THEY knew they would probably get a similar mark but twins Feiya and Feili Zhang (pictured left to right) of Glenmore Park weren’t expecting the same mark for their International Baccalaureate Diploma. The former St Paul’s Grammar School students, who both achieved 41 out of 45, equal to an ATAR of 98.70, are looking to study at the University of Sydney, Feiya in medical science and Feili in physiotherapy. The 18-year-old sisters studied the same subjects except for one and while scoring differently in certain subjects ended up with the same score. ‘‘I didn’t expect us to get the same mark,’’ Feiya said. ‘‘It was really cool and really, really nice.’’ While there are definite similarities, the girls say they have different personality traits. The twins have always been bright sparks. Coincidentally, they appeared in these pages in 1998 ahead of embarking upon kindergarten (Inset) and as four-and-a-half year olds already knew how to write the alphabet in both lower case and capitals. And while their outstanding mark caps off a successful school career, there is just one regret: ‘‘We should have done more tricks,’’ Feiya said. They thanked their Year 11 and 12 teachers at St Paul’s and their parents and friends for getting them through the IB.

THE top International Baccalaureate score at St Paul's Grammar was shared by two students — Atalaya Ferrari of Hazelbrook and Sally Andrews from Maroota, both with a score of 43, equating to an ATAR of 99.6.

A further 10 students achieved scores of 37 or more.

Director of the IB program at the school Antony Mayrhofer said the results were consistent with the school's long-term average and congratulated the students on their performance.

He said the school also had a number of very good HSC results, with some well into the 90s.

Penrith Anglican College is in its third year of offering the IB as an alternative to the HSC and the number of students taking it up has been growing.

Headmaster Barry Roots said he was delighted by 2011's results, with four of the seven IB students sharing the top score of 36, an ATAR of 94.15.

Mr Roots was also very pleased with the HSC results, with 32 per cent of students achieving marks in the top 20 per cent of the state.