Celebrate Year Twelve: 2022

Celebrate YEAR TWELVE 2022

The Graduating Class of 2022

The graduating Class of 2022 enjoyed the relative normality of a school year, in as much as the final twelve months of one’s secondary schooling can feel normal; it was certainly less disruptive than the preceding two years. That invites some reflecting - this years’ graduating cohort left the innocence and routine of Year 9 in 2019, endured academic and social disruption throughout Years 10 and 11 over the next 24 months, only to find themselves facing a final 150 days of school and the inevitable, looming examinations. It makes their achievements all the more impressive, and makes us all the more proud of their collective resilience, courage, perspective and sense of academic purpose.

As 2022 draws to a close, we present to you our annual Celebrate publication capturing the academic achievements of the graduating cohort in both the HSC and the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IB CP), along with the opportunities within and beyond the classroom that support myriad student learning experiences and interests.

Along with more than 75,000 HSC students across NSW, our Year 12 students received their HSC results and ATARs on Thursday morning. (The IB CP results are to be released in early January.)

The 2022 cohort have performed extremely well academically and have displayed a commitment and dedication to the values and ideals of the School, exhibiting a respect for their peers, parents and teachers borne from genuine gratitude and maturity.

Students and parents frequently reference the extraordinary support, time and care given by our teachers, and indeed by all staff who influence and shape the learning opportunities of the students in our care. We acknowledge the significant work undertaken by all HVGS staff, often out of the view of colleagues and parents, and it is with sincere gratitude that I thank our staff for the professional and personal commitment to their students.

Whilst the Class of 2022 enjoyed pleasing recognition in the HSC School Rankings recently published in the media, we also recognise that this narrow measure fails to capture the countless stories of personal bests and the considerable effort by our students to lift themselves into higher bands of personal attainment through consistency and focussed efforts. We recognise those who have achieved and even surpassed their own goals, often in the face of personal adversity or setbacks along their academic journey, and we applaud their dedication.

This publication provides opportunity to celebrate the various exceptional achievements of students, including Emily Miles, Gabriella Coren and Ronan Green who each achieved a Top Performer accolade for placing in the Top 10 students in NSW in an HSC course. Our graduates leave our gates now as young adults who, through their schooling, have learned much about their world and about themselves. They have also taught us much too. Through their actions they have provided lessons to their peers and the broader school community, lessons which may be traced to the School Values writ large on our circle of pencils. Lessons about responsibility and determination. Lessons from Teanu Barter, from Emily Fortunaso-Klocker, from many others too.

Congratulations to our graduating class of 2022, it has been a pleasure to support and share in your educational journey. Please enjoy this year’s publication, indeed, you have much to celebrate

Rebecca Butterworth Principal

HSC Highlights

• The Class of 2022 achieved 91% of all HSC results at Band 4, 5 or 6 – our best collective result against this measure in recent years.

• 15% of all results were at the highest level Band 6/E4 and 57% of results at Band 5/6.

• Over a third of HVGS students made the Distinguished Achievers’ List with 34 students sharing in 73 Band 6 results across all HSC courses examined (a significant increase on 2021).

• The School ranked 103 in the State on % of Band 6 results attained, a pleasing improvement on 2021.

• Emily Fortunaso-Klocker has achieved the School’s highest ATAR of 98.20.

• The School recorded three students recognised by NESA as Top Performers in an HSC Course:

• Emily Miles ranked 3rd in the State in Design and Technology

• Gabriella Coren ranked 10th in the State in Agriculture

• Ronan Green ranked 9th in the State in Information Processes and Technology – Ronan completed this HSC course as a Year 11 student in a targeted acceleration via Distance Education – a remarkable achievement.

• Six students received an ATAR above 95, 16 students above 90, and 39 students received an ATAR above 80.

• The average ATAR achieved for the 2022 HSC cohort was 78; the highest average ATAR at HVGS for 5 years.

• Several students attained top band results across 8+ units, with five graduates coming to within a single mark of being awarded NSW All Rounder honours (10+ units at the top level).

• A wide variety of HSC courses across different HVGS faculty areas achieved significant results, especially compared with relative State attainment at Band 6, and Band 5/6 level.

