Prue Car
Deputy Premier of New South Wales
Minister for Education and Early Learning
Minister for Western Sydney

Steve Whan
Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education

MEDIA RELEASE
Students shine as HSC First in Course results awarded to the Class of 2023

Wednesday, 13 December 2023

Students, families, and teachers will gather in Western Sydney to celebrate today as 128 students from 89 schools are awarded for achieving first or equal first place in a 2023 HSC course.

Among these top performers are 59 students from 37 NSW public schools, who achieved First in Course for HSC courses including Biology, Chemistry, Business Studies, Society and Culture, and English Extension 2.

The annual First in Course ceremony this year brings together a diverse group of students from areas including Orange and Albury in the state's central west, Lismore and Coffs Harbour in northern NSW, Wollongong in the Illawarra and Newcastle in the Hunter, and Sydney including Strathfield, Cabramatta, Liverpool, the Eastern Suburbs, Auburn, the North Shore, and Campbelltown.

Some 136 awards will be handed out to 128 students from across the three sectors today, with six students topping more than one course and 28 students achieving equal first place, as the ceremony gets underway in Parramatta.

Five students have topped the state for an English course and 18 achieved first place positions for a Mathematics course, including 12 students who shared top marks in the state for Mathematics Standard 2.

Six students topped the state for Creative Arts courses including Music, Drama, Visual Arts or Dance and 10 received top results for Science courses including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, and Science Extension.

Twelve students achieved top marks in vocational education courses, including Tourism, Travel and Events, and Automotive, Construction and Hospitality and Financial Services.

All Round Achievers, Top Achievers, and Distinguished Achievers will be published on the NESA website at midday tomorrow.

All 67,234 students will receive their results by SMS, email and online from 6am tomorrow.

The community are welcome to join us and watch the First in course celebrations online via the NESA website from 1pm today.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

"Congratulations to every HSC student who has excelled in 2023, achieving a First in Course mark.

"Our First in Course students should feel proud of the dedication they have shown and the skill they have displayed throughout the year.

"Reaching a First in Course mark is a fantastic achievement, and I hope all our students can take time to celebrate their work over the summer break."

Minister for Skills, TAFE, and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said:

"I am delighted to share in the excitement and congratulate not only those who have achieved First in Course in VET subjects, but all our graduating students who have completed a vocational course as part of their HSC.

"Celebrating these talented students reinforces Labor's commitment to rebuilding our VET system to ensure it can deliver the skilled workforce we need for a prosperous future. 

"I would encourage all students embarking on their post-school journey to explore the wealth of options available, including apprenticeships, traineeships, and TAFE."

CEO of the NSW Education Standards Authority Paul Martin said:

"Topping an HSC course is no small feat and one that deserves celebration.

"It brings me great pride and satisfaction to see young people excelling in such a diverse range of subjects - from English and Mathematics to Languages. Construction and Automotive - to Physics and Biology.

"The HSC has something for everyone to follow their passions and future goals - and you never know where that may take you."