From a sociological point of view, the urban/city debate on NSW education is more complicated than people think. Yes, you can even get state-ranked, but it's the case of whether you have acquired the cultural capital you need, to know how to succeed in your HSC, on a case-by-case circumstance. Lack of motivation probably is also part of the equation. However, I know some of my friends who actually cared but didn't even know how to take notes. They would literally try to write every word my teacher said.