• Of particular note were the outstanding results achieved in:

• Agriculture (77% Band 5/6 attainment compared with 25% of State)

• English Extension 2 (100% top Band (E4) attainment compared with 29% of State)

• Legal Studies (Seven Band 6 results and 72% Band 5/6 attainment compared with 40% of State)

• Music 1 (Four Band 6 results and 100% Band 5/6 attainment compared with 69% of State)

• Visual Arts (Five Band 6 results and 100% Band 5/6 attainment compared with 65% of State)

• Design and Technology (Four Band 6 results and 100% Band 5/6 attainment compared with 47% of State).

Emily Miles

Gabriella Coren Ronan Green

Emily Fortunaso-Klocker

Distinguished Achievers

Congratulations to the following students who were named on the NSW Education Standards Authority Distinguished Achievers List for achieving a result in the highest band (Band 6/E4, equivalent to 90%) in one or more of their subjects.

Alexandra Addis

Nirvana Al-Azraq

Leila Anderberg

Teanu Barter

Emilia Beasley

Ryan Betts

Matthew Blanshard

Saraya Borghero

Harrison Boyling

Lucy Bradford

Lachlan Browne

Kimberley Clement

Liam Clowes

Gabriella Coren

Harry Craigie

Mia Curtis

Emily Fortunaso-Klocker

Ryan Furness

Hugh Gelder

Niamh Geraghty

Adelaide Goldfinch

Ronan Green

Talia Mackenzie

Joshua Mayfield

Emily Miles

Distinguished Achievers

Harrison Roberts

Oliver

Rollings

Jack Ryan

Kristopher Sorcevski

Molly Sorensen

Jaimie Studdy

Molly Walkerden

Isabella Watts

Mila Wawszkowicz

LIAM CLOWES

Some students are drawn to study certain HSC subjects because they are chasing a specific ATAR or field of further study, others because it’s an area of interest or a passion; for Liam Clowes, his approach to choosing what to study in his final years of school was driven through the innate desire to learn and his pursuit of knowledge.

“I focused on my studies purely through an interest in the pursuit of knowledge, by picking interesting subjects that I didn’t really know what they were about,” says Liam. “My philosophy was, that if gained knowledge and understanding, then the time spent was valuable.”

Through school Liam had notions of becoming a surgeon following his own experience of undergoing heart surgery as young child, but his interest in understanding ‘how things work’ now has him excited about the prospect of a future in engineering. “I am very interested in engineering, though I haven’t yet decided on which specific course to do or where to study at this stage,” says Liam.

Liam is a HVGS Endeavour Student, having joined HVGS as a preschooler. His fondest memories are of his time in the Junior School.

Oh the places they’ll go... TALIA MACKENZIE

“Junior School was really fun and some of my best memories are from that time - organising and inventing new games to play at lunchtime with my freinds,” says Liam.

Talia’s involvement in the performing arts has allowed her to explore her creativity while remaining balanced in her studies. This approach will prove useful as she prepares to start a Bachelor of Social Work and Criminology and Criminal Justice at University of NSW next year.

“I have a strong desire to help people so would like to become a social worker,” says Tahlia. “My passion for drama will come in handy as I’d like to also study Art Therapy at Melbourne University at some point in the future.”

While Talia has enjoyed her academic studies, the nonacademic aspect of her time at HVGS have also been a highlight.

“I am in awe of the seemingly endless amount of performing arts opportunities available at HVGS, “ says Talia. “I will cherish the skills and lessons learnt in the productions I have been involved in. I will never forget the irreplaceable family that you create with every cast as you share such a unique and special experience with each other.”

Balance has been key for Talia through Years 11 and 12 and she drew on some key strategies to help her with this.

“Learning to timetable greatly assisted me. I chunked down my assessment tasks and revision so that I could chip away at each one as well as allow myself breaks - this has proven very beneficial,” says Talia.

International Baccalaureate

Career-related Programme

The International Baccalureate Career-related Programme (CP) gives students the time to start their careers while still at school. It is composed of an Australian vocational course, International Baccalureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) subjects and other career supporting subjects.

Congratulations to Lexie Martin, Katie Miller and Maeve Donohoe who are the first HVGS Year 12 students to undertake and complete this Stage 6 pathway. They have also become the first CP graduates in NSW.

The vocational courses undertaken by these students were: Primary Industries – Agriculture (Maeve), Early Childhood Education and Care (Lexie) and Individual Support – Aged Care (Katie).

