I was given the very difficult task of writing about the NHS class of 2023, and after moving to Narrabri myself last year, was most inspired by all the things that encompass achievement in a rural town.
What I’ve done is chosen a snapshot of the many different achievements that are possible for every individual student at Narrabri High School.
From the ones who persevered,
Flew under the radar,
Were the first in their families to complete HSC,
The ones who worked full-time while attending school,
The sports legends in the making,
The artists, performers,
The bright stars of our generation,
The community leaders and young mentors inspiring the next generation,
The inventors and the STEM superstars,
The ones who bring the drama (the good kind),
The ones who’ve tackled obstacles like learning a whole new language or pulling through school while homeless,
The ones who’ve lost people and conquered grief,
The ones who have made the most of every opportunity,
And ones who discovered the power to believe in themselves and their capabilities.
We have been in awe, watching you exceed expectations and shoot for the moon.
Congratulations, you made it!
Jesse Weekes
Proudest accomplishments: I was lucky enough to be NHS Captain for 2023 and be involved in programs like Toys’n’Tucker which donated $1000, food and toys to struggling individuals for Christmas. Initiating the Youth Mental Health Podcast project and relaunching our High School’s MADD Night. I’ve also been involved in soccer and scouts for over a decade, even achieving the ASM.
Challenges overcome: COVID was a major struggle, but our year group has gotten very close despite COVID and the passing of one of our students. I was also displaced from the High School in term two of year 7 and returned term three.
Best thing about studying at NHS: I have enjoyed my education at NHS, with many of the struggles of being from a country town also giving way to great opportunities like achieving 93 for my ATAR. The size of the school meant close-knit year groups, and we had plenty of opportunities for education, and great new teachers coming through the Rural and Remote Teachers’ Program.
Marlin Ryman
Proudest accomplishments: Completing my metal work major work. I created a large pull-out pantry for our canopy on the ute using aluminium and other materials, this was built to hold packaged foods for when travelling and has a slide-out chopping board. And finishing school with all my close friends.
Challenges overcome: During the school years the COVID-19 pandemic was a big obstacle to get around as it made it hard for other classmates and myself to learn.
What’s next: I will be starting an apprenticeship as an electrician at Sierratek and work at the Tourist Hotel.
Best thing about studying at NHS: It was a great having many teachers to help with questions you had trouble with and having a nice and quiet study place in the library.
Claudia Penberthy
Proudest accomplishments: Finishing my major artwork – a bookshelf inspired by the Twilight books. I made different objects from the books out of clay, like a baseball bat, books etc. It took a lot of time and detail to get it the way I wanted it, and I was proud of all the work I had put into it.
What’s next: I would like to be a special effects makeup artist.
Bernard O’Connor
Proudest accomplishments: Representing Narrabri High School at the highest level in sport for NSW U18s and winning the Australian schoolboys’ rugby championship.
Challenges you overcame: As a year group, facing the passing of a peer.
Best thing about studying at NHS: The sense of community and connection with other students and teachers.
Alex Mison
Proudest accomplishments: Getting a silver medal at state swimming and achieving 85.9 for my ATAR and getting into Sydney University to study pharmacy.
Challenges overcome: Travelling quite far to other places for events, struggling to focus on all the different work at once.
Best thing about studying at NHS: The teachers at Narrabri have been great last year and have taught us really well.
Mackenzie Knox
Proudest accomplishments: Playing under 17s netball for Narrabri which led to being the first to attend the Northern Inland Academy of Sports for netball umpiring when I was only 17 and getting my B badge in umpiring. Getting through year 12 and handing my assessments in. Going to Sydney to umpire at the big stadium for the Indigenous All-Stars game.
Challenges overcome: Balancing umpiring and school together, and I also played league tag on the weekend.
Best thing about studying at NHS: The teachers and all the support I had through my school year.
What’s next: I hope to get a job working for Netball NSW so I can help deliver more programs to Aboriginal kids down this way. To get my AAA badge so I can umpire the World Cup, which is what I want to do.
Joss Kennedy
Proudest accomplishments: I’m the first in my family to graduate. Going through school I thought of dropping out a few times but was encouraged to stay. My Year 12 Aboriginal Studies major work – instead of doing a written test, the school let me paint, my piece was around a goanna and Aboriginal symbols.
Challenges overcome: The work and written tests were really hard but with the help of the teachers I could complete the work.
Best thing about studying at NHS: Clontarf was great. The school got us out doing excursions, sport events, and after-school activities. They helped me get through school and stay in school.
Lilly Kelly
Proudest accomplishments: Actually finishing school! Being in a band with my Year 12 class and doing MADD Night and presentation nights alongside them. Contributing to select songs with Mr Ritchie’s band, doing NarraBRIGHT performances, and playing a gig at the Golf Club. Assisting Mr Pierce with videos on the high school’s social pages and assisting backstage during MADD Night this year.
Challenges overcome: Motivation and self-discipline and the idea of being an adult now and having to think about what I wanted to do in life after school was scary.
Best thing about studying at NHS: We had plenty of help and support from friends and the teachers. Having opportunities to speak to university representatives about career paths in the future. If you ask people for help at NHS, often you’ll find what you need, sometimes even more, which is what happened in my case.
What’s next: University this year and I hope that leads me into a career in the music industry.
