Lucy Gardiner worked so hard for her strong HSC results, her parents had to remind her to take study breaks.
“I was very lucky to get a puppy dog,” said Lucy, who achieved an ATAR of 96.5 and a mark of 50 out of 50 for her English Extension 2 major work.
Bobby’s job was to take Lucy away from the books and computer for regular walks.
“There were a lot of ice cream runs,” she said.
Lucy started at IGS in Year 7 and took part in drama productions, debating and Mock Trial.
She and two friends revived the School’s Girl Up! Club after the Covid lockdowns, holding bake sales in aid of breast cancer research and hosting International Women’s Day assemblies, a Q&A panel of women in different careers, and more.
Lucy said she was “thrilled and surprised and happy” with her HSC results after selecting Modern History, History Extension, Legal Studies, Standard Mathematics and the highest English course possible. She received honourable mentions in five courses for achieving marks of 90 per cent and more.
Lucy’s English Extension 2 major work was a creative non-fiction piece about her family history, including lyric poetry, interviews and reflections about nature and nurture informed by the emergence of DNA testing and its impact on identity and medical diagnostics.
“It’s a big field,” she said. “It was a rabbit hole, with more and more questions. I concluded that everyone has a completely unique relationship with their own genealogy.”
Lucy said she became more comfortable with asking questions as her HSC approached.
“I relied on my teachers and friends for help.”
Lucy thanks the supportive community at IGS for instilling confidence in her.
“IGS is really good at making students feel included and supported,” Lucy said.
“The School gave me a sense of confidence and individuality about who I am and what I want to do, and made me feel capable of achieving what I want to achieve.”
Lucy received three early offers for university offers, and is working as a medical receptionist.
She plans to move to Canberra in 2024 to undertake the double degree of International Relations and International Security Studies at ANU next year.
We congratulate Lucy and the entire IGS Class of 2023 on their efforts and achievements.