Four Western Sydney Catholic School Students top the state in HSC

Gilroy Catholic College Castle Hill, Catherine McAuley Westmead, Santa Sophia Catholic College Gables and Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park are celebrating the achievements of their students who have been awarded First-in-Course at a HSC awards ceremony presented by The Hon. Courtney Houssos, MLC Acting for and on behalf of the Minister for Education and Early Learning, and Minister for Western Sydney on Wednesday 17 December at the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

In an impressive achievement Santa Sophia student Mankirat Kaur has attained First-in-Course in English Standard. English Standard is the largest HSC subject by candidature and is undertaken by more than 33,400 students statewide.

“I was so overwhelmed with emotions, I was extremely excited to share the news with my family and to see their reactions. I just felt extremely happy,” Mankirat said. “I plan to become a commercial pilot for Qantas and I am currently in the selection process.”

“My teachers became my support system throughout my two years at Santa Sophia,” she shared. “They always checked up on me and provided me with unwavering support and guidance. It is because of them that I have been able to achieve this great achievement and I dedicate this success to them.”

Principal Mark De Vries said the college was thrilled to hear about Mankirat’s achievement.

“Congratulations to Mankirat,” Mark said. “This is a success story for a school that is just eight years old and only our third HSC cohort. This is just rewards for the hard work that our staff do with students everyday.”

Mankirat Kaur from Santa Sophia Catholic College, Gables

Nicholas McKewen, from Gilroy Catholic College achieved First-in-Course in Mathematics Standard 1. Nicholas said he appreciated the extra opportunities provided by the school.

Nicholas said he and his family were elated with the result.

“I was shocked but could not be happier,” Nicholas said. “I really wanted to pay back my teacher Mrs Jennifer Wakeling for all the hard work she has put in with me through the years. She was an absolute mammoth part of this result.”

Nicholas plans to continue his studies at university next year and also extended his thanks to Gilroy, saying it was a ‘privilege’ to have been a part of the school community.

Gilroy’s Principal, Cheryl Merryweather, said the College was ‘absolutely delighted’ by the news.

“We are so excited for Nicholas. This is a credit to him and all of his hard work,” she said. “Nicholas is an amazing young man, he was one of our College Captains and deserves this award. This achievement is also a credit to his teacher, Jennifer Wakeling, who works exceptionally hard for all of her students."

Achieving first in the state for Mathematics is a demonstration of excellence in learning and teaching at our school.

This is the second year in a row that Gilroy is celebrating one of their students achieving first in course and builds on excellence in mathematics at CSPD following St Andrew’s College Marayong student topping the state in Mathematics Standard in 2023.

Nicholas McKewen, from Gilroy Catholic College, Castle Hill

Catherine McAuley student, Emily Gonzalez, has topped the state in Studies of Religion I, also marking the second year in a row that a Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese (CSPD) student has topped the state in Studies of Religion.

Emily, who also served as College Captain, said “When I received the news I was completely shocked but also so proud of my work.”

“I was lucky enough to have two amazing teachers, Mr Nguyen and Ms Pasion, who are to thank for my achievement. They had a strong passion for learning that is engaging which kept me keen to study hard during HSC,” Emily said. “My plans post school are to hopefully do a degree in Occupational Therapy at USYD or ACU.”

Catherine McAuley’s Principal, Mary Refalo, said she was proud of the achievement which reflects the high quality learning and teaching at the school.

“Emily has worked hard throughout her HSC year and in every year she has been at Catherine McAuley,” she said. “Her excellent result speaks to her skills in this subject, and indeed in all of her subjects. We are so proud of her and all of our students.”

“Emily’s results are also a testament to our skilled teachers at Catherine McAuley.”

This is the second year in a row Catherine McAuley is celebrating one of their students achieving first in course and builds on recent years attaining first in the state in varying HSC courses.

Emily Gonzalez from Catherine McAuley Westmead

Excelling in PDHPE, Nishika Talusani from Caroline Chisholm College Glenmore Park has achieved First-in-Course. PDHPE is studied by more than 17,700 students, making it the 6th most popular HSC course in the State.

“It’s very surreal, I was not expecting this at all, but I’m very proud of myself. It’s quite exciting,” Nishika said. “My family has been so supportive and helped me during the HSC, as well as my PE teacher, who taught me all the content I know and marked the many practice papers I gave her.”

Principal Tania Cairns congratulated Nishika on her diligence and dedication, highlighting the positive learning relationship she shared with her PDHPE teacher.

“I am extremely proud of Nishika’s result which is testament to her positive learning relationship with her teacher Mrs Caroline McElroy and her exceptional work ethic, proving that young women of Sydney’s west are empowered to excel,” she said. “Congratulations Nishika!”

Nishika Talusani from Caroline Chisholm College, Glenmore Park

CSPD Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot said he is extremely proud of the achievements from the Class of 2025.

“It is so great to see so many First-in-Course achievements across Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese and our schools in Western Sydney consistently achieving excellence,” Jack said. “I couldn’t be prouder, both of these bright and hardworking students and the expert teachers supporting them through best-practice evidence-based teaching.”

Chief Executive Officer Jack de Groot with CSPD’s four First in Course students