Academic achievement

Achievements in recent years, particularly in the HSC (Higher School Certificate), have attested to the school's success in academic areas.

• outstanding HSC results, ranking Willoughby Girls High School among the top schools in the state
• high percentages of students scoring 90 or more on the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR)
• on average each year, 90% of students gaining entry to university and  10% to other tertiary institutions of which 40% are early entry offers.
• many students recognised on the HSC Merit List for attaining course placements in the state
  
• impressive standards on national literacy and numeracy measures (NAPLAN) and state science measures (ESSA)
• extension classes for selected students throughout the junior years in English, mathematics, science, history and geography, and the full range of extension courses offered in the senior school
  
• excellent results in local, state and national competitions and awards, with many opportunities for gifted and talented students
  

2021 Highlights

In 2021 155 Year 12 students sat their HSC at Willoughby Girls and gained 178 mentions on the Distinguished Achievers Honour Roll for scoring 90 or more in a course. Our school was ranked 1st among all comprehensive public schools in NSW. Of the 155 students who requested an ATAR, 44 students (28%) achieved an ATAR of 90 or above.

Congratulations to the 2021 Dux, Karina Kuang who attained the highest ATAR with 99.9, followed closely by 99.4, scored by Stephanie Busuki.

Four students were ‘all rounders”, meaning they scored a mark of 90 or more in all their five top subjects. These girls are: Grace Bu, Stephanie Busuki, Karina Kuang and Jennifer Wang.

Four Students placed in the top ten of their subjects:

·         Karina Kuang – 1^st in State in Advanced Mathematics

·         Karina Kuang – Japanese Beginners

·         Tabasum Dehsabzi – Society & Culture

·         Yu Na Chung – Society & Culture

·         Christy Leung – Retail Services Examination

In addition, Stephanie Basuki received HSC showcase nominations for her major work in TexStyle – Textiles & Design.

Willoughby Girls High School achieved nine awards for Society and Culture Personal Interest Projects:

• Five students achieved High Distinctions – Yu Na Chung, Grace Bu, Jade Yee-Smith, Kushi Leggo and crystal Wan.
• Four students achieved Distinctions – India-Rose de Caires, Keira Bingham, Tabsasum Dehsabsi and Katya Ivkovic

83% received direct University offers, and 34% of these were made prior to the January main round of offers.

2020 Highlights

In 2020 138 Year 12 students sat their HSC at Willoughby Girls and gained 171 mentions on the Distinguished Achievers Honour Roll for scoring 90 or more in a course.  Our school was ranked 2nd among all comprehensive public schools in NSW.  Of the 135 students who requested an ATAR, 43 students (32%) achieved an ATAR of 90 or above.

Congratulations to the 2020 Dux, Rachel Zhao who attained the highest ATAR with 99.3, followed closely by 99.2, scored by Aela Morrison.

Nine students were ‘all rounders”, meaning they scored a mark of 90 or more in all their five top subjects. These girls are: Madeleine Fenning, Heidi Finlayson, Ruby Kopsiaftis, Holly Lu, Aela Morrison, Penny (Peiyi) Rong, Philippa Taylor, Chloe Wilson and Rachel Zhao.

Three girls placed in the top ten of their subjects:

Ella Carnegie – Hospitality

Madeleine Fenning – Design and Technology

Heidi Finlayson – Society and Culture

In addition, several students received HSC showcase nominations for their major works:

ArtExpress – Visual Art show-case - Ella Carnegie, Phyllis Chan, Emma Francis, Haoyi Han, Melanie Hirunsook, Madeleine Page

TexStyle – Textiles and Design show-case - Ruby Kopsiaftis, Philippa Taylor

Shape – Design and Technology show-case - Madeleine Fenning

Encore – Music showcase - Anika Chan

Willoughby Girls High School achieved nine awards for Society and Culture Personal Interest Projects:

• Three students achieved High Distinctions – Michelle Foerderer, Madison Wilson and Sophie Ridley
• Six students achieved Distinctions – Stephany Lu, Heidi Finlayson, Allegra Nash, Lucy Matthews, Savanah Kopsias and Lucinda Devereaux

90% received direct University offers, and 46% of these were made prior to the January main round of offers.

2019 Highlights

In 2019 174 Year 12 students sat their HSC at Willoughby Girls and gained 192 mentions on the Distinguished Achievers Honour Roll for scoring 90 or more in a course.  Our school was ranked 1st among all comprehensive public schools in NSW.  Of the 171 students who requested an ATAR, 58 students (36%) achieved an ATAR of 90 or above.

Congratulations to 2019 Year 12 DUX, Priscilla Yun who attained the top ATAR with 98.65.

Six students were placed in the top ten of a subject:

Society & Culture - Mariam Arsalah 7th, Josephne Lee 8^th, Tess Guo 9^th and Zahra Kumarasinhe 10^th

English Standard - Rose Stewart 

Korean Beginners - Jackie Fenn – first in NSW.

Two students, Nausheen Mazari and Danielle Sacks achieved All Rounder Awards gaining a Band 6 (a mark greater than 90) for at least ten units of study.

