Nowra Christian School's Nick Astill scores 91.35 ATAR including four band sixes

Nowra Christian School undertakes a focused-approach to the HSC, where students complete three HSC subjects per year starting in year 11.

Between years 11 and 12 this year around 39 students undertook the HSC, with 16 completing their schooling.

Incredibly, from those 16 students, five band six (scores of 90 or above) were recorded.

Leading the way was Dux Nicholas "Nick" Astill who produced an ATAR of 91.35, including four band sixes for Mathematics Advanced, Extension Mathematics, Extension English and Visual Arts. He only just missed out on another band six, scoring 88 in his preferred Music subject.

Jonathan "Jonty" Beavan also secured a band six in Biology and an ATAR of 90.4.

Nick said he was "happy with his marks".

"Being Dux is pretty special there was only .95 between me and Jonty," he said.

"We have pushed each other the whole year and it's great we both got the results."

Read more about our HSC achievers:

He said he found the focussed-approach to the HSC fantastic.

"I think it's a great concept," he said.

"This year I only had to study for three exams. It was a bit more high pressured early in the year but it allows you to really focus and hone in on your subjects."

He said there was no secret to his success, just hard work.

"I wish there was a secret, I'd share it with other people," he said.

"I just studied. School has always come easy to me."

As for the future, he's off to the Conservatorium of Music in Sydney to study composition.

He will undertake a Bachelor of Music, majoring in digital composition.

"It combines the classical ideas of composition and theoretical harmony and looks at the more practical side of music production in the modern era," he said.

"Where that will lead me I have no idea, I just know I want to do it."

And while he plays the piano he also composes music.

"When I really heard music all I wanted to do was make some," he said.

"I started playing the piano about six years ago."

Both Nick and Jonty along with Tamsyn McPhail and Zoe Plant all made the distinguished achievers list for receiving a result in the highest band possible for one or more of their courses.

Jonty plans to pursue further study in the field of Health Sciences.

Principal Rob Bray said a combination of hardworking students, dedicated teachers and the school's unique approach to the HSC contributed to academic success this year.

"Overall this year's HSC results have been solid with a few band six and many band five results, with the majority of students achieving band four and above," he said.

"At Nowra Christian School we recognise that the true worth of each student is measured by many more factors than just their ATAR score.

"We are proud of their academic performances but even more encouraged as a result of the commendable character traits that they display.

"We are confident that each of our students demonstrates a willingness to enter their new communities with the intention of using their gifts and talents to make positive contributions.

"We are very proud of all our year 12 students."