Twin sisters Paige and Bronte Riley woke up to the news in the last week of school that they had both achieved 90 per cent or higher in at least one subject, earning them a spot on this year’s HSC Distinguished Achievers list.

The Elizabeth Macarthur High School students were among 50 of their peers who contributed to the school’s impressive 91 entries on the Distinguished Achievers List across a range of subjects.

Paige and fellow student Olivia Jackson also made this year’s All-Rounders list for achieving a Band 6 or higher in six and seven subjects respectively.

And while the identical twins may look the same, they have chosen to pursue different paths, with Bronte hoping to study medicine and Paige returning to Elizabeth Macarthur High School next year to work as a School Learning Support Officer while she studies to become a high school PE teacher.

She is one of eight students in this year’s HSC cohort that are undertaking teaching studies and coming back to work at the school, where 13 current permanent teachers are also former students.

The sisters attribute their success to the support and guidance they have received from their teachers at Elizabeth Macarthur High School.

“The HSC has been stressful at times but also rewarding, and the school has believed in us and pushed us to be our best,” Paige said.

“Our teachers have made it an easy journey, with all the support they have provided us,” Bronte added.

Principal Kylie Hedger congratulated the school’s 2024 HSC cohort on its impressive results this year.

“I am immensely proud of all the students' outstanding results and all the work of teachers who supported this achievement,” Ms Hedger said.

“The breadth of the subjects they have achieved Band 6 in is a testament to the wide variety of opportunities that public education offers students to excel.”