"I'm still in shock ... I'm thrilled."
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That was the reaction from Hunter Valley Grammar School's Alexandra Gibb who topped the state in the third most popular course, English Advanced, in the Higher School Certificate.
In doing so she eclipsed the efforts of 24,873 others.
She said she expected a call back that it was a mistake.
"I'm just trying to comprehend it all, it happened very quickly. It was not expected at all. I got into the exam, I did the best I could, I walked out and tried not to think about it."
Students across Newcastle and the Hunter topped five subjects overall, an outstanding effort.
But there were a number of others who, if not necessarily topping subjects, recorded some magnificent results.
Josie Witherdin
Josie Witherdin, of St Joseph's Catholic College, Lochinvar finished with an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 99.3%.
Josie was also in the Top 20 in state for Advanced Maths and was listed on the NSW Distinguished Merit List as an All Round Achiever, receiving a Band 6 in all courses.
"I went quite well in my trials, but my results were better than I expected," she said.
Prior to today Josie had already received early offers from the University of Newcastle to study a Bachelor of Arts and the ANU to study a double degree, Bachelor of Art History and Curatorship and with a Bachelor of Asian Studies.
But this morning she received even more great news when the UNSW got in touch to offer her a AAA scholarship to study a Bachelor of Art and International Studies. This was her first preference.
Its been a big year for the teen, with COVID-19 disrupting her studies like all Year 12 students, but also the death of her father earlier in the year. In 2021 Josie plans to take a gap year to work, and do some domestic travel.
Subjects Josie studied include: advanced and extension 1 English, standard maths 2, modern history, visual arts, studies of religion 1.
Josie started at St Joseph's College in Lochinvar in Year 7, and when faced with the option of continuing in Year 11 and 12 at either All Saints College in Maitland, or staying on to be part of St Joseph's second Year 12 cohort of graduates, she decided to stay put in Lochinvar.
"Many of my teachers I've had since Year 7, and they've been a great support to me throughout the year with my studies, yes, but also to help me personally when my father passed."
Josie is today celebrating by having a coffee with friends, and plans to go to dinner tonight with her family.
Michelle Cornelia
An All Saints College, Maitland student, Michelle recorded an ATAR of 98.8%.
Her subjects studied this year were English Advanced, 4 unit maths, visual arts, studies of religion 1, biology, chemistry.
"The results are still sinking in," Michelle said, "I was adamant I would study as hard as I could throughout the year, so I was quite stressed. I thought I did okay in the exams, but my results today were far better than I expected."
Michelle has accepted an early offer to study Biomedical Science at the University of Newcastle next year.
Today, she will celebrate her results by catching up with her peers at All Saints College for morning tea, and then afterwards go to lunch with some of her closest friends.
Jorja-Louise Howard
Jorja, of St Joseph's College, Lochinvar finished in the top 20 in the state for Industrial Technology.
"It was a crazy year, first COVID, then I had a car accident and had a broken arm which made made building my timber project a bit tricky," she said.
Jorja has been accepted into three univesities - Newcastle (criminology), Port Macquarie and Bathurst (both criminal justice).
"Eventually I think I'll go into the police force," she said.
Have you got a great result you'd like to share? Let us know - lowerhunter@austcommunitymedia.com.au
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