Cessnock High School community is celebrating and so they should.
The school received a commendation from the Department of Education for its outstanding results in the 2024 Higher School Certificate (HSC).
The NSW Department of Education has recognised 14 metro and 10 regional and rural public high schools for high growth in their 2024 HSC results from across 452 public high schools that each year guide 42,000 Year 12 students through to the HSC.
Schools were identified for demonstrating consistent growth over seven years and an increase in the number of students who achieved in the higher bands of the HSC. The schools also demonstrated positive progress for students across other achievement bands.
Cessnock High School acting principal Belinda Cooper said the recognition is testimony to the unwavering commitment of the dedicated teachers and the hard work of students.
“This commendation not only highlights our success in the 2024 HSC but also reinforces the incredible progress we have made over the past two years,” Belinda said.
“Our students’ achievements in literacy and numeracy, as demonstrated by outstanding growth in NAPLAN results from Year 7 to Year 9, reflect the consistent effort we put into explicit teaching and targeted support.
“Additionally, this is the second consecutive year that Cessnock High School has been acknowledged for its HSC success, showcasing the sustained impact of our collective commitment to high expectations and continuous improvement.
“I would like to thank our community for their ongoing support and our incredible staff for their dedication to making a difference every day. We remain focused on building on this success to ensure every student at Cessnock High School has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car wrote to the schools to congratulate all 24 public high schools with letters signed jointly by Minister Car and the NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat.
State Member for Cessnock, Clayton Barr added his congratulations.
“These are outstanding results for students in Cessnock High School and I could not be prouder of this recognition,” Clayton said.
