Blind student tops HSC subject

All 119 of the HSC students who came first in their course received some applause
but nothing like the ovation given to Ria Andriani.
Ria, a blind student who topped NSW in Indonesian Background Speakers, only migrated
to Australia from its northern neighbour in 2007.
Unable to see since she was five, the student from Sydney's Open High School has
been proficient in Indonesian braille for many years.
But after moving to Australia, the inspirational teenager not only had to learn
English but English braille.
She completed her exams by reading the questions in braille, then typing her answers
onto a laptop.
Ria's achievement was not lost on NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, who labelled the
student "inspiring" and "remarkable".
Ria was one of 119 students awarded top prize in their courses at a ceremony in
Sydney on Tuesday.
All were applauded when they strode forward to accept their certificate from the
premier but when Ria was guided on stage, the audience almost brought the house
down.
The modest student said the gesture was "amazing".
"I didn't expect to be top in the state," she said.
"I typed the answers into a laptop. It's much easier I guess, because people type
quicker than they write with their hand."
Ms Keneally praised the diversity of the 2009 crop of top students.
There was Nicole Durkin from Kambala school in Sydney's east, who came first in
Information Processes and Technology, and is now running a $1,000 a week online
business selling T-shirts.
Information Technology student Patrick Hamid, from Casimir Catholic College in
Sydney, has already set up his own IT support business.
Pymble Ladies College student Rebecca Beaumont, who topped the state in agriculture,
was driving a tractor on her parents' farm when she was told of her achievement.
Then there is Callum Dumesny from Albury TAFE in southern NSW.
The first to top the new Automotive Examination course, he will soon start an
apprenticeship, Ms Keneally says.
In a changing of the guard, the girls topped the state in the five sciences, while
boys did best in English.
"This is a great statement about the educational system and the encouragement we're
giving girls to go into science and science-related fields, and seeing boys
achieving in English," Ms Keneally said.
Three students came top in two subjects, while there was a doubling of regional
students represented at Tuesday's awards ceremony, Ms Keneally said.
Almost 70,000 students have a nervous wait until HSC results are released at 6am
(AEDT) on Wednesday.
Students can access their grades online, via SMS or by phoning the HSC Examination
Inquiry Centre on 13 11 12.