'I was very surprised'; Heath Robertson named Moss Vale High School Dux for 2022

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Heath Robertson was named the 2022 Moss Vale High School Dux with an ATAR of 97.05.

"I was very surprised. I didn't feel that I had performed as well as I hoped," he said.

"It was a big surprise, but, like a happy surprise.

"I was never really concerned because I'd already gotten into university, but I still wanted to do well."

His parents were also incredibly happy for Heath.

"They're very proud of the achievement," he said

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"I think they were very pleased that it's all done now. I was always a bit nervous about it."

Heath received an early acceptance to study a Bachelor of Mathematical Science at the University of Australia in Canberra.

"It's very high-level mathematics which is what I'm passionate about," he said.

The goal with that particular course is to hopefully one day do astrophysics or particle physics.

"It's definitely where my interests lie, and it's going to take me into a life of research."

Heath also praised his school, Moss Vale High School, for accommodating his educational pursuits.

When I was in the middle of high scoring, I was having sort of doubts about being at Moss Vale High," he said.

"I didn't know if they were going to be able to do the courses I wanted to do because I wanted to do extension two mathematics and extension music.

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"They hadn't really done that at the school. But I was very grateful that they did accommodate everything and pulled together their resources.

"I was very happy about that.

"I was very thankful for that because it meant it saved me from having to move schools, which would have been very unfortunate."

Meanwhile, flautist Samantha Roberts has been accepted into the Sydney Conservatorium of Music by audition.

The year 12 student said it was a "weight off her shoulders."

The Sydney Conservatorium of Music has three rounds of auditions each year. Auditions can be held over Zoom or face-to-face.

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Samantha auditioned in person with an accompanying pianist.

"For the audition, I had to perform a set technical excerpt, a set etude and a set piece," she said.

Samantha said all her music teachers, both at Moss Vale High and private, were thrilled by the news.

"I have had the same music teacher at school since year seven, so when he heard that I got into the Con he was very happy for me as it has been my long-term goal," she said.

Moss Vale High School Principal Ms Patricia Holmes said she was "very pleased" with the school's results.

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"We had a substantial number of students in the top two bands, band five and six," she said.

"There were several band sixes across a range of subjects."

Ms Holmes said the 2022 year 12 cohort had been impacted in the last two years by COVID remote learning.

"We're just very proud of the cohort," she said.

"Dozens of students have already gained early entry into a variety of universities, or have successfully gained employment and apprenticeships."

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