Both students and teachers were delighted with their results, including Kurt Johnstone with an ATAR of 95.25 and Emma Fricker with an ATAR of 86.60.

Both Emma and Kurt said the exams went better then they were expecting.

“I didn’t mind it (the HSC), it was good, I did decent amount of study though,” Kurt said.

“I thought it was fairly stressful… there is a lot of pressure built up beforehand. Once the first two exams were done though it was a let off.”

“The HSC was not too bad, they are built up a lot more then what they are actually like, and the people who come and help run them are helpful and supportive,” Emma said.

Year 12 Adviser, Cameron Donnelly, said it was amazing to see how the students had grown.

“I took them (the students) over, around the end of Year 7,” he said.

“We started the year with 140 students and to see the 80 kids come through the HSC, I was extremely proud.

“I’ve only been a year adviser once and I couldn’t top it, it had its ups and downs, but its been 95 per cent an amazing experience.”

“Good luck and follow your dreams, don’t let anything get in the way of what they all can achieve,” he said.

Principal Charles Gauci, said he was proud of the results the students had received.

“I think we need to acknowledge Kurt Johnstone’s achievement in making the HSC distinguished achievers list,” he said.

“Overall the group has achieved fantastic results with 64 Band 5s and three Band 6s, which for a relatively small rural school is a great achievement in itself.

“I wish them all the very best, always remember they have a home at Cowra High School,” he said.

Both Kurt and Emma are planning to head to university, with Kurt studying science and engineering at ANU and Emma going to Newcastle for a Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery.

Both students had some final words for those facing the HSC in 2018: “Don’t stress, enjoy the year and relax, you’ll do better then you expect.”