finding out she had achieved a 99.95 ATAR was “so surreal” — she had aimed for a mere 98.

“It took a while for it to sink in,” she said.

“It’s something I never thought I’d achieve.”

She intends to take up actuarial studies and make her way to the board of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

The pair of friends let readers of The Daily Telegraph in on their top tips for becoming a Jack of all trades in the HSC.

MARIA YANG’S SECRETS TO SUCCESS

Maria Yang, 99.95 ATAR student. Picture: Tim Hunter

“Do not be afraid to put in the hard work”: I firmly believe hard work is what’s going to get a student the mark they want.

“Know your strengths”: There’s no point in choosing a subject that you’re not good at purely because of scaling, or whether it’s a prestigious subject or not.

“Use the feedback from your teachers”: I was really fortunate because I had a great relationship with all my teachers, who provided me with constant feedback, and I was able to get drafts to them. Some kids might be a bit afraid of that, but (criticism) is the best thing that’s going to get you to improve to the next grade, the next band.

PHOEBE XU’S HSC TOP TIPS

Phoebe Xu, musical prodigy and all-round achiever. Picture: Tim Hunter

“Share a support system”: During the HSC Maria and I would discuss some of the ideas and concepts we’d learned in class, especially in English and maths.

“Involve yourself in extra-curricular activities”. Although they might not seem directly connected to your academic studies, the extra-curricular activities really enrich your life, and enrich your understanding of the world as a whole. That’s what makes you an all-rounder.

Zayn Boulad was recognised for his success at an official ceremony in Sydney on Wednesday.

The Alpha Omega Senior College student was recognised as the state’s top achiever in English Standard but also achieved band sixes in each of his other courses.

“My parents are so proud, my mum actually teared up and started crying. It was beautiful,” Zayn said.

Zayn Boulad from Alpha Omega Senior College achieved top marks in every single one of his subjects for the 2022 HSC. Picture: Tim Hunter

Zayn’s path to success was made that more difficult by his upbringing in background with a non-English speaking background.

The 18-year-old said his story proves all the stereotypes about Western Sydney and its migrant communities wrong, and that academic achievement isn’t predicated on your first language.

“It doesn’t matter where you came from,” he said.

NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell congratulated students on their 2022 HSC results. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the fact more than a thousand young people had aced subjects across the board was “incredible”.

“The fact that they have performed so well is a complete testament to them and their hard work,” she said.

“They’re smart, they’re humble, they’re passionate. For us as adults, it’s such a lovely thing to see that the next generation coming through are bright, articulate young people who show a passion for their education.”