St John's College 2020 graduates have garnered some of the highest ATAR results

While a tumultuous year, it was not successful in deterring HSC students from reaching some remarkable results.

St John's College top of the tier achiever James Joseph was shell shocked after learning he had received an ATAR result of 99.85 following the release on Friday morning.

Mr Joseph had earlier received his HSC results, which saw him achieve band sixes in chemistry, English advanced, mathematics extension 1, mathematics extension 2, physics and studies of religion 1.

"It's insanity," he said.

"I can't believe it.

"It (his results) has definitely been a high beam of light at the end of what has been a bit of a dark tunnel for many of us."

Mr Joseph said his score is a 'light at the end of the tunnel' after a challenging year for many in the community, from the struggles of drought, bushfires and a global pandemic which forced the students to continue classes online, to having lost their year 12 coordinator Diane Quade earlier in the year to cancer.

Mr Joseph's results will help as he looks forward to studying medicine at university in the future. He said he was currently waiting on a offer.

St John's College's other high achievers included Adhina Jose and Phoebe Mills who both received an ATAR result of 97.10, along with Josh Kay, who received an ATAR result of 93.05, Mia Webber who received an ATAR result of 89.25, Ali Ridha who received an ATAR result of 87.35, Lisa Joseph who received an ATAR result of 85.15 and Jillie Rose who received an ATAR result of 82.25.

Eighteen students at St Johns recorded a band six in at least one subject, achieving a mark above 90.