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Mr PAUL CRITTENDEN (Wyong) [5.13 p.m.]: Last year I drew to the attention of the House the excellent results in the Higher School Certificate achieved by students at Gorokan High School. It was my pleasure on 16 February to attend the school's annual presentation night. I was stunned by the results achieved in 2004, which were better than the outstanding results of the previous year. The Dux of Gorokan High for 2004 was Jodie Lilir, who achieved a university admission index [UAI] of 99.95. Jodie achieved the highest index of any student on the Central Coast, higher than students from Gosford High School, which is a selective school, and higher than students from the private high schools on the Central Coast. Jodie studied Advanced English, and extension one and two. She also studied Legal Studies and came equal first in the State in that subject. Her English teachers were Les Clark and Kerry Howard and her Legal Studies was Lorraine Chaffer.
Jodie also studied Mathematics extension one, an excellent subject, and Modern History. Her Mathematics teacher was Tracey Evans and her Modern History teacher was Jenny Thomas. It was an outstanding result from a very fine young woman. When she received her award she thanked all the teachers. I am sure they were pleased to know that Jodie acknowledged their hard work and collaboration with her. This year Jodie has commenced a combined law degree at the University of Sydney. I wish her well in her studies. No doubt she will be an excellent lawyer of the future.
Jodie's result was only part of the story at Gorokan High School. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of its students who achieved band 5 and band 6 across a range of subjects. The culture that has been created in the school by Allan Arkins, Les Clark, Kim Whealey and all the other teachers in the school is one of excellence, dedication and success. I congratulate the leadership, the teachers and the staff at the school on inculcating that culture of success, which is obviously getting results for the school. Outstanding results were also achieved by Nicolas Harris, who won the citizenship award and the award for consistency and effort Nicolas Harris, Elisa Chaffer, Jessica Darnborough, Kylie Unicomb and Sarah Matthews, each achieved a UAI in the nineties.
I was impressed on the night by the number of year 12 students who returned to receive their awards not only for academic subjects but also for excellence in vocational education subjects. Almost without exception, the students who came first in each subject were present to receive their award. That shows their school spirit and their appreciation of the efforts of their teachers. The presentation was held in February and they had left school in the previous September or October. Yet they were prepared to come back on the night to congratulate their peers and to recognise the school for the contribution it made to their development.
There was a tinge of sadness because John Hibbard has decided to resume a teaching career in music and will not be devoting himself full time to the school orchestra. The school has had an excellent music program for a considerable time. The school's orchestra is well renowned throughout Wyong shire. It competed internationally in Banff, Canada, several years ago and has played other overseas venues. The musicality of the students is greatly admired. I hope the worthwhile music program at Gorokan High continues in the future. We need to ensure it continues as an important component of creating school spirit.