Before she even opened her HSC and ATAR results this morning, Maitland’s Olivia Greentree had a tear in her eye. 

All the hard work during her final year of school had led her to this moment, would she get the results she hoped for? 

With an ATAR of 98.25 and Band 6s across all of her courses, it’s safe to say the tough period paid off. 

It’s an effort that’s earnt her a spot on the NSW Education Standards Authority’s (NESA) 2021 All Rounder merit list.

“There’s so many emotions, I think I cried before I even opened my ATAR,” the former All Saints’ College Maitland student told Newcastle Weekly. 

“It is such an overwhelming experience, it’s been a long time coming. 

“I definitely set my goals really high, so I had my fingers crossed and I knew that I had done all I could do to try and get these kinds of marks, I’m really excited about it.

“Saying [I put in] a lot of work is probably an understatement.

“I definitely tried to push myself so it was 120% that I put into it.

“I did so many past papers and so many questions so that I could be as prepared as possible – it was a huge effort.” 

Olivia adds the hardest part of the year was learning from home during the COVID-19 lockdown of 2021. 

“It was really difficult, especially the constant postponing of different exams like the trials and the HSC,” she explained. 

“I think that was the thing that took it’s biggest toll on me, the fact that we would prepare for a date and then it would be changed.

“It was difficult to prepare for the indefinite steps along the way, so it provided an extra challenge in a very challenging year already.”

When it comes to her incredible mark, Olivia says she would not have been able to achieve it without a “village” of support. 

“The HSC, especially for the class of 2021, has been a really tumultuous journey,” she said.

“It’s definitely taken the work of a village, it’s not just my hard work that got me those marks.

 “It’s the support of my friends, family and teachers and all the people who believed in me and helped me believe in myself.” 

So, what’s next for Olivia Greentree? 

“I’m really hoping to study Law and International Relations,” the 18-year-old said.

“I’ve got my sights set on studying at ANU so we’ll find out in the next few days but that is definitely where I want to end up. 

“I am so excited for a new challenge, I think it will be a nice change.”

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