Several students’ major works were nominated for the 2019 HSC showcases:

·         Kiyoka Hayashi – nominated for music

·         Zoe Petratos, Bianca Love and Grace Donaldson – dance (completed through Bradfield College)

·         Michaela Pisani – ArtExpress

·         Jacinta Chang – Textiles showcase

·         Jemma Chan and Tracey Lau – Design & Technology showcase

·         Jemima Brooker – Extension 2 English showcase

Willoughby Girls High School achieved nine awards for Society and Culture Personal Interest Projects:

·         Five students achieved High Distinctions– Karen Yoshimura, Georgia Topic, Mariam Arsalah, Mika Nakamura, Zahra Kumarasinhe

·         Four students achieved Distinctions – Anna Suzuki, Maria Ciccone, Cassandra Song and Eliana Digby

148 students – 86% received direct University offers, and 139 of these were made prior to the January main round of offers. 

2018 highlights

In 2018, 144 Year 12 students sat for their HSC and gained 187 mentions on the Distinguished Achievers Honour Roll for scoring 90 or more in a course. Our school was ranked first among all comprehensive public schools in NSW. Of the 137 students who requested an ATAR, 49 students (36%) achieved an ATAR of 90 or above.

Congratulations to 2018 Year 12 DUX, Siobhan Lynch who attained the top ATAR of 99 .

Three students achieved placement in the top ten of a subject:

Siobhan Lynch - Ancient History - 8th

Amanda Crowe - English (Standard) - 16th

Sarah Imlay - English (Extension 2) - 6th

Five students – Vivien Janitz, Grace Kopsiaftis, Siobhan Lynch, Sarah McKinnon and Elen Thomas achieved All Rounder Awards gaining a Band 6 (a mark greater than 90) for at least ten units of study.

Several student, major works were selected for the 2018 HSC showcases:

• Laura Francis, Sarah Imlay, Lauren Ward, Ashleigh Yoon and Holly Braico were selected for ArtExpress (exhibition of outstanding  Visual Arts work)
  
• Orfi Einav's critical essay was selected for Encore (outstanding HSC music major works)

Willoughby Girls High School was the only school in NSW to achieve more than one award for Society and Culture Personal Interest Projects, achieving 10 overall:

• Five students achieved High Distinctions - Layla Aoki, Jordyn Hicks, Aurelia Winsenberg, Isabel Carter and Holly Braico; Five students achieved Distinctions - Vivien Janitz, Isabella Cavanagh, Josephine Maltese, Alexandra Crowhurst and Aleisha Hyslop.

80% of students received first round University offers, with several of these students gaining advanced entry into their chosen courses.

2017 highlights

In 2017, 162 Year 12 students sat for their HSC and gained 185 mentions on the Distinguished Achievers Honour Roll for scoring 90 or more in a course. Our school was ranked among the top two comprehensive public schools in NSW. In total, 54 students (or 34%) gained an ATAR of 90 or above.

Congratulations to 2017 Year 12 student Olivia Yu who attained the top ATAR with 99.9, closely followed by her sister, Ophelia who achieved an ATAR of 99.85 .

Four students achieved placement in the top 10 of a subject.

Sally Fenton achieved 3rd place in the state in community and family studies. Ruby Hammersley was placed 5th in extension 2 English. Rachel Hui was placed 8th in English as a second language (ESL) and Annie Martin gained 8th place in the state for society and culture.

Five students – Chelsea Kim, Jade Medin, Lulu Webb and Olivia and Ophelia Yu – achieved All Rounder Awards gaining a band 6 (a mark greater than 90) for at least 10 units of study.

Several students were nominated for the 2017 HSC showcases:

• Shu Li Lau, Emma Seaman, Keona Uncle and Mia Yoneda were nominated for ArtExpress (exhibition of outstanding visual arts works)
  
• Naae Kim for Encore (outstanding HSC music performances)
  
• Logan Woodman, Sophie Tzoumis, Alice-Rose Luccetti and Tamra Foy were nominated for OnStage drama performances, and
  
• Sophie Tzoumas as well as Siobhan Lynch and Elen Thompson, Year 11, were nominated for CallBack – outstanding HSC dance.

Of our students, 80% received first round university offers, with several of these students gaining advanced entry into their chosen courses.

2016 highlights

In 2016, 147 students sat for their HSC and gained 164 mentions on the Distinguished Achievers Honour Roll (band 6) for scoring 90 or more in a course. Our school was ranked among the top five comprehensive public schools in NSW. Over 30% of students gained an ATAR of 90 or above.

Congratulations to 2016 Year 12 student Helaine Liew who attained the top ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) with 99.7, closely followed by Lily Morton and Alissa Stark, both achieving at ATAR of 99.4 and both placed in the top 10 students in ancient history. Helaine Liew achieved first place in the state in society and culture and Jennifer Henoch achieved fourth place in PDHPE (personal development, health and physical education).

Four students – Na Yeon (Katherine) Lee, Helaine Liew, Yiru (Suzie) Ling and Lily Morton achieved All Rounder Awards gaining a band 6 (a mark greater than 90) for at least 10 units of study.

Four students were nominated for the 2015 HSC showcases:

• Three for ArtExpress (exhibition of outstanding Visual Arts works)
  
• One for Encore (outstanding HSC music performances)
  

Courses with band 6 results included ancient history, biology, business studies, chemistry, Chinese background speakers, design and technology, economics,  English advanced, English standard, English as a Second Language, English extension 1, English extension 2, Japanese beginners, Japanese continuers, Japanese extension, legal studies, mathematics general, mathematics, mathematics extension 1, mathematics extension 2, modern history, history extension, music 1, music 2, music extension, PDHPE (Personal development, health and physical education), Senior science, society and culture, studies of religion II, textiles and design, and visual arts.

In total, 122 graduates (or 83%) received first round university offers, with several of these students gaining advanced entry into their chosen courses.