Latest news with #ConcordHigh
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
Revealed: The secrets behind Sydney's top schools for HSC maths
Five years ago, the principal at Concord High decided to upend the school's year 7 timetable to ease the often rocky transition for students making the leap from primary to high school. 'We introduced a middle school model to focus on that transition,' explains Victor Newby. 'We now group subjects like maths and science with one teacher, and English and history with another. It means year 7 students have six teachers rather than 12, which helps make that move into high school smoother.' It was among multiple changes at the inner west high school in 2020, including employing a senior study coach for HSC students, and starting an after-hours algebra club for year 10s. Concord High is one of several schools to achieve improved average HSC scores in mathematics over the past three years, a Herald analysis of public school final exam results has revealed. Concord's average HSC score across all maths courses taken has jumped more than three marks to 83.4, placing it in the top five non-selective state schools. Academically selective school North Sydney Boys High achieved the highest average score in maths, with an average across all maths courses of 91.7. James Ruse scored an average of 91.4, while Baulkham Hills scored an average mark of 90, narrowly eclipsing Sydney Boys High (89.9) and Normanhurst Boys (89.5). Most fully selective schools offer only advanced maths and extension 1 and 2 subjects, rather than the standard courses. The analysis, from data published in 385 NSW public schools' annual reports in 2024, reveals those achieving strong maths results across their entire student cohort, not just band 6 results.
The Age
a day ago
- General
- The Age
Revealed: The secrets behind Sydney's top schools for HSC maths
Five years ago, the principal at Concord High decided to upend the school's year 7 timetable to ease the often rocky transition for students making the leap from primary to high school. 'We introduced a middle school model to focus on that transition,' explains Victor Newby. 'We now group subjects like maths and science with one teacher, and English and history with another. It means year 7 students have six teachers rather than 12, which helps make that move into high school smoother.' It was among multiple changes at the inner west high school in 2020, including employing a senior study coach for HSC students, and starting an after-hours algebra club for year 10s. Concord High is one of several schools to achieve improved average HSC scores in mathematics over the past three years, a Herald analysis of public school final exam results has revealed. Concord's average HSC score across all maths courses taken has jumped more than three marks to 83.4, placing it in the top five non-selective state schools. Academically selective school North Sydney Boys High achieved the highest average score in maths, with an average across all maths courses of 91.7. James Ruse scored an average of 91.4, while Baulkham Hills scored an average mark of 90, narrowly eclipsing Sydney Boys High (89.9) and Normanhurst Boys (89.5). Most fully selective schools offer only advanced maths and extension 1 and 2 subjects, rather than the standard courses. The analysis, from data published in 385 NSW public schools' annual reports in 2024, reveals those achieving strong maths results across their entire student cohort, not just band 6 results.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Don't take AmeriCorps NCCC away from the next generation
"Cutting AmeriCorps NCCC isn't a budgetary win. It's a national loss." (Photo courtesy of Maria Wilkinson) In 2015, just four months after graduating from Concord High, I arrived in California to begin a year of service to my country. Not through the military or college, but through AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) — a program that would change my life in ways I never expected. On our first day, we were told: 'You're not here to help others — you're here for yourselves.' At first, that felt selfish. But over the next 10 months, I came to understand what that meant. Yes, we were serving others — but through that service, we were also learning, growing, and transforming ourselves. I was assigned to the West Coast campus and placed on a team with 11 other young people from all across the country. We lived together, cooked together, worked out together — and most importantly, we served together. In Montana, we helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity. In California, we spent months clearing brush to reduce wildfire risk. In Utah, we served as camp counselors for individuals with disabilities. On weekends, we volunteered in local communities — cooking Sunday breakfasts at churches, planting trees to prevent erosion, cleaning up community gardens. We lived on less than $200 a month. We didn't join AmeriCorps for the money — we joined because we wanted to be part of something bigger than ourselves. I wasn't ready for college right out of high school. I needed to see more of the world first. AmeriCorps NCCC gave me that chance. This program taught me what it really means to serve my country — not just through military service or government jobs, but through compassion, manual labor, teamwork, and meeting people where they are. That's why it's devastating to see AmeriCorps NCCC being defunded and dismantled. Doing so doesn't just take away a year of service — it takes away a path of purpose, growth, and opportunity for thousands of young Americans. Cutting AmeriCorps NCCC isn't a budgetary win. It's a national loss. To the young people who won't be able to finish their year of service, and to those who will never get the chance to start: I'm sorry. You deserve this opportunity. And our country needs programs like this more than ever. AmeriCorps Mission Statement: I will get things done for America — to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier. I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities. Faced with apathy, I will take action. Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground. Faced with adversity, I will persevere. I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond. I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.