They completed the IBDP examinations for Business Management plus Language and Literature, portfolios for Service Learning, Personal and Professional Skills and Language Development and an extensive research project on an ethical dilemma, associated with their careers, for the Reflective Project.

Vocational Education Award

Each year Youth Express recognises students, who have excelled in their area of Vocational Education, through the Robert Beggs Memorial Award.

This year, after undertaking an extensive interview process, Lexie Martin received this award for her work in Early Childhood Education and Care. Lexie completed the Certificate III as part of the CP, whilst completing the practical aspects of the course in our Early Learning Centre under the guidance of her teacher Kate Harkness. Lexie has already been accepted into the Diploma of Early Childhood course for 2023.

University Early Entry Offers

MORE THAN 2/3 OF HVGS STUDENTS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL

HEREʼS THE AREA OF STUDY OUR STUDENTS ARE PURSUING. RECEIVING EARLY ENTRY OFFERS TO UNIVERSITY.

LEILA ANDERBERG

Leila has a passion for understanding and protecting the natural world and plans on channelling all that passion into a Science degree post-HSC.

“I’ve loved studying Science and am very interested in a career in sustainability where I can use scientific knowledge to help conserve the environment for future generations of people, plants and animals,” says Leila.

“Agriculture helped me understand the processes required to provide for a growing population, but Chemistry must be my favourite subject. Mr Wisemantel’s genuine passion for his subject made it impossible not to love, along with a spirited and engaged class,” says Leila.

Architecture & Building Management & Commerce Education Agriculture & Environmental Studies

While Leila feels it is important students enjoy the subjects they choose to study for their HSC, balance and organisation are also crucial to success.

“Preparing ahead and time management are critical and allow you to balance other aspects of life such as family, friends, exercise and employment,” says Leila. “Summary notes, revision questions and past papers were essential to my sucess and preparation.”

Engineering & Related Society & Culture Health Natural & Physical Sciences

ALEXANDRA ADDIS EMILY MILES

For many students deciding what comes next after school can take some time, and it’s okay to not yet have all the answers. This is undoubtedly the case for Alexandra (Ali), who is working through all the big decisions that come after finishing school.

“I want to keep studying, but I’m not sure what I’ll ultimately end up doing for a career. Hopefully, something artistic or something academic, ideally a bit of both.

“At some point, I want to go to university, but I’m still undecided about whether I’ll take a gap year,” says Ali. “For now, I’m trying to focus on getting to the end of exams and then I’ll decide what happens next.”

While Ali may not know about her immediate next step, one thing she knows for sure is that her fondest memories of school have been shared with her Mentor group.

“We do an Ali vs The World Trivia Quiz in Mentor group with Mr Gidney. It’s me against the group, and we’re pretty even at the moment!” says Ali.

This Mentor morning ritual has been a highlight of Ali’s time at HVGS. Well, that and studying English Extension 2!

“I was debating whether or not to take the course, but I’m so glad I chose to do it,” says Ali. “You can make it fit whatever interests you about literature.”

Emily has achieved remarkable success this year. She has been nominated for SHAPE for her Design and Technology HSC Major Work, for ARTEXPRES for her Visual Arts Major Work and placed third at the Uprising Good Design Awards - opening a whole raft of new opportunities for her to explore. Obviously, a creative and talented student, Emily intends to continue her creative pursuits post-HVGS.

“I’d like to study Media/Design or something involving marketing,” says Emily. “My dream would be to be a creative director of a magazine, TV show or brand. I also love the environment, so any career where I could be involved in conservation awareness would also be awesome (David Attenborough style).”

With all the success Emily has achieved, it’s clear why Design and Technology is one of her favourite subjects.

“I loved being able to create and build my own design and I had an amazing teacher and awesome classmates, so it was always a lot of fun.”

After an incredible year, Emily intends to take a gap year to just....explore.

“I’m excited to have a year of meeting new people and soaking up nature with no responsibilities,” says Emily. “Hopefully, I’ll be in Greece, living like Donna from Mamma Mia, or some remote island town where I will learn to surf properly and pick fruit all day!”

Oh the places they’ll go ...

