As a year 10 student in 2016, Mitch sat his mathematics exam for a band six result – 91 – and along with the graduating class of 2017, received a high achievement mark – 49/50 - for his extension one maths exam.

Mitch spent countless hours studying and said he felt confident after the exam with all the work he put in.

“I try and do a lot of past papers, probably one every day going into it,” he said.

“I felt really good after the exam, I was really happy that I actually got the result I thought I deserved.”

While he put in plenty of practice with each of the exams, Mitch credited the high school’s program for allowing him to get ahead of the game

“The influence of Mr Malone, he created an accelerated program up at the school and that’s what led to me doing my maths early,” he said.

“I just really want to thank Mr Malone, I am really grateful for what he has done up at the school.

“It has really given me and other kids a big advantage going into year 12 so it is very good to have that program up at the school.

“It has been a good program for me personally and I really support it.”

The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank takes into account student’s best 10 units, including a compulsory English subject.

Mitch said it is a huge weight off his shoulders already having three units with high marks heading into his final year.

“I am still deciding what I really want to do but I think it does give me that option if I do want to go into a future mathematical framework I already have that behind me,” he said.

“I am going into year 12 now with three units already completed.

“They still count towards your HSC but you already have them done so you can work on your other subjects a lot more.”

His remaining subjects include PDHPE, advanced English, chemistry, physics and extension two maths.

Mitch was one of six Glen Innes High School students who made the distinguished achievers list along with Eleanor Malone, Emily Walmsley, Lachlan Martin, Rhiannon Kemp and Thomas Macansh.