Loreto Kirribilli student tops state in HSC religion studies

Student Laura Ferguson kept getting a call from a mysterious number ahead of her HSC results. When she finally answered it turned out to be a huge surprise.

Loreto Kirribilli student Laura Ferguson celebrated a great HSC result. Picture: Jonathan Ng

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A phone call from Premiere Gladys Berejiklian was a huge surprise for a talented Loreto student.

Laura Ferguson placed first in the state for Studies of Religion II and initially didn’t answer the call from the mysterious number.

“I kept getting a call from a number I didn’t recognise and so I didn’t answer it but then I finally did after a few days and it was Gladys Berejiklian and she told me I had come top in the state for religion,” Laura said.

“I couldn’t believe it. I went to the award ceremony and that was really cool just being with a group of like-minded people.”

Teacher Kristy Ferguson, student Laura Ferguson, Principal Anna Dickinson and religious studies co-ordinator Christina Ryan. Picture: Supplied

With news that she achieved an ATAR of 99.8, an excited Laura was also named Dux of the school.

Recipient of the Tuckwell Scholarship that secures her placement in the medical entry pathway, guaranteeing her a spot in postgraduate medicine pathway at ANU starting in 2019, Laura has had a busy year fulfilling her School Captain duties. Alongside studying she was involved in debating, hockey, tennis and music ensembles.

“My fear about being School Captain was that it could jeopardise my HSC marks but now I think that it was the very thing that got me to where I am,” she said.

“I really didn’t give myself any downtime, apart from seeing my friends, and if you never give yourself those pauses then you just keep gunning it.”

The Loreto Kirribilli Class of 2018. Picture: Supplied

With an ATAR of 99.8, Laura is considering her further education options and while the plan has always been to study Law and postgraduate Medicine, she is also interested in politics. She is looking forward to a well-earned rest and catching up with friends over the next few weeks.

“The HSC really brought the year group at Loreto together and people genuinely wanted others to succeed and that has been the highlight of the year for me.

“Being School Captain was about so much more than being in the role in a formal capacity. It was a great experience about balancing life and being able to communicate effectively and it certainly built up my confidence. It was just a great experience.”

This year Loreto ranked third among Catholic schools in NSW and 39th in the state. Three students achieved an ATAR of over 99, while almost half achieved over 90.

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