Sydney Catholic Schools is celebrating an outstanding year of achievement with the Class of 2025 delivering some of the strongest HSC results in the system’s history.

Nearly 4,500 SCS students completed HSC exams this year, collectively achieving 2,875 Distinguished Achievers listings, 43 Top Achievers, 53 All Rounders. Five schools ranked among the top 100 high schools in NSW in The Sydney Morning Herald HSC rankings, with 17 schools in the top 150.

Eight Sydney Catholic Schools students received HSC First in Course honours for topping the state in their subject including five from Bethany College Hurstville. This placed Bethany second only to Sydney Grammar in the NSW state ranking for First in Course.

Band 6 outcomes were the strongest in five years, with the total number of top band results reaching a new record.

This was also a milestone year for Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer and De La Salle Catholic College Caringbah who celebrated their first HSC cohorts after expanding to Year 12. Our Lady of Mercy recorded an exceptional 28.4 per cent Band 6/E4 rate – twice the NSW state average of 12.4 per cent.

Sydney Catholic Schools again enjoyed incredible success across the Creative and Performing Arts and Vocational Education and Training (VET), with students receiving a record 321 nominations across HSC Showcases, and 1,989 nationally recognised VET Certificate II and III qualifications.

Sydney Catholic Schools Executive Director Danielle Cronin congratulated the Class of 2025 on their fantastic efforts. 

“These HSC results are a powerful reflection of the perseverance, ambition and commitment demonstrated by students across Sydney Catholic Schools,” she said. 

“They underscore the high expectations students hold for themselves, supported by teachers who combine academic rigour with care, guidance and a deep understanding of each learner.”

“Success takes many forms, and this year’s results reflect the rich diversity of pathways our students have pursued, grounded in strong learning foundations and a sense of purpose,” Ms Cronin said.

“A Catholic education seeks to form the whole person, and we hope our graduates leave not only with knowledge and skills, but with confidence, character and a readiness to serve and lead in the wider world.”

“We congratulate every student on their achievements and look forward with pride and optimism to the contributions they will make in the years ahead.”

2025 HSC HIGHLIGHTS

– Five Sydney Catholic Schools ranked in the Top 100 high schools in NSW and 17 schools ranked in the Top 150 in The Sydney Morning Herald rankings:

  • Brigidine College Randwick – 53
  • Marist Catholic College North Shore – 69
  • St Clare’s College Waverley – 77
  • Bethany College Hurstville – 80
  • Marist Catholic College Penshurst – 99
  • St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove – 103
  • Aquinas Catholic College Menai – 107
  • St Mary’s Cathedral College – 109
  • St John Bosco College Engadine – 116
  • Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights – 120
  • Marist College Eastwood – 125
  • Marcellin College Randwick – 128
  • Marist College Kogarah – 130
  • Domremy Catholic College – 134
  • St Patrick’s College Sutherland – 135
  • Casimir Catholic College Marrickville – 145
  • Holy Cross College Ryde – 150

– Eight students placed first in the state:
Claire Naschenweng (Entertainment Industry Examination), Allanah Touma (Business Services Examination), Emma Hardy (Dance), Charlotte D’Arcy (Design and Technology), Isabella Quilkey (Design and Technology), Catherine Smith (Industrial Technology), Nikitha Shaiju (Studies of Religion I) and Andrew Mogan (Italian Beginners).

– Highest Band 6/E4 percentages:
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic College Burraneer (28.4 per cent), Brigidine College Randwick (26.6 per cent), Marist Catholic College North Shore (23.2 per cent), St Clare’s College Waverley (21.8 per cent)

– Distinguished Achievers:
Bethany College Hurstville and Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights (184), Brigidine College Randwick (178), St Ursula’s College Kingsgrove (170)

– All Rounders:
Freeman Catholic College Bonnyrigg Heights (nine), Marist Catholic College North Shore (five), St Clare’s College Waverley (four), Aquinas Catholic College Menai (four)

– Top Achievers:
Brigidine College Randwick and Bethany College Hurstville (six), St Patrick’s College Sutherland (five), All Saints Catholic College Liverpool (four)

– Creative and Performing Arts:
181 nominations across CALLBACK, OnSTAGE, ENCORE, ARTEXPRESS and Young Writers, with 21 Inclusions

– Technology and Applied Studies:
139 nominations across SHAPE, InTech and TexStyle, with five inclusions 

– Vocational Education and Training:
1,989 Certificate II and III qualifications attained