Academic Achievement

Barrenjoey has a proud record of academic achievement in all subjects, and offers all HSC extension courses.

Barrenjoey students consistently achieve well in the HSC, School Certificate and in local, state and national competitions.

There are a variety of programs for gifted and talented students such as the highly successful extra-curricula enrichment program for students in Years 7 and 8. Academic extension classes are formed in Years 8, 9 and 10 in English and science and, in mathematics, the extension class begins in term 2 of Year 7.

Some examples of achievement include:
Among many high achievements in the 2003 HSC the highest honour went to Wendy Cottee who came 1st in NSW in the PD/H/PE and achieved a UAI of 99.45.

In the 2004 HSC, Vivienne Scott's visual arts major work was selected for NSW ArtExpress. Jakub Vasak, Amy Meatchem and Amanda Corroto had artworks selected for Express Yourself.

In 2004, Barrenjoey students won nine out of thirteen awards in the environment photography competition held at Warriewood and Benita Jensen gained first place. In 2005 Barrenjoey won all the awards except one. Eight students won major prizes in 2004 Avalon Art Fest with Courtney Raper winning the senior photography section.

In 2005 James Johnson's HSC textiles and design major work was selected for the Textstyles exhibition and Eric Davidson-Gluyas' visual arts major work was selected for consideration for ArtExpress. Both of these exhibitions are a collection of the best HSC major works.

In the performing arts music students consistently achieve excellent results in the HSC and have been selected for the NSW Talent Development Project. The work of Barrenjoey HSC drama students has been part of the On Stage which showcases the best of the drama work done in the NSW HSC.

Recognition of academic achievement

Students whose semester reports show academic excellence and effort are recognised through Principal's Gold and Silver Awards. These awards earn Blues Merit Points and the names of these outstanding students are published in the weekly newsletter, the Peninsula Press.

Academic excellence is recognised at the annual Achievement Night ceremony.

Students with outstanding academic achievement are recognised weekly at assemblies, in the Peninsula Press and at year meetings.

Academic Competitions

The school participates in several statewide, national and international competitions in a variety of subjects such as English, mathematics, science, design and technology, computing and languages. Head teachers in these subjects have information about times and dates of these competitions. In addition, students are given opportunities to enter local competitions and exhibitions in a variety of subjects.

Results

Some examples include:

In the 2005 Australasian Mathematics competition Peter Schmidt came first in New South Wales (Year 11), Tim Goozee, Ben Russo, Hyung-Geun Bark, Victoria Farr, Jayne Barbour, Dennis Watson and Daniel Watson gained credits.

In the Maths Challenge, Sophie McFadyen and Hyung-Guen Bark gained distinctions and Riley Barns achieved a credit.

In the Australian National Chemistry Quiz Peter Schmidt gained a high distinction, Ben Squire a distinction, and Adam Bolton, Juan Rodriguez and Casey Golden gained credits.

In the National Australian Language Competition, Sophie Parker, Clint Stephens and Matt Skelly gained distinctions, in Year 12 French Emily Brown, Mei Shan Nimb, Fiona Carmichael and Ellen McDougal gained distinctions, in Year 10 German Daniel Watson gained a distinction and Mei Shan Nimb gained a prize in Alliance Francais.