Head of school Debra Kelliher said their HSC results this year were outstanding and every student deserved congratulations and praise for their tremendous efforts.

“PLC Armidale was ranked in the top 100 schools in New South Wales, with a placing of 97th, it is wonderful to see all our efforts in the teaching and learning area come to fruition,” she said.

Former Gresford Public School student Anna Tickle was one of the successful candidates from PLC Armidale.

Anna achieved an ATAR of 86.45 and a Band 6 in Business Studies putting her on the Board of Studies Distinguished Achievers list.

“I was really please with my result,” Anna said.

“It surpassed the cut-off point for Bachelor of Business Management/Bachelor of Journalism at UQ Brisbane which I plan to study next year and I have already been accepted into Cromwell College.”

Business is not new to Anna who is already on the way to a successful music career.

“I have received great support for my music, with the local radio station 107.9FM consistently playing music from my new album,” Anna said.

“I've recently performed in Chinchilla and Dalby in Queensland along with my guitarist, Josh Tombs.

“Here at home we have performed at Chillbillies Restaurant and the Dungog RSL for Frog's Country Music Show.

“Josh and I are off to the Tamworth Country Music Festival next week where we will be performing in the CCMA National Talent Quest and busking on a daily basis.”

Indeed her music played some part in her HSC success.

“While I was set on doing well in the HSC, I was driven by the idea of balancing this with my musical pursuits,” she said.

“My advice for future HSC students would be to strive for the best but stay healthy through keeping physically and mentally fit through maintaining other interests.”