State's top students recognised at 2025 First in Course ceremony
Students and their families will come together today to recognise 132 students from 83 schools who achieved first or equal first place in a 2025 HSC course.
The prestigious award ceremony is celebrating students from across NSW and all the school sectors including seven students who topped more than one course and 46 students who achieved equal first place.
The First in Course ceremony recognises the outstanding achievements of students who achieved a first place in an HSC course and achieved a result in the highest possible band for that course.
A First in Course was recorded for 113 courses, with 139 awards to be handed out in total to the 132 students.
It is an opportunity to celebrate the wide range of HSC offerings, and the knowledge and skills students developed in their subjects – from English and Mathematics to the Sciences or Creative Arts, Technology and Design and vocations including Construction, Automotive and Hospitality.
The ceremony recognises the incredible achievement that is placing first in an HSC course and gives equal value to each learning area.
It provides opportunities to celebrate young people from across the state – with students from Gregory Hills, Bankstown and Dee Why – to Wollongong, Orange and Byron Bay all achieving a First in Course.
A record 73,000 HSC students will receive their results by SMS, email and online from 6am tomorrow, Thursday 18 December.
A recording of the First In Course event will be made available later this afternoon on the NESA website.
The First in Course recipients will be published online from 11am.
Other HSC Merit Lists including All-round Achievers, Top Achievers in a course and Distinguished Achievers will be published on the NESA website at midday tomorrow.
NSW Education Standards Authority CEO Paul Martin said:
"It's always exciting seeing students and families come together from all over NSW to celebrate their First in Course achievements.
"Topping an HSC course in the biggest state cohort is an incredible achievement.
“Congratulations to all on this well-deserved achievement – your hard work has paid off, and a bright future awaits.”
Release information
- Topic
- HSC