Stories of Success Sport

IT’S

Mila Wawszkowicz has run hoops around the competition this year. Mila was selected into the NSW All Schools Team and helped her team storm home with the win at this year’s School Sport Australia Basketball Championship. NSW was undefeated during the competition and beat VIC Blue in a compelling win in the grand final.

Our Year 12 aerobics students leave a triumphant legacy as they depart school. Congratulations to Georgia King, who won a bronze medal with ‘Space Jam’ at this year’s Nationals Aerobics Competition.

Two of our talented Year 12 rugby players, Harriet Neville and William Clark won the national titles in the Australian School Rugby

Harriet Neville

Mila Wawszkowicz

BEEN WONDERFUL TO SEE OUR YEAR 12 STUDENTS BACK ON THE TRACK, SLOPES, FIELD, COURT AND PITCH THIS YEAR. ... AND THEY DID NOT DISAPPOINT.

Georgia King

Will Clark

Championships. Harriet was selected in the NSW Girls 7s A team, and Will was selected for the NSW Barbarians. Will also excels in athletics and medalled at CIS Athletics. He was also named this year’s HVGS Sportsman of the Year.

Congratulations also to rugby star, Jaimie Studdy, who gained selection into this year’s CIS Rugby team. After the HSC, Jaimie will be jetsetting to Ireland to play for a season with Blackrock college based out of Dublin. What an opportunity!

Sienna Burgess has had incredible success in softball during her time at HVGS. This year, Sienna was named on the NSW All Schools Team who went on to win the School Sport Championship in Perth, defeating Queensland in a nailbiter. Sienna was the only player to make a home run in the final and was named on the All Australian Merit Team. Sienna is also a skilful athlete and medalled at CIS Athletics this year. Sienna was named HVGS Sportswoman of the Year for 2022.

Our Year 12 students also excel in the official side of sport as umpires. Congratulations

Kimberley Clement, a talented netball umpire, who gained selection to the Development Squad for Netball NSW. Kimberley went on to officiate at the National Championships in September.

Campbell Daines has finished up his elustrous time as a member of the HVGS Snowsports team with a silver medal in the Skier Cross event at this year’s Australian Interschools Championships at Perisher. Congratulations Campbell.

Kimberley Clement

Campbell Daines

Sienna Burgess

Kimberley Clement

Jaimie Studdy

Sport

Our Rowing program would not be the same without the talented Year 12 students who have made up an integral part of our rowing contingent, in terms of their dedication to their sport, but also the mentorship of younger students in the program.

It was finals fever for Molly Walkerden and Adelaide Goldfinch at the NSW State Championships with the girls rowing their way into the Schoolgirl Double Scull Finals.

Nicholas Melmeth, Caleb Chadwick, Benjamin Hudson and Zinc Bosco were also successful at the Australian Rowing Championships as Schoolboy Coxed Quad Finalists.

Caleb, Benjamin and Zinc also placed third in the Schoolboy Head of the River Competition in the Schoolboy Coxed Quad.

Congratulations also to Caleb Chadwick who was a successful recipient of Sport Australia’s Local Sporting Champions grants program and was presented with the award from Ms Meryl Swanson, MP.

Caleb Chadwick and Meryl Swanson, MP.

Zinc, Benjamin, Caleb and Nicholas

Adelaide and Molly

Second Generation Students

We wish to acknowledge our Second Generation students and their parents for being such a vital part of the HVGS community over a significant period of time.

Brendan Gale

Son of Michael Gale (1997)

Lachlan Murphy Son of Bradley Murphy (1997)

Xavier Russell Son of Jonathan Russell (1998)

Talia Mackenzie, Adelaide Goldfinch and Lucy Bradford, successfully achieved their Trinity London Speech and Drama Diplomas this year. The Diploma is a recognised foundation degree that takes discipline and commitment.

Congratulations to Tiffany Lam who was awarded Highly Commended in the Joyce Blewitt Piano Award - a prestigious platform for aspiring pianists.

Stories of Success Performing Arts

OUR PERFORMING ARTS STUDENTS HAVE WOWED US WITH THEIR TALENT AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO THEIR CRAFT.

THEY HAVE ENHANCED THE CULTURAL FABRIC OF OUR SCHOOL AND WE ARE RICHER FOR IT.

