The futures of Melville High School students Sophie Baker and Ila Winterburn have become more clear after the two received exceptional ATAR scores.
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Sophie topped her year with an impressive 91.5 while Ila earned an 89.15.
Sophie has received early acceptance into a double degree of maths and science at The University of Newcastle and is looking forward to where her studies will take her.
“I am excited about starting at University next year,” Sophie told the Argus.
“I am unsure what I will do when I am finished, I think I will get more of an idea once I have started studying and figure out what interests me the most.”
Sophie has a strong interest in chemistry and physics but it was hospitality where she scored highest.
The bright student earned a band six with a score of 91 while her next best result was in advanced maths, where she received an 88.
Sophie felt “relieved” when she first read her score, with the hard work and dedication she put into her HSC year paying dividends.
“I would go to school an hour early each day to receive tutoring from teachers,” Sophie said. “And spend another four hours studying each night.
“The teachers here at Melville were very supportive and did everything they could to help.”
Meanwhile Ila, who was pleasantly surprised by her ATAR score, plans to take a break from study and have a gap year.
Ila, who has a strong interest in literature and is currently writing short stories and scripts, earned a band six in Ancient History with a score of 92 while she topped the year in English, receiving a score of 88.
“I was pretty happy, I didn’t think I was going to get a score that high, especially in Ancient History,” Ila said.
“I was told it was hard to get a band six in Ancient History and it was very exciting and a bit surprising to accomplish it.”
The Frederickton resident hopes to receive a full-time job locally and save money before she makes the trip to Newcastle to potentially study a communications and media degree in 2020.
“I am not quite sure what I will study but I love to write,” Ila said.
The two students were pleased with their results but were glad the process is now over.
“It was very stressful, there’s a lot of pressure to perform well and I was relieved when I saw I had a high score and it was all over,” Sophie said.
Sophie had a piece of advice for students who are embarking on Year 12.
“Try to remember it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t do well, but to also give it your best,” Sophie said.
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