HSC Achievements & Highlights 2021 by PLC Sydney

HSC Achievements & Highlights

2021

‘I have so many fond memories of my time at PLC Sydney - I will miss the daily conversations with my fellow peers, friends and teachers.

learnt something new

every I single day; to make the most of every opportunity and experience that was placed in front of me. I have made

lifelong friendships and I loved how everyone in the school was united like one big family.’ Anais Lowe, Year 12 2021

Each year group faces its challenges in its final year. Even the most capable of students can doubt themselves. How much more, in the Covid-19 year of 2021, our students faced challenges, both external and internal. It is to their credit, and the credit of their teachers, that we can list their achievements in this booklet. Together they formed a strong partnership to assist the year group to do well.

ENCORE, SHAPE and TEXSTYLE showcases and exhibitions. We congratulate each student who achieved a special award. We congratulate each student who did their best.

We congratulate this PLC Sydney graduating cohort on their excellent HSC results.

Finally, and more important than anything else, we are proud of the young women that our graduating class have become. As their Principal, I am impressed by their grace and their diligence. Watching them interact at our morning tea in early December was a joy. We will follow their future vocational choices with great interest.

As you read the results in this booklet, remember that we are a non-selective school, and yet their results are very similar to the excellent academic results of recent years. Our average mark was about 82.3%, gained across all courses, with 71% of our Year 12 cohort in the top 20% of the State. We are very proud of them. We celebrate the hard work of each student. Many students in this year group were artistic and we were well represented within the nominations across the ARTEXPRESS,

Dr Paul Burgis Principal

PLC SYDNEY HSC RESULTS 2021

2021 ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

99.8

71%

Top ATAR

PLC Sydney students were in the top 20% of the State

PLC Sydney students were in the top 10% of the State

NOMINATIONS

All-rounder Achievers List

2 Selected

Students who scored over 90% in every subject

For student showcases and exhibitions

48th

2 Top Achievers List

PLC Sydney ranking in SMH ranking

Students who earned top 20 places in individual subjects

37%

IN STATE

AUSTRALIAN TERTIARY ADMISSIONS RANK* Congratulations to the following girls who achieved an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) of 99 or more in the Higher School Certificate. Name

ATAR

Jini Gao

99.8

Julia Cummins

99.55

Angela Rofail

99.55

Horatia Ma

99.5

Amelie Larsen

99.2

*The above list may not be a full representation of these achievements as we are reliant on Year 12 students providing their ATAR or other information. Details are not made public or provided to the College.

YEAR ON YEAR COMPARISON 100th

48th

51%

56%

51%

50% 37%

21st 17th

20th

22nd

1st

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Sydney Morning Herald HSC ranking top 100 schools

% of students in the top 10% of State ie achieving ATARs over 90

PLC SYDNEY HSC RESULTS 2021

TOP ACHIEVERS IN COURSE

Skye Rodgers Food Technology (equal)

Anamieka Vander Heiden Portuguese Continuers at NSW School of Languages

UNIVERSITY RECOGNITION GAINED FOR EXCELLENCE IN CO-CURRICULAR PURSUITS With a holistic approach to education, PLC Sydney encourages active participation and engagement in both academic studies and co-curricular activities. All our students are challenged to strive for excellence and inspired to achieve their personal best. We believe strongly in personal integrity and social responsibility, while supporting each girl as she develops the skills, knowledge and values required for her to make a meaningful contribution to her community and lead a happy and fulfilled life. Many of our 2021 cohort did this through their varied co-curricular pursuits, from achieving the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, to gaining a Diploma of Communications with ASCA (Australia Speech Communication Association). These achievements are recognised by universities in the form of Adjustment Factors that, although not included in the official HSC statistics above, do contribute to the excellent university placements that you will read about at the end of this booklet.

PREMIER’S ALL ROUND ACHIEVERS Ten (10) students were recognised on the All-round Achievers List (achieving more than 90% in all their courses ie the highest band possible in at least 10 units).

