All up, 59 Bellingen High students completed this year’s HSC and principal Paul Holding said he was proud of the students’ successes.  

“There are many students who have achieved beyond their expectations,” Paul said.

“Along with Charlie’s outstanding achievement, five students achieved ATARs in the 90s. We had 44 pupils who received band five and nine band six results. Added to this, 12 students achieved results in the top two extension bands.

“Students in 15 subjects achieved results in the top two bands which included 14 students in Society and Culture, five students in Advanced English, PDHPE and Art.”

Paul also said he was pleased to hear students were already planning to accept early entries into a range of universities along with others striving to attend TAFE and accepting traineeships and apprenticeships.

Bellingen High’s P&C member, and coincidentally father of Charlie, Tim Sutton, thanked the school’s staff for their “commitment and willingness to be available outside of class time including weekends and school holidays to assist their students to reach their potential”. He also told the Courier-Sun he was proud of his daughter’s effort and results.

Charlie is taking well-deserved break: “I didn’t go to schoolies but instead have taken the time to relax with friends, and catching up”, adding she hopes to go “to Melbourne University and study civil engineering”.

Though her eyes are focused on the future, Charlie speaks fondly of her experience at Bellingen High and offered a sage and short piece of guidance for those in the years behind her.

“School was pretty enjoyable, teachers were good and I definitely had a great bunch of friends who were supportive,” she said.

“My advice for those who are doing Year 12 next year and beyond, is don’t stress too much.”