Jewish students and schools soar to success

Moriah College climbed 23 spots to clinch 18th place overall – and rank eighth among all private schools – in the 2021 HSC results, released on January 20.

In doing so, Moriah became the highest-ranked Jewish day school in Sydney for the first time in several years, leapfrogging 2020 leader Emanuel School, which still ranked 36th this time – up two places.

Masada College was the third-placed Jewish school based on rankings, but made the biggest year-on-year improvement, rising from 113th to 68th in the state.

In the Best in Subject department, Kesser Torah College (KTC) soared in Classical Hebrew Extension, with its students claiming all top-five places.

And in the Top All-Rounders list – which recognises students who score 90 or more in 10 or more units of study – Moriah led the way with 17 students, followed by Emanuel with four, and Masada with three.

In what was another trying year for all HSC students, an almost four-month COVID lockdown in Sydney in the second half of 2021 meant long periods of online-based teaching and learning, and a postponement, until November, of the start of the HSC final exams.

Reflecting on Moriah College’s notable rise in the HSC rankings – which also saw it become the second top non-selective co-educational school – college principal Rabbi Yehoshua Smukler said, “We are enormously proud of the achievements of the Class of 2021.

“Our Moriah family has proven that with goodwill, creativity and positivity – and a healthy dose of innovation and agility – we can overcome any challenges, and accomplish anything we set our minds to.

“The HSC results are truly outstanding, and an affirmation of the dedication of our teachers, the care and hard work with which they have inspired our children to do their best, and the commitment, resilience, and tenacity of our students.”

Of Moriah’s HSC students, seven per cent achieved an ATAR of above 99, and 33 per cent above 95.

At Emanuel School, 29.9 per cent of students achieved an ATAR of more than 95, and 3.9 per cent above 99, with principal Andrew Watt expressing delight at the school’s HSC results “exceeding expectations under the shadow of the COVID pandemic”.

“I am very proud of the students’ resilience and perseverance. We congratulate the teachers and students of those subjects that achieved consistently strong results this year.

“It is equally important to acknowledge those who performed at their personal best, at whatever level that may have been.”

Of Masada College’s Class of 2021, 53 per cent made the Distinguished Achievers List, and 31 per cent achieved an ATAR greater than 90.

Commenting on Masada’s rankings rise by 45 places, the college’s principal Mira Hasofer said, “Our remarkable students took the unprecedented challenges of 2020 and 2021 in their stride, and emerged as confident, capable young men and women.”

Noting that 70 per cent of KTC’s HSC students made the Distinguished Achievers List, and 35 per cent attained an ATAR that placed them in the top 10 per cent in the state, principal Roy Steinman wished them “mazal tov on their achievement”, and also thanked the teachers “for their extraordinary dedication and professionalism”.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet congratulated all 76,000 HSC students, reserving particular praise for the 139 students who topped at least one HSC course, including four Jewish students.

“That is an incredible achievement at the best of times,” Perrottet said, “[but] to do so now highlights, even more so, the grit, dedication, and talent of these students.”

KTC student Shoshana Spielman topped two HSC subjects – Classical Hebrew Continuers, and Classical Hebrew Extension.

Reddam House student Talia Aviva Machet came equal first in Dance.

Shanni Yehuda from Sydney Girls’ High School came out on top in Latin Continuers.

And Killara High School student Guy Ashkenazy, tutored by a NSW Board of Jewish Education (BJE) Hebrew teacher, was first in Modern Hebrew Continuers.

Spielman told The AJN many factors helped her achieve, including support from her family and teachers, being organised, adaptable, enjoying her subjects, and “being kind to yourself”.

“Also, it’s about having an attitude that’s not about being the best, but rather about doing the best you can,” she said.

Full coverage of the HSC results will appear in a special supplement in next week’s Sydney AJN edition. Don’t forget to purchase your copy!