Parramatta HSC rankings 2020: Results across the region

After a tough year, a popular selective school held on to its number 1 spot in the HSC rankings while a public high school shed its reputation and soared up the list. See how your school performed.

Joanne Vella

@Parramatta_News

3 min read

January 25, 2021 - 9:14AM

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Muirfield High School has jumped up the ranks. Picture: Google Maps

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James Ruse Agricultural High School at Carlingford has retained its number one spot for best performing high schools in the HSC last year, while Muirfield High School at North Rocks has recorded the best result for most improved school in the region.

Our exclusive HSC ranking table shows how high schools in the Cumberland and Parramatta areas compared to 2019 results.

Co-educational public school, Muirfield, leapt the rankings by 80 places after ranking 270th in 2019 to improve to 190th last year.

The colossal upgrade marks a transformation at the school, which is consigning its poor reputation to the history books.

Parramatta councillor and North Rocks resident Andrew Jefferies, who graduated from Muirfield in 1994 when the school copped a bad rap for its casual approach, said it opened in 1975 and was modelled on a US school — with no bells or uniforms.

“Muirfield had no school uniform for its first 20 years and rightly or wrongly, that was probably perceived negatively in an area that is generally conservative in its makeup,’’ he said.

“The introduction of the school uniform from 1995 and a broader push to offer a wider curriculum that compares favourably with all the other choices in our area has seen Muirfield’s reputation and results flourish.’’

Mr Jefferies said Muirfield was now one of several schools in the community that attracted families.

Muirfield High School at North Rocks. Picture: Google Maps

“Our community is spoilt for choice when it comes to education,’’ he said.

“Selective, private, independent and comprehensive schools are all located nearby and that has certainly been a factor in driving local demographic changes.

“I think many local families view Muirfield as a school of choice, rather than just a school you send your kids to because of the zoning.’’

He also praised principal Jennifer Reeves for the HSC results which “definitely reflect many years of hard work and dedication”.

All-girls’ Catholic school Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta is also revelling in stellar results after elevating its position by 76 spots, sitting in at 81st and qualifying as one of NSW’s top 100 schools.

OLMC principal Lucie Farrugia said the school’s HSC candidates consistently achieved strong results, with an average rank of 100 over the past five years.

“Our Mercy girls rose to the challenges presented by a difficult year and performed outstandingly,’’ Ms Farrugia said.

“Their dedication, optimism and resilience, supported by their teachers and families, enabled this success.’’

Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta principal Lucie Farrugia with students at the strong performing school.

Parramatta Marist recorded the third most improved result last year when it finished 46th compared with its spot in 83rd position in 2019. The improvement marked a jump of 37 spots.

Prestigious boys school The Kings at North Parramatta upgraded its position by 28 places after gaining a spot as the 34th best achieving school in NSW.

Carlingford High School had something to celebrate after improving their rank from 124th in 2019 to 98th last year — an increase of 26 places.

Tara Anglican School for Girls at North Parramatta consolidated its spot as one of the state’s top 50 schools when it jumped 15 places from 43 to 28.

Another all-girls school, Macarthur Girls’ High at Parramatta, also elevated its rank by 15 and landed 169th in NSW.

Macarthur Girls’ High School upped its ranking on the HSC list.

Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School improved from 329th to 312th position — a total of 17 spots.

At Auburn, Alpha Omega Senior College improved by 13 places to finish a commendable 55th spot.

Merrylands High’s efforts increased its rank by 12 after finishing 503rd and 491st in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

Granville’s Delany College upgraded its spot from 552nd to 546th this year, a six-place advancement.

However, not all schools were celebrating better results in 2020, with several slipping ranks.

Auburn co-ed school Trinity Catholic College’s rank plummeted from 220 to 367 — a loss of 147 places.

Arthur Phillip High at Parramatta plunged by 90.5 spots, going from 288.5 in 2019 to 379 this year.

Parramatta High, where half its enrolment comprises selective students, was pushed from 139th spot to 160.

Cerdon College Merrylands student Paula Kahwajy topped NSW in Drama for the HSC.

Parramatta Marist High School Year 11 student Dean Jacobson topped Studies in Religion 1 course in the HSC.

Toongabbie Christian College fell 68 places and now sits in 314th spot.

At Carlingford, Cumberland High tumbled 62 places to land the 245th spot after being ranked 183rd in 2019.

Holroyd High is now ranked 581 after a 58-place setback from 523 in 2019.

Maronite College of the Holy Family (formerly Our Lady of Lebanon) at Harris Park fell 57 places to 319.

St Patrick’s Marist College at Dundas will also hit the books harder this year after falling 56.5 places to 175.

Auburn Girls’ High School decreased its position by 48 places to 370.

Catherine McAuley Westmead stepped back 46 places and is now ranked 183rd in the state.

At Auburn, Al-Faisal College’s drop more than doubled after going 23rd place in 2019 to 54th last year.

All-girls Catholic school Cerdon College at Merrylands dipped its rank by 18 places and is now ranked 164 in the state.

Greystanes High School’s ranking fell by 10, going from 255 to 265, while Granville Boys’ High School’s dip was marginal after it was pushed behind by nine places.

Selective Girraween High School stepped back six places.