10 students recognised

Ameline Archis

Zoe Jewell

Julia Cummins

Amelie Larsen

Jini Gao

Horatia Ma

Grace Hefferan

Sophia McDonnell

Petria Houvardas

Angela Rofail

EXCELLENCE IN HSC Proportion of Students in the Top Two Bands by Subject

100% Chinese and Literature, French Continuers, Music 1, Music 2, Chinese Extension, English Extension 1, English Extension 2, French Extension, History, Extension, Italian Extension, Japanese Extension, Music Extension, Science Extension

90%

80%

75%

AND ABOVE

English Extension, Mathematics Extension 2

Design and Technology, Japanese Continuers, Textiles and Design

Business Studies, Drama, Economics, Legal Studies, Modern History

PLC SYDNEY HSC RESULTS 2021

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN TOP 2 BANDS WITH A MARK OF 80% OR HIGHER COMPARED TO THE STATE AVERAGE % Bands 5-6 or E3-E4 COURSE

PLC SYDNEY STATE

% Bands 5-6 or E3-E4 COURSE

PLC SYDNEY STATE

Ancient History

Mathematics Advanced

Biology

Mathematics Standard 2

Business Studies

Modern History

Chemistry

Music 1

100

Music 2

100

Personal Development,

Health and Physical

Physics

Design and Technology

Studies of Religion 11

Drama

Textiles and Design

Earth and Environmental

Visual Arts

Economics

English Advanced

Chinese Extension

100

English EAL/D

English Extension 1

100

English Standard

English Extension 2

100

Food Technology

French Extension

100

History Extension

100

Geography

Italian Extension

100

Italian Continuers

Japanese Extension

100

Japanese Beginners

Mathematics Extension 1

Japanese Continuers

Mathematics Extension 2

Legal Studies

Music Extension

100

Science Extension

100

Chinese and Literature Chinese in Context Chinese Continuers Community and Family Studies

Education

Science

French Continuers

EXTENSION COURSES

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS A number of PLC Sydney students were nominated for recognition as part of the HSC showcase events. To be nominated for any of these events is an outstanding achievement as it acknowledges their major works and performances as ‘best in the State’. TEXSTYLE

ENCORE

For exemplary work in Textile and Design

For exemplary performance in HSC Music

Summer Wanless TEXSTYLE (selected) Selected for the HSC TEXSTYLE Exhibition for her two-piece costume inspired by the traditional Indian sari, with the decoration of beads promoting elegance through culture. (pictured on right)

SHAPE For exemplary work in HSC Design and Technology and Textile and Design Alex Reed SHAPE (nominated) Design Brief: Create a design solution for the historical Gerringong Cooperative in order to fulfill the current needs of the local community and boost tourism within the broader South Coast communities. Summer Wanless SHAPE (nominated) Summer’s Major Textiles Project is a costume for an evening gala. The two piece design incorporates areas of inspiration from Indian culture, 1940s couture fashion, and contemporary designs by Australian designers Adrian Norris and Edwina Forest from ‘Aje.’

Chanel Chamoun Nominated for Voice Piece: ‘House of the Rising Sun’ (arranged Eileen Mirabal) Bella Thomas Nominated for Voice Piece: ‘Where’ (Kate Miller-Heidke) Horatia Ma Nominated for Piano Piece: IV. Tarantella from Suite for two pianos No. 2, Op 17 (Sergei Rachmaninoff)

ENCORE Nominated for exemplary composition in HSC Music Madeline Panos Nominated for Piano Piece: ‘Bustle on King Street’ written for Alto Saxophone, Marimba, Cello & Piano

Summer Wanless

OnSTAGE For exemplary performance in HSC Drama. Individual Drama Performance Nominations Katey Cox Nominated for Partly About Love, Partly About Massacre Isabella Tomic Nominated for My Name is Rachel Corrie

GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS The Gold Award is the most demanding of all levels of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme and is made up of five components: Service, Physical, Skill, Adventurous Journey and Residential Project. It is a mark of great dedication that Year 12 students can balance the requirements of the Gold Award with their studies. In 2021, 7 students achieved this award. Sara Fahey Zoe Jewell Amelie Larsen Anais Lowe

