Year 12 St Mary’s College student Madeline Mitchell is the pride of the diocese and the community after being a high-scoring HSC student in 2025.
Madeline was named Dux of both St Mary’s College as well as Armidale Catholic Schools following an extraordinary year of dedication and achievement.
Scoring an ATAR of 92.7, Madeline also recorded a band six result in legal studies as well as four band five results in physics, religion, English and mathematics.
Following her successful year, she now has her sights set on a life in science with plans to study a Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours) at the ANU in Canberra.
“Science is my passion,” Madeline told the Gunnedah Times.
Her interest in science stems from her parents, from her mother who was a scientist and her father who also has a keen interest in the subject.
“We would listen to the Dr Karl podcasts when I was young,” Madeline said.
When asked about her HSC year, Madeline said it took a lot of hard work and had been her main focus.
However, she acknowledged the importance of not throwing away your personal life for the sake of education.
“It’s important that you have a balance,” Madeline said, noting that maintaining a social life was equally as important so people don’t burn out.
“It’s very important to study but to still have a break.”
A student at St Mary’s from Year 10 to 12, Madeline was glowing about the support from her teachers.
“I feel like the teachers were very supportive,” she said.
“They were very encouraging and helped me out a lot.”
Madeline’s dedication to science and further education has already started in the summer break, through participation in the Astrophysics Olympiad in Canberra.
For two weeks, budding scientists learn the first year of physics, as well as some mathematics, in an intense schedule of lectures and tutorials.
“It’s been a great experience,” she said.
While the programme involves 13-14 hours of participation each day, Madeline said it was very enjoyable.
The course also gives Madeline the opportunity to spend time in her future new home city of Canberra.
“I’m a bit nervous about moving away from home but excited at the same time,” Madeline said.
St Mary’s College principal Cath Martin congratulated all students for their hard work and achievements throughout the year.
“These students have achieved exceptional results, including five band six, 37 band five and 80 band four,” she said.
“Congratulations to Madeline Mitchell who achieved the 2025 Dux of St Mary’s College with an ATAR of 92.7.
“Madeline’s commitment to learning is evident in her results and she was a valued member of the school community, receiving a number of awards recognising her leadership and compassion towards her peers and the greater school community.”
Other distinguished achievers from St Mary’s include Ryley Chaffey (mathematics advanced), Cayla McInerney (Korean beginners), Sienna Sams (music one) and Chelsie Smith (PDH&PE).