Sidney Harvey
Proudest accomplishments: Making the Waratahs U18s rugby team and the Australian U18s 7s team.
Challenges overcome: Being so far from the city meant I had to travel for sport, so I missed a lot of school. This made the HSC a bit harder, but I got it done in the end.
Best thing about studying at NHS: Being able to go to school and have teachers there that helped, not just with school but with life in general and took time to check in on us. Another thing was being able to stay with my family while I was at school.
What’s next: I’m currently training with the Waratahs Academy and Aussie 7s and I plan to pursue footy. I’m also going to UNSW in February to study a Bachelor of Science and Education.
Miranda Hamilton
Proudest accomplishments: I got accepted into the army to commence my infantry combat training in February and winning the 2023 women’s rugby 10s grand finale.
Obstacles overcome: Losing my best friend in a car accident, trying to do year 12 with 3.30 am wake ups mostly every day to get to work before school and trying to balance my busy lifestyle with school.
Best thing about studying at NHS: The great group of friends who were supportive and looked out for me of me. I also loved my teachers – they were down to earth people and genuinely cared about me and my success.
Lillie-Mae Groth
Proudest accomplishments: Finishing Year 12 as a homeless youth and the last two years of my schooling with no stable home.
Best thing about studying at NHS: At times it was difficult but overall, a very supportive learning experience.
What’s next: I’d like to do a Bachelor of Performing Arts.
Sofie Foster
Proudest accomplishments: I was the Currong house captain, and NHS is the fourth school I’ve moved to, this time from Dubbo. I also submitted an Indian culturally inspired dress as my major work and was particularly proud because I did it independently through distance education via the textiles class in Dubbo.
What’s next: Going up north to work on a cattle station.
Best thing about studying at NHS: The teachers and learning new things and accommodating my long-distance learning. Feeling involved in the community since the first day I showed up I was scared but everyone befriended me.
Holly Ford
Proudest accomplishments: Playing Rugby 7s for NSW, on the starting side playing hooker or half back.
Challenges you overcame: I tore my ACL last year and the rehabilitation and trips to Sydney and Gunnedah took a lot of time, but I still managed to get my school work done and hand in assignments.
What’s next: A rugby development officer.
Best thing about studying at NHS: All of my friendships made including those with people from other schools through sport, and how supportive our teachers were throughout my senior years at school.
Matt Evans
Proudest accomplishments: Narrabri High School Student prefect, Narrabri Show first place 15 and over junior judge, Wee Waa Show champion 15 and over parade and junior judge, Narrabri High Athletics runner up age champion 17 and 18, Narrabri High Cross Country age champion 17 and 18, north west and state representative in Athletics, Shape Festival Nomination, Narrabri High School’s only Band 6.
Best thing about studying at NHS: Narrabri High School has been an amazing school where I have been given many opportunities. The teachers are invested in the students and have given me the opportunity to thrive in a rural community. Working with community members through the Rotaract mentorship and finding people that are enthusiastic in helping through my schooling and future plans.
What you’d like to do in the future? This year I will begin studying Agricultural Engineering at UniSQ.
Eliza Dampney
Proudest accomplishments: Completing my HSC; receiving a Gateway Early Entry offer into UNSW for my dream degree showed me that all I have done has paid off as it doesn’t matter what ATAR I got, I completed my HSC and have a place at UNSW. My involvement in school and community. Being a senior, stepping up, guiding, and supporting the younger students. Stepping down as head stage manager for MADD Night to assist the younger students. Attending the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) – being the only Narrabri student to attend in over 3 years, I spoke to the year 11s and learned that four students secured a position in the program. Sharing my Curious Minds Program experience with Year 9 female students (which made me quite excited that we have so many young girls interested in STEM). I’m proud to have left a legacy behind at NHS and hope that the students continue to take initiative, give things a go, take on opportunities and encourage and guide our younger peers.
Challenges you overcame: Making it through and staying motivated during COVID-19 and ‘lockdown schooling’. Juggling study and HSC with normal life and a high workload this year. Having access to the Country Universities Centre North West helped me study and balance my time.
What’s next?: I’m hoping to become a data analyst. I’m off to the University of NSW in February to study a Bachelor of Data Science and Decisions.
Best thing about studying at NHS: The support and commitment of the teachers and all the opportunities such as the programs and leadership excursions to Sydney. Being a part of MADD Night and using this experience to receive a place on the NSW Schools Spectacular production team, going to Sydney for specialist math lectures at universities to help with HSC. Our close-knit senior class and the strong sense of community at NHS. I really appreciate the support of teachers and staff inside and outside of school.
Charlie Cooke
Proudest accomplishments: I got into an undergraduate certificate in agricultural sciences, a six-month bridging course into a bachelor of agricultural business management. My many opportunities through NHS for agriculture; including placing fifth in my age category lamb comp and having cattle at the high school also lead to my passion for showing cattle and participating in local shows and steer comps for leading, parading, and junior judging. Meeting Daniel Kahl through the Namoi Jobs and Trades Show and applying for a gap year job which will allow me to broaden my knowledge of different agricultural enterprises like cotton, corn, and irrigated crops. I also applied for three universities (CSU, UNE and University of Newcastle) and got accepted to all.
What’s next: Gaining a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business Management.