Emily Moloney Madeline Panos Amelia Smith

PLC SYDNEY HSC RESULTS 2021

ARTEXPRESS For exemplary work in HSC Visual Arts Jessica Hong Selected for ARTEXPRESS for Painting: Collision: Fragments of Cobalt Virtual Exhibition VX in 2022 (see images below) Amy Hur Nominated for ARTEXPRESS for Painting: Salad Days (see images on page 9)

Jessica Hong ‘Collision: Fragments of Cobalt Paintings (oils on canvas) Represents her reimagining of figurative & still life subjects to propose an Eastern-Western cultural lens into the psyche of the artist. Collision: Fragments of Cobalt explores the misalignment between perceptions of the self and reality. In my attempt to express my own transcultural experiences, I have developed compositions that describe psychological tension through distorted and dreamlike realities. The traditional Chinese and Vietnamese motifs pay homage to an integral part of my identity that often collides with the Western world. The monochromatic colour palette is grounded in cobalt blue, which is synonymous with traditional porcelain practices. The ceramic fragments represent the fragility of our internal world as a means to a deeper understanding of self and connectivity to culture.

Amy Hur, Salad Days

Talia Skuse Selected for inclusion in Zoomers: Celebrating excellence in 2021 HSC Visual Art Exhibition at Hazelhurst Arts Centre Photography: Black and White stills: ‘Through Her Eyes’ investigate the condition of Dyslexia, represented through the emotive relationship between the figure and architectural spaces that allow for insight into this unique way of experiencing the world.

*These images are a selection of the girls’ Body of Work

PLC SYDNEY HSC RESULTS 2021

NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES PLC Sydney congratulates our Year 12 students who represented Australia in their respective curricular, co-curricular and sporting areas.

Emily Adamson PUBLIC SPEAKING

2021 World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Competition (WIDPSC).

Breteil Tigris David PUBLIC SPEAKING

Representing Australia both in 2020 and 2021 at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Competition (WIDPSC). Breteil finished overall 4th in the World.

Madeleine Hardy

Angela Rofail

SWIMMING

PUBLIC SPEAKING

2021 Australian Junior Swim Team and also swam at the Australian Olympic Trials where she placed 7th in the 200m backstroke.

Representing Australia both in 2020 and 2021 at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Competition (WIDPSC). In 2020 Angela finished in 4th place, and in 2021 she gained two top 10 places.

Back: L to R: Emily Adamson, Bianca Walton, Madeleine Hardy and Angela Rofail Front: Talei Chang (Year 11), Breteil Tigris David, Imogen Stubbs (Year 10)

Bianca Walton OPEN WATER SWIMMING

In 2021 Bianca was selected into the 2021 Australian Junior Open Water Swim Team.

REFLECTIONS EMILY ADAMSON

AMELINE ARCHIS

Boarders’ Prefect Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Bachelor of International Security Studies - ANU

All-Round Achievers List (ATAR over 99.0) Bachelor of Engineering / Bachelor of Science (double) University of Sydney

How important was it for you to balance your academic focus with other activities? Balance was key in my Year 12 experience, as I had to balance the commitments with Speech and Debating and representing Australia at the world championships with my academic commitments and social life. In my Year 12 experience, I learned the importance of time management and prioritising what needed to be done in order to continue to keep on top of commitments.

What contributed to your final year/and or HSC success? Knowing that my teachers were all there for me, and having the strength to get back up after disappointment. Academics have always taken priority, however other activities have been incredibly helpful in giving me the space to feel ‘human’! The interaction with other girls outside of the classroom was really helpful and just positive in general.

CLAUDIA BEGGS

ALEXANDRA BELL

Harper House Vice-Captain Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Medical Imaging) University of Canberra

School Community Prefect Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics/ Law - UNSW

How important was it for you to balance your academic focus with other activities?

What is your fondest memory of your time at PLC Sydney?

