2021 NSW HSC students who came first in course

They’re the bright sparks who managed to top their course in the HSC despite a disruptive lead up to the exams. See the full list of high flyers. See the full list.

The names of the 139 students who came first in their course in the NSW HSC has been revealed, with subjects ranging from traditional chemistry and history to Dutch and dance

On Wednesday, Premier Dominic Perrottet congratulated students on their outstanding results, achieved despite two challenging years.

“To top the state in an HSC course is an incredible achievement at the best of times; to do so today highlights even more so the grit, dedication and talent of the students being recognised,” Mr Perrottet said.

About 76,000 HSC students who sat at least one exam in 2021 will receive their results by SMS, email and online from 6am on Thursday.

Isobel Kinnear, from The Illawarra Grammar School at Wollongong West, came first in Dacne and Cian Buo-Jren Bowes, from Sydney Grammar School in Darlinghurst, who was first in French Extension, German Extension and German Continuers. Picture: Richard Dobson

Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said 149 certificates would be presented to 139 students, with nine topping more than one course.

“The future looks so bright for the inspiring young people who we will celebrate today, and for all HSC students who showed great perseverance and resilience in their final years of school,” Ms Mitchell said

“Combined with their abilities and skills, f-first-in-course recipients have shown what can be achieved when there is a real commitment to learning – a quality which will hold them in good stead for the future.

Elsa Tonkinwise, Ancient History

MLC Burwood student Elsa Tonkinwise was floored to learn she topped the state in ancient history, despite shunning STEM subjects to dedicate her studies to the humanities.

“I was utterly surprised because I had long regarded the people who came first in courses as an impossible objective and it was very overwhelming to get that news and I didn’t know what to think,’’ the Russell Lea resident said.

Miss Tonkinwise lauded her ancient history teacher Vicky Zinopoulos for helping her achieve the stellar result.

“It’s really satisfying to know that I did well in a course that I really appreciate under a teacher I really appreciate,’’ she said.

Along with ancient history, Miss Tonkinwise studied advanced and extended English, French continuers and extension and Latin continuers and extension.

“I lived in the US for most of my life and I picked Latin up on a whim in Year 7 out of a selection of Spanish, French and Latin and continued it in Australia.’’

An aspiring editor at a publishing firm, Miss Tonkinwise managed to overcome the hurdles of studying through the pandemic.

“It was difficult in that it was so protracted,’’ she said.

“While it gave us more time it also mean there was some intense wait for the dreaded day. This year we had this lacuna between school times and exams.’’

Charlotte McKenzie, History Extension

Charlotte McKenzie came first in NSW for history extension in the 2021 HSC.

History buff Charlotte McKenzie still cannot believe she placed first in her course, which saw her dedicate a project to assassinated US president JFK, exploring his life from “golden hero” to examining his flaws, from political vices to personal scandals.

“I had no idea what was going on when I got a call from NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) on Sunday.

“I was in the middle of a beach walk. I was shaking, I had knots in my stomach, I was like ‘far out’.”

Like her siblings, the Smiths Hill High School student has taken after her father, who is a high school human society in its environment teacher, much to the dismay of her mum who is a science teacher.

“On top of that, I’ve loved going to museums and loved learning about the past, particularly about World War history,’’ she said.

“I’ve always loved delving into the past to see what the foundations are of what we have now. I’m always more at home with humanities and English subjects.’’

Miss McKenzie, of Bulli, has been accepted into the University of Wollongong to study a Bachelor of Psychology and her dream is to become a clinical child’s psychologist.

Oliver Wells, Construction Examination

Aquinas Catholic College student Oliver Wells was the second student from his Menai school to top the state in Construction Examination, with classmate Brock Wilson also coming first in the course.

“I did woodwork in Year 9 and 10, and from there I did construction in Year 11 and 12 and going forward I want to do construction management,’’ Mr Wells said.

“I think it’s very practical and straight forward and it’s very rewarding to make something.’’

The Bangor resident has been accepted into UTS to study construction management.

Brock Wilson came equal first in his construction course.

Fellow Aquinas College student also topped the state in construction.

FULL LIST OF STUDENTS BY REGION

Albury

Ian Burton, Xavier High School at North Albury, Science Extension

Auburn Raneem Emad, Ai-Faisal College, Arabic Continuers

Ballina

Grace Frances Ashford, Byron Bay High School, Indonesian

Balmain

Therese Briganti, International Grammar School at Ultimo, Chinese Continuers and French Beginners

Jamison Power, International Grammar School, Spanish Continuers

Bankstown

Faeza Karimi, Chester Hill High School, Persian Continuers

Styliani Koliris, St Euphemia College at Bankstown, Modern Greek Continuers

Konstantinos Zisopoulos, St Euphemia College, Modern Greek Extension

Elena Stojcevski, Business Studies East Hills Girls’ Technology High School at Panania

Ting Jun Liang, Secondary College of Languages Birrong Boys’ Campus, Chinese in Context

Princess Marcos, Secondary College of Languages Bankstown Girls’ Campus, Filipino Continuers

