Australian HSC Students Excel with Dance Course, Achieve Top ATARs

Three former Higher School Certificate (HSC) students—Julia Bickell, Makayla Lawrence and Yuuki Hiwatashi—credited the HSC Dance subject with boosting their performance. Their ATAR scores were 93.6, 94.5 and 98.4 respectively, challenging the belief that creative‑arts subjects lower academic results.

Bickell, a Canberra Grammar graduate, will start a Bachelor of Economics at the University of Sydney. Hiwatashi, a Newtown High School of the Performing Arts alumna, earned a Dalyell scholarship and is studying Science and Applied Studies at Sydney University. Lawrence is pursuing dance‑teaching qualifications before commencing a law degree at Newcastle University in 2027. All three highlighted strong teacher support and the value of dance as a mental‑health outlet during their studies.