I have always enjoyed participating in sport and being a part of a team, with girls from all year groups. I think it is crucial in Year 12 to continue participating in physical activity in some way. It provides a break from study and school and a breath of fresh air, even in the holidays I tried to go for a few runs. I participated in a sport each term usually consisted of one or two trainings a week, however I did two afternoons a week working in the PLC Sydney learn to swim program, teaching young children as well as Before School Care Monday to Friday with the PK-6 girls. I absolutely loved working with Evandale and Hamilton girls and because I loved it so much I didn’t find it ate into my study time. As I was busy many afternoons a week I created strict timetables for myself and planned out my night each day, this helped so much and it became to a point where the balance between cocurriculars and academics was right and felt normal. My main focus was always my academics but through work and sport trainings I was able to find that gap between end of the school day and study/ homework time.

My favourite memories come from my involvement in service learning opportunities from Year 9 onwards. Since then, I have made a lot of friends who have continued to be involved in these activities. I have loved pursuing my sporting passions and being able to extend my fitness levels, with the school’s support. In addition, I loved all my academic studies, especially in Year 9 when I did Cambridge General Studies. This gave me the opportunity to extend my learning, which has continued into my senior years. Finally, I will never forget how much support I have been given throughout my time at PLC Sydney, both academically and in my extracurricular endeavours. Most importantly, I am so grateful for the wellbeing support I have received from both friends, teachers and staff alike.

“Surround yourself with positive people because otherwise your school work becomes affected. ” Breteil Tigris David

PLC SYDNEY HSC RESULTS 2021 11

JULIA CUMMINS STEM Captain All-Round Achievers List (ATAR over 99.0) Doctor of Medicine - Western Sydney University What contributed to your final year/and or HSC success? Setting goals for myself and having an idea of what I wanted to study at university. By having a set goal that I was working towards over the year, it motivated me to do my best.

ISABELLA CORDARO Diploma of Communications from Lyons House Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics/ Law - UNSW What is the most valuable lesson you learned at PLC Sydney? To carry two things within you at all times - love towards others and pride in yourself. Don’t spend too much of your time stressing, remember to enjoy the ride. But pop quizzes in the common room with the girls certainly assisted the study... and I loved every Science lesson I had with Ms Hendriks.

BRETEIL TIGRIS DAVID Debating Captain National Representative Public Speaking Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Politics & International Relations) University of Sydney If you could offer a tip to someone about to do their final year, what would it be? Surround yourself with positive people because otherwise your school work becomes affected. Also find a balance with study and other activities - Speech and Debating gave me an outlet and also keeping up with fitness.

“Don’t spend too much of your time stressing, remember to enjoy the ride.” Isabella Cordaro 12

LUCY DUBE (Jingshao Yang) Bachelor of Music (Performance, Viola) - Sydney Conservatorium of Music What contributed to your final year/and or HSC success? To keep everything in perspective. While balancing school work, assessments each week, and keeping up with music practice, I have constantly been reminded that I still need to have a “life” outside of school. Somehow I have managed to receive really good marks in school while still making time for myself to relax and do the things I enjoy. Having so much anxiety over an assessment only worth 15% isn’t constructive and yes, whilst studying is important to overcome feelings of doubt in terms of knowing content and being prepared, remember to keep everything in perspective because getting below the average on one assessment isn’t going to change your life.

GRACE HEFFERAN Environment and Sustainability Captain All-Round Achievers List (ATAR over 99.0) Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Environment & Sustainability (Double) - ANU If you could offer a tip to someone about to do their final year, what would it be? I would encourage them to see learning as not just something that happens at school to get good marks. It is really important to develop a broad general knowledge of politics, international relations, and history so that we can engage in thoughtful, informed discussion with others. For me, this meant using my leisure time to read as much as I can and research historical figures and events that interest me. I have also kept up to date with the news and made time to watch reliable documentaries.

PETRIA HOUVARDAS School Community Prefect All-Round Achievers List (ATAR over 99.0) Bachelor of Arts & Business / Law - UNSW What is your fondest memory of your time at PLC Sydney? Forming friendships that I know will last a life time, learning interesting concepts and ideas that have shaped my perception of the world.

