The final two years of school open up pathways to future possibilities for further study and career aspirations for each student. We offer three pathways to graduation. You won't find that anywhere else!
Our Learning Pathways
HVGS offers three learning pathways for students in Years 11 and 12:
- the Higher School Certificate (HSC)
- the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and
- the IB Career-Related Programme.
All three equip students for the next stage of their life journey, whether this is university study, the world of work or a combination of both.
NESA Pathway
Higher School Certificate (HSC)
The HSC is a broadly recognised, local (NSW) credential that provides a foundation for students entering tertiary study, vocational training or employment.
International Baccalaureate
Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma Programme addresses the intellectual, social, emotional and physical wellbeing of students, and is respected by universities across the globe.
International Baccalaureate
Career-related Programme
The Career-related Programme (CP) is designed for students in Years 11 and 12, who have already chosen the career pathway that they will pursue beyond school; making them career-ready as soon as they graduate.
Academic Achievement
There is no doubt that the pursuit of outstanding academic achievement is of utmost importance, yet equally so is a balanced education that realises every student’s potential; built upon our core values that develop young people of substance.
Whilst we are not an academic selective school, HVGS students consistently achieve strong results and academic attainment reflective of growth. This is because we provide the optimal learning environment for our students to flourish, develop positive attitudes about learning, and take risks in the classroom and beyond.
HSC highlights for the class of 2024
- The Class of 2024 achieved 83% of all HSC results at Band 4, 5 or 6.
- Antoinette Harris-Payne made the NESA HSC All-round Achiever List which celebrates students who achieved the highest possible Band in 10 or more units in their HSC.
- Two other students came within one single mark of also being recognised on the NESA HSC All-round Achiever List
- Highest ATAR attained was 98.80 and was achieved by the 2024 HVGS Dux, Norah Rogers.
- Over a third of HVGS students made the Distinguished Achievers’ List with 31 students sharing in 65 top band results across all HSC courses examined.
- Seven students received an ATAR above 95, and 15 students were awarded an ATAR above 90 – an outstanding achievement.
- Almost 50% of HVGS graduates attained an ATAR of 80 or better.
- Of note were the outstanding results achieved in: Agriculture – six candidates received Band 6 attainment [35%] compared with 11% of State, with nearly all students achieving Band 5/6.
- Ancient History – achieved 25% Band 6 compared with 9% of State.
- Legal Studies – 33% attainment at Band 6 more than doubled the 15% of State.
- Music 1 – eight students at the highest level, representing nearly 75% at Band 6 compared with only 20% of the
- State candidature, and with a lowest final result, an impressive 88/100 across the entire Music 1 cohort.
- PDHPE – achieved more than three times the State attainment at Band 6 (36% vs 8%) and double the Band 5/6 performance.
- Science Extension – all candidates achieved equivalent Band 5/6, with 25% in the top E4 Band attainment compared with 8% of State.
- Highest individual HSC course result was 96/100, achieved by Eliza Mackenzie in Ancient History, Tully Munro in Food Technology, and Kaitlyn Young in Studies of Religion II.
Tertiary Destinations
You might be interested to learn about the interesting paths our students pursue once they leave us.
Here’s a snapshot of the Class of 2024 and their tertiary choices:
- Engineering and Related Fields
- Laws
- Health and Medicine
- Physical Sciences
- Architecture and Building
- Business and Commerce
- Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
- Education
- Creative Industries
- Information Technology
Read more about the Class of 2024
Celebrate Magazine
HSC results, achievements and stories from the Class of 2024. Read our annual magazine online.
Other IB Programmes at HVGS
Hunter Valley Grammar School is the only school in Australia authorised to offer all four International Baccalaureate Programmes. This ensures a global-focused continuum of learning for all HVGS students from Preschool to Year 12.