Christina Solyom,Bankstown Girls’ Campus, Hungarian Continuers Secondary College of Languages

Baulkham Hills

Luchith Yahan Thenuwara, Baulkham Hills High School, Mathematics Extension 2

Blacktown

Ayeshah Baig, Mitchell High School at Blacktown, German Beginners

Trisha Shaileshbhai Pathak, St Andrew’s College at Marayong, Information and Digital Technology

Cabramatta

Lisa David, Cabramatta High School, Khmer Continuers

Camden

Lucrecia Carter, St Benedict’s Catholic College, St Benedict’s Catholic College at Oran Park, Design and Technology

Campbelltown

Toby Harland, John Therry Catholic College at Rosemeadow, Visual Arts

Canterbury

Huong Tra Pham, Kingsgrove North High School, Vietnamese Continuers

Roaa Ahmed, Beverly Hills Girls’ High School, Arabic Extension

Thi Hong Thu Nguyen, Kingsgrove North High School, Chinese Beginners

Castle Hill

Akane Kunita, Castle Hill High School, Japanese and literature

Sarah Wilson, The Hills Grammar School at Kenthurst, Geography

Coogee

Billie Coughlan, St Catherine’s School at Waverley, English Advanced

Leon Palacio, Waverley College, Spanish Beginners

Davidson

Guy Ashkenazy, Killara High School, Modern Hebrew Continuers

Emma Vogel, Roseville College, Food Technology

Dubbo

Abram John Liddell, St Johns College at Dubbo East, Electrotechnology

Epping

Hannah Cook, Oakhill College, Studies of Religion II

Sofia Guastini, Cheltenham Girls’ High School, Aboriginal studies

Piper Stenz, Arden Anglican School (Beecroft), Industrial Technology

Fairfield

Daania Alameddine, Fairvale High School, Community and Family Studies

Brent Macaraeg, Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield, Italian Beginners

Melissa Ly Tiev, Bonnyrigg High School, Chinese Beginners

Gosford

Bodhi Joel McNally, Gosford High School, Investigating Science

Granville

Sophie Vo, Cerdon College at Merrylands, Business Services

Heathcote

Oliver Wells, Aquinas Catholic College at Menai, Construction

Brock Wilson, Aquinas Catholic College, Construction

Heffron

Sarfaraz Syed Ahmed, Sydney Boys’ High School, Mathematics Advanced

Rachit Saini, Sydney Boys’ High School, Hindi Continuers

Diana Vlahos, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College at Kensington, Biology

Shanni Yehuda, Sydney Girls’ High School, Latin Continuers

Hanyang Zheng, Sydney Boys’ High School, Mathematics Extension

Holsworthy

Katherine Coffey, Shire Christian School, Barden Ridge, Music 1

Philo Daoud, St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox College at Wattle Grove, Mathematics Extension 1

Nyla Hussein, Amity College Prestons Campus, Business Services

Leila Safi, Amity College, Prestons Campus, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

Dilara Turk, Amity College, Prestons Campus, Turkish Continuers

Hornsby

Joseph Clemmit, Northholm Grammar School, Arcadia, Music 2

Jessica Niu,Hornsby Girls’ High School, Legal Studies

Patrick Seungjun Kang, Normanhurst Boys’ High School, Japanese Continuers

Kiama

Ella Johansson, Kiama High School, Swedish Continuers

Kogarah

Corina Choy, Bethany College, Mathematics Standard 1 Examination

Anika Popovic, Blakehurst High School, Serbian Continuers

Ku-ring-gai

Annabella Chen, Abbotsleigh Music 2, Music Extension

Kate Teresa Chipman, Hornsby Girls’ High School, Modern History

Serenna Di Bello, Pymble Ladies’ College, Food Technology

Rachel Halliday Shand, Ravenswood School for Girls at Gordon, English Advanced

Patrick Seungjun Kang, Normanhurst Boys’ High School, Japanese Continuers

Lucy Koder, Abbotsleigh, Economics

Matteo Persechino, St Leo’s Catholic College, Wahroonga, Drama

Joanne Yi, Loreto Normanhurst, Korean in Context

Lake Macquarie

Caleb Baker, St Paul’s Catholic College at Booragul, Retail Services

Lakemba

Roaa Ahmed, Beverly Hills Girls’ High School, Arabic Extension

Lismore

Miranda Quantrill, Mount St Patrick College at Murwillumbah, Music 1

Macquarie Fields

Moksh Bhatia, Hurlstone Agricultural High School at Glenfield, Investigating Science

Maitland

Lucy Saywell, Hunter Valley Grammar School at Ashtonfield, English Extension 2

Manly

Alysha Airey, Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus, Japanese Extension

Andre Stefan Mitchell, Northern Beaches Secondary College Manly Campus, Physics

Esme Sergi; Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus; Tourism, Travel and Events