ZOE JEWELL

PIPER LEE

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award School Captain All-Round Achievers List (ATAR over 99.0) Bachelor of Law / Bachelor of Commerce - ANU

School Community Prefect Bachelor of Primary Education - University of Notre Dame, Sydney

What contributed to your final year/and HSC success? Firstly, my family has been so supportive of me and the paths that I have taken. They have encouraged me to participate in a range of new activities, as well as studying well. Secondly, the staff at PLC Sydney have fostered my love of learning, which ultimately motivated me to work as hard as I did. By delivering the content in an engaging and fun way, as well as their constructive criticism of my work, I was able to develop as a student. Additionally, the supportive and caring nature of both my teachers and executive staff at PLC Sydney made school like a second home to me, a place where I felt safe and knew I could get reassurance and encouragement. Finally, my peers made school such a joy, and collaborating with them on difficult tasks enriched my knowledge as well as regulated my stress and worry.

VANESSA KWA Music Captain Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Taronga Wildlife Conservation) - University of Sydney What is the most valuable lesson you learned at PLC Sydney? The importance of servant leadership. I have been blessed with many leadership roles at PLC Sydney, such as Music Vice-Captain in Year 6, Fuel Leadership from Year 10-12, Peer Support in Year 10, and Music Captaincy in Year 12. Each role has taught me further on how best to lead my peers, how to organise events, how to help each person through their days, good and bad. It has taught me how to solve problems under pressure, how plans are plans but even the best will sometimes fall and there are always ways bounce back. I am so grateful for these incredible opportunities that I have been given, and I believe this is one of the most valuable lessons I have learnt at school.

“I am extraordinarily grateful for the guidance and support of my teachers, family and friends.”

If you could offer a tip to someone about to do their final year, what would it be? Make sure you do a weekly plan for each subject and set out a goal for what you want to achieve by the end of each week. I found this a great help especially for my two major works.

ANAIS LOWE Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Senior Prefect Bachelor of Architectural Studies - UNSW What contributed to your final year/and or HSC success? Something that had definitely contributed to my final year are perseverance in the face of learning obstacles. I have learnt many things this year, particularly “learning for learning’s sake” or in other words, just enjoying what I learn from others and independently whilst studying. I also think hard work does pay off, doing everything to the best of my ability and having an open mind towards something that is different from what I am used to.

AMELIE LARSEN Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award School Community Prefects All-Round Achievers List (ATAR over 99.0) Bachelor of Advanced Science (Pre-Medicine major) - UTS What is the most valuable lesson you learned at PLC Sydney? The most valuable lesson I have learned at PLC Sydney is the value of service and loving others as fundamental to a sense of community, relationship building, and simply a construct by which we live. I believe this is something that is ingrained in every aspect of the school, whether it be service learning initiatives, school community events, or the examples set by teachers and students (particularly older) who have been role models to me. I have hence learned this invaluable lesson, growing up at PLC Sydney to love and serve others above all else.

Amelie Larsen PLC SYDNEY HSC RESULTS 2021 13

HORATIA MA

MADELINE PANOS

Publications Captain All-Round Achievers List (ATAR over 99.0) Nominated for Encore (Performance): Piano Bachelor of Medical Science University of Sydney

Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award Pickard House Vice-Captain Nominated for Encore: Music Composition Bachelor of Commerce/Law UNSW

What is your fondest memory of PLC Sydney? Stepping through the doors to a College Crow meeting is really like stepping into a different world. The kids at school who usually prefer to sit on the sidelines and out of the spotlight find their place in Rooms 27 and 28. Those rooms, come Monday lunch times, are a safe space for them - they can sit with their friends and laugh and create and have no fear that anyone around them is judging them and where they can make new friends too. I know I’ve made so many new friends even in my last year at College Crow. These meetings, whether I was captain or just a writer sitting at the back of the classroom, are my fondest memories of my time at PLC Sydney.

