Nikala Mills achieved a Band 6 in Senior Science which placed her on the Merit List.

Nikala and other New England and North West public school students celebrating success following the release of the 2018 Higher School certificate results yesterday have been congratulated by Department of Education Executive Director Frank Potter.

Mr Potter said heartwarming stories of achievement are coming from schools across the New England and North West.

“There is certainly plenty of reasons to celebrate,” Mr Potter said.

“Our students should enjoy a strong sense of achievement from these wonderful results.

“Parents and teachers can certainly share their pride as they look back on 13 years of schooling and how the students have been rewarded for their efforts.

“These results are sealing students’ personal goal and should confidently take them to the next step of further study or employment.

“There have been some exceptional results and everyone who has been recognised on a NESA (NSW Educational Standards Authority, which administers the HSC) achievement rankings list deserves congratulations.

“I am particularly delighted with the spread of schools across the New England and North West that have been noted for their achievements.

“It really highlights how our New England and North West public schools focus on individual students to achieve their best across the full spectrum of abilities and aspirations.”

Mr Potter congratulated Quirindi High student, Nicholas Hamilton who was yesterday announced as topping the state in Metals and Engineering.

He also commended the 15 New England and North West public schools where students earned a top band to make them a Distinguished Achiever.

Ranging from some of the smallest to the largest secondary schools, they were:

·        Armidale High

·        Barraba Central

·        Duval High

·        Farrer Memorial Agricultural High

·        Glen Innes High

·        Inverell High

·        Macintyre High

·        Moree Secondary College

·        Narrabri High

·        Oxley High

·        Peel High

·        Quirindi High

·        Uralla Central

·        Walcha Central

·        Warialda High