Hand smocking a haute couture gown and learning lace making off YouTube kept Yianna Nikos busy during -19 lockdown.
Her final product - an evening apparel gown with a strapless corset,straight skirt and traditionally smocked cape - earned her the top place in textiles and design. She drew inspiration from 1940s figure-hugging,asymmetrical silhouettes and luxurious fabrics.
The PLC Sydney student also completed a visual arts major work:a life sized see-through blind with hand embroidery telling the life story of Yianna’s yiayia (grandmother).
“I just called her before and told her my ATAR[of 96.25],” Yianna said. “She was so happy. I think she started crying.”
Other top creative works came from students across the state's regions,who have shared their photographs throughout the day.
When Tamworth student Liam Rodgers built a queen-sized bed for industrial technology he didn’t expect to top the state. Today’s achievement of an 83.65 ATAR was also a surprise to him.
“I put a lot of effort into it but I didn’t ever imagine it that result,” he said. “My parents were also a bit speechless.”
He attends Farrer Memorial High in Tamworth - one of the state’s three public boarding schools.
Clint Gallagher,the school principal,said that despite COVID-19 it was a “bounce back year” for the school’s success.
“This particular year group has put their best foot forward,” he said. “I’ve been on the phone all morning congratulating them.”
Louise Gilmour was school captain of Warialda High:one of the state's smallest high schools with just over 150 students.
She made her graduating class of 11 proud with a 93.55 ATAR and band 6 results in music,food technology and visual arts.
“I got my ATAR when I was in the car,” Louisa said."It was a surreal feeling because it was sort of like a new chapter is beginning. It confirmed that everything is going to change and it’s going to be all different now."
Louisa has been offered a double degree at Macquarie University and will have to leave home to live on campus next year.
“Many of the borders at the university are from rural and remote communities,so it’s got a country and community-oriented mindset,"she said."I’m looking forward to it."