About 30 students visited the school grounds for what may be the final time they see teachers and peers before beginning the next steps of their journey.

The school continued its HSC success with students nabbing 27 band sixes in 15 different subjects.

Megan Jeffers, who was absent from the morning tea, spoke to the Times about becoming the dux of the 2019 class.

She received an ATAR of 96.35 - enough for her to study a Bachelor of Advanced Science at the University of Queensland.

"I'm pretty happy, it was what I needed," she said.

She said she was happy to be dux, but would have been pleased for any of her peers to achieve the honour.

"I'd be just as happy if they had got it."

Megan managed band six results in mathematics, extension mathematics and science extension. She praised her mathematics teacher Mr Gonzales for all the extra effort he gave the class.

"He supported us heaps. He put in all the extra time, we almost had classes every morning with him, he made booklets, offered tutoring."

Future medicine student Natasha Stokes scored 95.3 on her ATAR - the third highest in the grade.

She has listed the University of NSW as her preference to study, but has also shown interest in the University of Newcastle and University of Wollongong.

Natasha said she needed a 92 through the rural-entry scheme for medicine.

"I feel pretty good, I was hoping to get around that score."

She achieved a band six in 2 unit mathematics and its equivalent in extension maths. Mr Gonzales's challenging questions assisted, she said.

'Without Mr Gonzales I wouldn't have been able to get band sixes. His teaching method was direct and he prepared us really well for the HSC."

Ethan Sigler achieved band sixes in both 2 unit maths and extension maths, like Ms Stokes and Ms Jeffers.

He finished second in the grade with 95.35, just ahead of Natasha.

Ethan said he was "pleasantly surprised" with his marks and really wasn't expecting the band six he got in Physics.

He's hoping to do electrical engineering in the Navy after easily passing the requirement score of 85. He plans to become a weapons electrical engineering officer working with ships communications and signals.

Tilda Hempstead also achieved a 94.45. She managed four band sixes and plans to study speech pathology at the University of Sydney.

While the top ATAR achievers were deservedly praised, others were also celebrating their HSC achievements.

Jonah Smith will begin a carpentry apprenticeship with Ulladulla business Designer Eco Tiny Homes. During year 11 and 12 he built a rapport with local tradesman as work placements in construction.

He received a high distinction in the Workplace Learning Shoalhaven Excellence in Vocational Education and Training (VET) Awards earlier this year.

His dad posted a photo on Facebook and a local tradesman, who understood the process of the awards, saw it and offered him a work placement.

"I did work placement with these people through school. I did a week-long trial. After it they said 'we'll see you in a few months'."

Jonah said he was pleased to start his career locally with a business which shared the same values as him.

"It's really good. It's a local apprenticeship, construction was always my best subject."

Another student was proud to become the first person in his family to finish the HSC. Vietnamese-born Binh Pham knew very little English when he moved to area and begun year 7 at Ulladulla High School.

Despite some early difficulties he learnt the language through conversation with peers and teachers.

"Once I learnt it, I loved it [the language]."

Binh scored 65 in English, but he is focussed on working with numbers. He plans to study accounting at the Kaplan Business School in Sydney and is ready for the next step in his journey.

"I feel relieved, I feel great and proud of myself."

Finally, future HSC students can take a leaf out of Jared Byrne's book. He's ready to begin a commerce degree at UOW, but two years ago it looked unlikely.

The young man was first to admit he didn't care at all from year 7 to 10.

"I thought school doesn't matter. I was a bit arrogant, I thought I knew it all but my marks would tell me otherwise."

However, at the start of year 11 his teachers noticed a change from within. Jared feared what he become if he didn't apply himself.

He admitted he was a "heavy procrastinator" and praised his support systems with teachers, particularly Mr and Mrs Dale.

"They inspired me to do really well."

The helped give Jared focus and a goal. He liked the finance side of business studies and needed a 75 - he scored 76.7.

"Just try," he said to future students.

"If you believe you can't, it is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

"But my number-one tip is to ask for feedback. Write drafts and put up your hand."

Aboriginal Studies

Agriculture

Biology

Business Services

Italian Continuers

Legal Studies

Maths Standard

Mathematics 2 Unit

Music

PDHPE

Physics

Society & Culture

Software and Design

Textiles & Design

Maths Extension - E4 (Band 6 Equivalent)

Science Extension - E3 (High Achievement)