EMILY MOLONEY Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award School Vice-Captain Bachelor of Medical Research - University of Tasmania How important was it for you to balance your academic focus with other activities? I had a very determined study ethic, so it was very important to balance that with other things, particularly exercise. Throughout school I loved sport - particularly athletics, cross country and was in the PLC Sydney Hockey firsts, so I joined external sports clubs to ensure I continued to exercise and had some down time from my studies. 14

If you could offer a tip to someone about to do their final year, what would it be? That curiosity and passion should drive your learning rather than instructions and expectations from others. If you are genuinely interested in the subject you’ll enjoy it more and end up with a better understanding. Also take advantage of all the opportunity on offer and keep reminding yourself of how powerful an education is.

KRYSTAL RAHARDJA Bachelor of Design in Interior Architecture - UTS What contributed to your final year/and or HSC success? The things that contributed to my final year and potential HSC success are the undying support from the people around me. These mainly include my family, my friends, my tutors, my teachers and the school community. I really appreciate the fact that they have full faith in my academic abilities and are willing to support me especially when I am at the point of giving up. I am eternally grateful that I have such a large support network and I can rely on them to have my back no matter how tough the circumstances this year will be. I continued playing at the Australian Volleyball League too, which I also intend to do after leaving school.

SKYE RODGERS

ARIANE SHARPE

Top Achievers in Course List: 1st in Food Technology Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) - Macquarie University

Anderson House Vice-Captain Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) - UTS

If you could offer a tip to someone about to do their final year, what would it be?

What is your fondest memory of your time at PLC Sydney?

The advice I would give to someone is to do the best you can in each task that you encounter and that mistakes are inevitable but it is how you approach them that really defines who you are; it allows you to grow into a better person. I would also advise to live in the moment and know that the hard work you put in will pay off, even though at times it may not feel that way. Another tip is to just do what you enjoy and take breaks from your study because it is impossible to be working hours on end.

My fondest memory was going on the international exchange to Germany. Through this program I gained so much independence and maturity that helped me rise above the challenges of Year 11 and 12. The feeling of responsibility and trust that I felt when walking towards the gates with the other girls, without any parental or adult supervision made me realise how much I had grown up and what I was capable of conquering. Whilst on exchange, the cultural immersion I experienced in staying is such a small German village increased my awareness for the world outside the green gates, due to the contrast between living and going to school in Sydney.

ANGELA ROFAIL School Vice-Captain All-Round Achievers List (ATAR over 99.0) National Representative Public Speaking and Science Bachelor of Medical Studies/ Doctor of Medicine - UNSW What is the most valuable lesson you learned at PLC Sydney? It’s easy to feel scared and to channel that fear into tormenting yourself, so the most valuable lesson I learned at PLC Sydney is written in the Bible, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.” (John 4:18). The answer, was, is, always will be to love.

ANNABEL SMITH Bachelor of Communication - UTS What is your fondest memory of your time at PLC Sydney? For me that would have to be the grand final of my hockey team in 2019. We were the Junior firsts and throughout the whole game the score board was bouncing back and forth. There was 10 minutes to go and both teams were tying and all the girls were working together on attacking and defending. In those 10 minutes we relied on each other to perform and win, in the last minute we scored a goal and won the game, in that moment I was so proud of my team for working together and fighting with determination and a positive attitude. That was my favourite sporting experience and memory.

BIANCA WALTON School Community Prefect National Representative Open Water Swimming Chiropractic Science Macquarie University How important was it for you to balance your academic focus with other activities? As an elite athlete, over this past year, I have used my training as a break from my studies and this has helped me be more focused during my study time, as well as some much needed mental rest.

SUMMER WANLESS Selected for Texstyle Exhibition Bachelor of Design (Fashion) - Whitehouse Institute of Design, Australia What is your fondest memory of your time at PLC Sydney? The togetherness of a year group and the constant support. What stood out the most was the fun that came with learning and sport that elevated my experience at PLC Sydney to what it has been. (I was involved in rhythmic gymnastics for 10 years and participated in Rowing for four years).

PLC SYDNEY HSC RESULTS 2021 15

PLC SYDNEY HSC RESULTS 2021 17