MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall has congratulated local students on their Higher School Certificate (HSC) results, released today. Mr Marshall said that across the Northern Tablelands 831 students completed their HSC this year, formally drawing to a close 13 years of schooling. “This is a huge moment in the lives of these students, who have worked extremely hard and will now start a new and exciting chapter in their lives,” Mr Marshall said. “The HSC is a stressful time for students, so the release of results today will be a relief for many. “I wish our local HSC students all the very best for their next step, whether it’s a gap year, employment, university or TAFE. Mr Marshall said he was delighted to see that 69 students from the Northern Tablelands had been recognised on the NSW Distinguished Achievers list for achieving the highest band (Band 6 or E4 for extension courses) mark in one or more of their HSC subjects “Almost 70,000 students sat at least one HSC subject this year, so to have received a mark this high is an incredible achievement that these students should be very proud of,” Mr Marshall said. “For those students who do decide to pursue a university degree, I wish you every success with your studies and hope you are accepted into the course of your choice. “For those who choose employment or further training, I hope that you are able to find what your need here in the Northern Tablelands so that our community can benefit from your commitment and ability.” Mr Marshall said there was now a much brighter future for young people in the region and that we have a growing capacity to educate, train, employ and retain young people here at home. Eligible students can download their HSC certificate and other credentials from 30 December. The official HSC certificates are due to arrive by post from 20 January. The Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards HSC Inquiry Centre 1300 138 323 will be open from 8.00am today for students with questions about their results.