HUNTER region schools have been recognised among the most improved in New South Wales, following strong performances in the 2025 Higher School Certificate (HSC).
Hunter River High School, Hunter Sports High School, Lake Macquarie High School and Maitland High School were named in a select group of 45 public schools across the state acknowledged for driving sustained academic improvement.
Hunter Sports High earned the distinction for the second consecutive year.
The recognition comes after a comprehensive review of results across 452 public high schools and approximately 40,000 Year 12 students.
Schools were assessed on consistent growth over seven years, increases in the number of students achieving in higher HSC bands, and overall progress across all performance levels.
The NSW Department of Education credited targeted improvement strategies, evidence-based teaching practices and a strong focus on student wellbeing as key factors behind the results.
Hunter River High School has previously emphasised building “a culture of continuous improvement and opportunity”, supporting students to reach personal bests through explicit teaching and strong community engagement.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said the results demonstrate the impact of quality teaching in public schools.
“These results show what can be achieved when teachers can focus their time and expertise in the classroom, providing high-impact teaching for their students,” she said.
NSW Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar added the achievements reflect the broader vision for public education.
“These schools demonstrate that with the right support and quality teaching, our students achieve strong outcomes,” he said.
By Jacie WHITFIELD
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