Tiffany Lam

Adelaide Goldfinch, Lucy Bradford, Talia Mackenzie

Tertiary Scholarships

Congratulations to the following Year 12 students on their selection of a Tertiary Scholarship.

The Jason Johnston Tertiary Scholarship for Health Sciences Isabelle Carey

The HVGS Scholarship for Teaching

Leila Anderberg

The HVGS Scholarship for Teaching Sienna Burgess

The Cameron Tertiary Scholarship for Built Environment, Design Technologies and Engineering

Liam Clowes

The Tassell Financial Planning Pty Ltd Tertiary Scholarship for Performing Arts Tiffany Lam

The Tassell Financial Planning Pty Ltd Tertiary Scholarship for Business and Finance

Harrison Roberts

Stories of Success Design and Technology

CONGRATULATIONS EMILIA BEASLEY AND EMILY MILES WHO BOTH RECEIVED HSC NOMINATIONS FOR SHAPE

2022.

The SHAPE Exhibition features a selection of students’ exemplary HSC major projects from Design and Technology, Industrial Technology and Textiles and Design.

Emilia Beasley shared a bit more about her project, Haven, and the design process behind it.

Tell us about your project

Haven was created to assist young children with autism and/or complex trauma with their needs in a classroom. I wanted to make a tool that was able to be used by schools across Australia and be implemented into the schooling system.

Haven enables the opportunity for children to remain in the safe environment of a classroom, whilst being able to, somewhat, stay in control of their surroundings, with the use of a dark space and sensory items to assist in de-escalating the situation.

How do you feel about Haven being nominated for SHAPE?

Being nominated is a dream come true. At the beginning of Year 11, my Design and Technology class was told that SHAPE was an amazing opportunity for Design students across NSW to display their work and

be congratulated for it. I was able to visit the works from the Class of 2021 and I was amazed at the talent; so being nominated for it is an absolute honour.

Tell us more about the design process

My piece took approximately 12 months to complete. My design changed drastically towards the end of Term 1, and I only just started working on it around this time. The previous months were spent developing the product and exploring the opportunities for a classroom tool for children with autism and/or complex trauma.

Emilia Beasley

Emily Miles

This project did not come without its problems. Changing the design so late in the process caused major planning issues, and I was working on my project right up until the night before marking.

I am so grateful for the dedication of Mr Wyatt, Mr Maclaren, and especially Mrs Hemsworth for giving up their time to assist me in completing this project.

Where to next for you?

After school, I am hoping to go to the University of Newcastle to study occupational therapy, and then hopefully pursue a career in either a hospital or a practice specialising with children.

EMILIA’S PROJECT ‘HAVEN’

EMILY’S PROJECT

Design students Uprising Awards success

Congratulations to Niamh Geraghty, Emily Miles and Georgia King, who took out the top three places in the Uprising Design Awards - a competition run by The Institute of Technology Education for Design and Technology students.

Equal first place was awarded to Niamh for her Four-in-One desk and Emily for her Remote Animal Medical Assistance design. Georgia took out third place for her shark repellent surfboard and accessories design.

The three girls received their awards at a special black-tie awards cermeony in Sydney.

As if this wasn’t exciting enough, Emily’s design caught the attention of Black Lab Australia, a design firm in Sydney. She was invited to spend a day at Black Lab with full access to their manufacturing equipment to help develop her design to a commercial level. Emily has also had her project nominated for SHAPE 2022.

Mr Chris Wyatt, Georgia King, Niamh Geraghty, Emily Miles and

Mrs Louise Hemsworth

Emily at Black Lab Studios

‘RAMA’

THE CLASS OF 2022

Hunter

Valley

Grammar School Endeavour Students

Hunter Valley Grammar School Endeavour Students

Matthew Blanshard Nigella Boyd Harrison Boyling Caleb Chadwick Liam Clowes James Cousins

Cameron Cox

Harry Craigie Campbell Daines Mikayla Elliott Maxwell Glasson Adelaide Goldfinch

Benjamin Hudson

Alessandra Killerby-Smith Georgia King Adrian Manning-Bravo Joshua Mayfield Nicholas Melmeth

Grace Murray

Jack Ryan

Kristopher Sorcevski

Chloe Tavares

Henry Varley

We wish to celebrate the Year 12 graduates who have been a vital part of Hunter Valley Grammar School for all of their schooling.