Six students from schools in St George and Sutherland Shire who topped the state in their respective HSC subjects received First in Course certificates at an awards ceremony in Sydney today.
Port Hacking High School student Emma Gaston topped Society and Culture while Imogen Croucher, who attended St George Christian School, came first in Food Technology.
St George Girls High School student Maja Vasic came first in Latin Continuers while Viktoria Gosarevska topped Macedonian Continuers, which she studied at Saturday School of Community Languages, Kogarah High School Centre.
Savina-Ipapanti Ellina came first in both Modern Greek Continuers and Modern Greek Extension. She studied the subject at Saturday School of Community Languages, St George Girls High School Centre.
The six students included in the 2019 First in Course merit list were among those recognised by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell for their extraordinary academic achievement one day before HSC results are released.
Ms Berejiklian said finishing first in one of the 119 HSC courses offered this year was an outstanding accomplishment.
"These students have worked extremely hard and put in countless hours of effort and study, and they should be very proud of their remarkable academic achievements," Ms Berejiklian said.
More than 66,000 students completed their HSC this year. Of those, 55,000 will receive an ATAR, or Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank, which determines university entry.
Ms Mitchell also commended those students who were included on the all-round achievers, top achievers or distinguished achievers merit lists.
"Congratulations to the 1449 students who the received the all round achievers award this year for scoring in the highest band in at least 10 units of study," Ms Mitchell said.
A further 790 students received top achiever awards while 17,123 were on the distinguished achievers list.
HSC students who sat at least one exam will receive their HSC results tomorrow morning from 6am.
Port Hacking High School congratulated Emma, who was the 2019 School Captain, on its Facebook page.
"Emma is a brilliant young woman who has earned this phenomenal result through her diligent commitment to her studies. Congratulations to Emma and to her teacher, Natalie Blacker - a well-deserved success!"
The see the 2019 First in Course merit list click here. The other merit lists are yet to be updated.
