The New England region’s leading private schools—Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School, Calrossy Anglican School, PLC Armidale, The Armidale School (TAS), and NEGS Armidale —are celebrating exceptional performances in the 2025 Higher School Certificate (HSC), with students achieving top ATARs, All Rounder distinctions, state-level showcases, and Band 6 results across a wide range of subjects.
Together, the schools have produced more than 50 Distinguished Achievers, multiple ATARs above 97, and strong results in both academic and co-curricular domains, reflecting the quality of teaching and student commitment in northern New South Wales.
Farrer: Excellence in Agriculture, Leadership and STEM
Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School also marked a strong 2025 HSC showing, with achievements across Agriculture, STEM and the Creative and Performing Arts.
“While we celebrate the outstanding HSC results of our top academic performers, we also acknowledge the diverse achievements of students securing places in tertiary study, employment, and industry pathways,” said a Farrer spokesperson.
Key highlights include:
- First in NSW in the Primary Industries Examination
- 13 Band 6s across six subjects; 50 Band 5s in total
- Eight students named on the HSC Distinguished Achievers List
- Band 5 and 6 results across 19 subjects
- Eight nominations in SHAPE, one in OnStage (Drama)
John Cooper, Farrer Dayboy Prefect, achieved an ATAR of 97.4, earning Band 6s in Economics, Engineering Studies and Mathematics Extension 1. He also received the Donald Campbell Ellis Memorial Prize and was named Dux of the Trial HSC.
Boarder Prefect Bateson Pittman secured first in course for Primary Industries and was named a Distinguished Achiever in both Primary Industries and Agriculture. His academic results were complemented by several major school awards.
Farrer’s Distinguished Achievers also included:
- Harry Bartholomew – Agriculture, Mathematics Standard 2, Primary Industries
- Mathew Beattie – Industrial Technology
- D’Arcy Cassidy – Agriculture
- Beau Mainey – Primary Industries
- Henry Richards – Industrial Technology
- Matthew Rodgers – Industrial Technology
Creative Arts recognitions included OnStage nominee Max Gallagher (Drama) and SHAPE nominations for eight students across Industrial Technology, Design and Technology, and Textiles and Design.
Calrossy: All round achiever keeping his score private
Calrossy students achieved 45 top band results across 22 subjects, highlighting both the diversity of courses on offer and the strength of outcomes across the curriculum. In total, 21 students were recognised as Distinguished Achievers, having achieved a top band result in at least one course.
One student, Albert Smyth, was named an All Round Achiever after receiving top band results in Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2 and Physics. Albert has also been named Dux of Calrossy for 2025. While he is happy to confirm the title, he has politely declined to put a number to his name, choosing to keep his ATAR undisclosed — a modest move that the school says they respect.
Albert is joined by nine other students who achieved ATARs above 90: Nick Green, Skye Vaughan, Alice O’Brien, Dimity Laurie, Ella McWilliam, Cailey Magill, Megan Carr, Carla Kwaakernak and Milly McRae.
Two accelerated students, Phoebe Rankmore and Jennifer Sung, achieved outstanding results this year, demonstrating that students can be both challenged and supported to excel ahead of schedule.
PLC: Leading the New England North West
PLC Armidale has again emerged as the highest-performing school in the New England North West region following the release of the 2025 Higher School Certificate (HSC) results.
From ATARs released to the College, 46 per cent of students achieved an ATAR above 85, with 27 per cent above 90 and 19 per cent above 95.
Joint Dux Amelie Van der Werf recorded the highest ATAR in the region (99.1) with fellow Joint Dux Nevada Guiance recording 98.1. Other notable College ATARS above 90 include Arlie Bragg (98.25), Emily Blake (96), Khushi Aila (95.05), Daisy Sheedy (93.15) and Tautiko Lay (91.75).
College Principal Mrs Nicola Taylor said the results reflected a consistent approach to learning.
“The Class of 2025 worked steadily across a wide range of subjects and pathways, and these results reflect that sustained effort,” Mrs Taylor said.
PLC Armidale was ranked 69th in NSW on The Daily Telegraph list of high-performing schools, based on the proportion of Band 6 results achieved, making it the leading school in the New England North West.
TAS: All Rounders, Top ATARs and Statewide Recognition
At The Armidale School, Senior Prefect Jack Coddington was named Dux after achieving an ATAR of 97.85, with Band 6s in Economics, Engineering Studies, Mathematics Extension 1 and Mathematics Advanced.
“I was particularly surprised with English, which was quite a boost from the Trials,” he said. “This year especially with my other commitments it was important to use my time effectively and be really focused, and I guess that paid off.”
Jack hopes to study Economics or Commerce at either the University of Sydney or the University of Queensland.
TAS celebrated a strong academic year overall, with two All Round Achievers: Lang Toakley (ATAR 97.8) and Scarlett Buntine (97.35), both earning Band 6s in 10 or more units, and 21 students on the Distinguished Achievers List, collectively earning 48 Band 6s across 27 subjects.
Lang, a competitive golfer aiming for a sports scholarship overseas, said earning Band 6s across all his subjects—including Economics, Geography, Legal Studies and Modern History—was “like acing a hole in one.”
Scarlett’s six Band 6 results included English Advanced, Modern History and PDHPE. She plans to work in Canada before studying Law at the University of Queensland.
TAS was ranked among the top 200 schools in NSW, and recognised as the highest-performing co-educational school in northern NSW.
Principal Mr Ray Pearson said the breadth of subject achievement was particularly pleasing.
“To have two students on the All Rounders Achievers List is a wonderful outcome for Lang and Scarlett who deserve such a fabulous result for all their hard work and commitment,” he said.
NEGS: Surpassing State Benchmarks in Nine Subjects
NEGS Armidale also delivered outstanding results, with students exceeding state averages in nine subject areas and receiving multiple Distinguished Achiever listings.
“I am delighted to share the outstanding academic achievements of our 2025 HSC cohort,” said Principal Ms Liz van Genderen.
“Our students have exceeded state benchmarks across nine courses and achieved exceptional individual results, reflecting their dedication, resilience and commitment to learning.”
NEGS students achieved a top ATAR of 92.85 and three Distinguished Achievers.
Ms van Genderen attributed the success to the empowering nature of an all-girls education.
“These results also speak powerfully to the strength of an all-girls education at NEGS. In an environment designed to nurture confidence, ambition and intellectual curiosity, students are encouraged to take academic risks, lead with assurance and strive for personal excellence.”
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