Why are rankings such a big thing in Sydney? Can a group cohort in a school ranked 101-200 be as good or better than a cohort say ranked 20-50? My thinking is if there is 582 High schools (according to Better Education website) in NSW the child who has more motivation do just as well will do well anywhere. I will admit 4 factors go into getting a student a high ATAR/good rank: 1) good teachers in that school/tutoring/mentors- I've heard students often complain about teachers not knowing their stuff or not showing enough dedication 2) parent environment -I've done tutoring for a family before, where all I heard was constant shouting from their mother. In that environment its impossible to do well. 3) Socio-economic status- money (hate to say that. But having money does allow a student to buy books, extra resources, access to best tutors in the state, better student learning experience, holidays, richer and elite network) and 4) Student motivation- you can have as much money but if you don't have the hard work, direction, study technique and commitment it's hard to do well at academic study. Think if you got 3 of those 4 ticked off, your on the way to doing well in study, no matter what school your ranked.
I got teased a bit back in my state because I went to a low tier school in my state. (one that wasn't even listed on the rankings). These kids also have to overcome that 'inferiority complex' about their 'inferior school' in society, university and daily life. They have to be a 110% better person, than the kid in a top tier school to fit in with society and university.