Zoe Lumby, St Luke’s Grammar School at Dee Why, Design and Technology

Maroubra

Mary Diamond,St Spyridon College at Maroubra, Music 1

Newcastle

Delta Jarrah Hateley, Merewether High School, Earth and Environmental Science

Matthew Macdougall, Newcastle Grammar School, Engineering Studies

Sophie Loiselle,Society and Culture, Merewether High School

Newtown

Madeleine Grisard, Fort Street High School at Petersham, French Beginners

George Papacosta, NSW School of Languages (Petersham), Modern Greek Beginners

Gordon Huang, Fort Street High School, Mathematics Advanced

Yana Strakhova, Newtown High School of Performing Arts, Russian Continuers

Jovanka Lim, NSW School of Languages (Petersham),Indonesian and Literature, Indonesian Extension

Airi Sugahara,NSW School of Languages (Petersham), Japanese in Context

North Shore

Lydia Mae Colla, Loreto Kirribilli, Mathematics Advanced

Sumedha Deo, North Sydney Girls’ High School at Crows Nest, Hindi Continuers

Ginger Fitzhardinge, Wenona School North Sydney, Drama

Tara Thai, Brigidine College St Ives, Drama

Ravi Mavila, North Sydney Boys’ High School, Information Processes and Technology

Karina Xichun Kuang,Willoughby Girls’ High School, Mathematics Advanced

Max David Leo, St Pius X College at Chatswood, Mathematics Advanced

Milena Grigoryan,Secondary College of Languages Chatswood Campus, Armenian Continuers

Jerry Zhang, North Sydney Boys High School, Indonesian Continuers

Akane Kunita,Secondary College of Languages Chatswood Campus, Japanese and Literature

Parramatta

Marta Abicic, Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta, Croatian Continuers

Sarah Park, Redeemer Baptist School at North Parramatta Korean and Literature

Kevin Wang, The King’s School at North Parramatta, Mathematics Advanced

Oscar Dong, James Ruse Agricultural High School at Carlingford, Agriculture

Port Macquarie

Thomas Crundwell, St Columba Anglican School at Port Macquarie, Software Design and Development

Kashia McGrath,MacKillop College Port Macquarie, Studies of Religion I

Prospect

Lovisha Gangwani, Nagle College, Punjabi Continuers

Michelle Ung, Prairiewood High School, English Advanced

Seven Hills

Harkirat Singh, Secondary College of Languages The Hills Sports Campus (Seven Hills), Punjabi Continuers

Cedric Castelino, Parramatta Marist High School, Mathematics Standard 2

Rockdale

Isabella Brambilla Vieira, Moorefield Girls High School at Kogarah, Portuguese Continuers

Strathfield

Jeongchan Ahn, Homebush Boys’ High School, Korean in Context

Rena TangLin, Meriden School at Strathfield, Music 2

Rene Tay, Burwood Girls’ High School, Korean Continuers

Elsa Tonkinwise, MLC School at Burwood, Ancient History

Minxi Zheng,Meriden School, English EAL/D, Japanese Beginners

Skye Rodgers, Presbyterian Ladies’ College Sydney at Croydon, Food Technology

Sydney

Cian Buo-Jren Bowes, Sydney Grammar School at Darlinghurst, German Extension, German Continuers, French Extension

Kleopatra Calfas, SCEGGS Darlinghurst, Modern Greek Beginners

Ethan Choy, Sydney Grammar School, Chinese Extension

Isander Mesimeris; Sydney Grammar School; Classical Greek Continuers, Classical Greek Extension

Aidan Woo, Sydney Grammar School, Latin Extension

Ryan Lee, Sydney Boys’ High School (Moore Park), Chemistry

Zhongyu Wang, Macquarie Grammar School, Mathematic Advanced

Jim Roelands, Tutor, Dutch Continuers

Sumedha Deo, outside tutor, Hindi Continuers

Rachit Saini,outside tutor, Hindi Continuers

Riley Landfear,Sydney Grammar School, Italian Continuers, Italian Extension

Tweed

Wolff Jadzia, Kingscliff High School, Drama

Vaucluse

Emma Gwenaelle Briand, Kincoppal, Rose Bay School of the Sacred Heart French Continuers

Harris Lachlan, Cranbrook School at Bellevue Hill, Mathematics Advanced

Marcin Konczyk, Rose Bay Secondary College, Polish Continuers

Talia Aviva Machet, Reddam House at Woollahra, Dance

Shoshana Spielman; Kesser Torah College at Dover Heights; Classical Hebrew Continuers,

Classical Hebrew Extension

Miao Wang, Reddam House, Chinese and Literature

Scarlett Pellegrini, St Catherine’s School Waverley, English Standard

Lachlan Harris, Cranbrook School, Mathematics Advanced

Wakehurst

Luke Morley, St Augustine’s College Sydney at Brookvale, Mathematics Standard 2

Carmen Brisson, SCECGS Redlands at Cremorne, Spanish Extension

Yijun Yan, Killarney Heights High School, Software Design and Development

Willoughby

Gabrielle Drage, SCECGS Redlands, Textiles and Design

Wollongong

Isobel Kinnear, The Illawarra Grammar School, Dance

Charlotte McKenzie, Smiths Hill High School at Wollongong, History Extension

Emma Watson, St Columba’s Catholic College Springwood, Primary Industries Examination

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