Seven Parramatta students named best in state for 2018 HSC

Seven students from across Parramatta have taken out first in course honours in the 2018 HSC

L-R James Ruse Agricultural High School students Kim Zheng, Wayne Wong, Richard Huang, Raymond Li and Phillip Liang. Two James Ruse students earned first in course honours in the 2018 HSC. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Seven students from across Parramatta have taken out first in course honours in this year’s HSC.

They are: Phillip Liang- Mathematics Extension 2 (James Ruse Agricultural High School, Carlingford), Raymond Kai Chun Li- Chemistry, Mathematics Extension 1 (James Ruse Agricultural High School, Carlingford), Anisah Rajabi- Persian Background Speakers (Saturday School of Community Languages Arthur Phillip High School Centre, Parramatta), Annamarie Mary Subramaniam- Hospitality Examination (Food and Beverage) (Cerdon College, Merrylands), Awatef Alameddine- Arabic Beginners (Auburn Girls High School, Auburn), Irna Khan- Mathematics General 2 (Al-Faisal College, Auburn), Noor Ibrahim- PDHPE (Alpha Omega Senior College, Auburn).

James Ruse Agricultural High Scool (Carlingford) student Raymond Li crossed the stage twice after finishing first in course in both Chemistry and Mathematics Extension 1 today.

He said he could barely believe it when he got the phone call saying he had finished top in two subjects.

“I was definitely very surprised ... especially because it was for two subjects which I did not expect at all.”

The young genius comes from a strong academic background, with his older brother Edward receiving an ATAR above 99 when he completed the HSCs a few years ago.

“He was obviously really happy (to hear I had finished first in course),” he said. “He did pretty well as well.”

Raymond, 18, who wants to study medicine next year, said if he had to choose between chemistry or math he’d probably choose the former.

“I’m probably more interested in chemistry but math is also very good. I’m quite interested in both the problems set out in the HSC (in both subjects) about how you apply realtively simple concepts to other problems.”

He added his school James Ruse - which has long been the top academic school in the state - had been great to attend.

Classmates Raymond Li and Phillip Liang have topped the state in Maths and Chemistry. Picture: Monique Harmer

“James Ruse has been very good. It is competitive but at the same time the people are very nice and we help each other.”

They were among 127 students from across the state who have been honoured by Education Minister Rob Stokes at a First in Course ceremony hosted by the NSW Government.

“It is delicious and it is wonderful you are able to saviour it together, to recognise that your achievements are personal but are also achieved in partnership,” Mr Stokes said.

“I congratulate not just these winners, but all of this year’s HSC recipients for their dedication, perseverance and hard work.”

Of the 132 students who topped a course in the state, 64 students were from private or Catholic schools and 38 were from public schools.

Sydney Grammar dominated the awards with 10 students at Malcolm Turnbull’s school winning a total of 11 topping the state with a particular focus on languages.

JAMES RUSE HIGH SCHOOL

Maths whizz Phillip Liang has taken out the top spot for Mathematics Extension 2 and class mate Raymond Kai Chun Li topped for Chemistry and Mathematics Extension 1

SATURDAY SCHOOL OF COMMUNITY LANGUAGES, ARTHUR PHILLIP HIGH SCHOOL

Anisah Rajabi was named first in Persian Background speakers and attended the Parramatta school this year.

CERDON COLLEGE

Merrylands-based student Annamarie Mary Subramaniam was first in Hospitality Examination (Food and Beverage).

AUBURN GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL

Awatef Alameddine topped the state in the Arabic Beginners class.

AL-FAISAL COLLEGE

Mathermatics General 2 was taken out by Irna Khan from the Auburn school.

ALPHA OMEGA SENIOR COLLEGE

For physical development, health and excercise, Noor Ibrahim could not be beat from the Auburn college.