So then why do people complain about their school rank?
Having a higher school rank generally implies that you have a stronger cohort, as compared to a lower ranked school (not always true)
With a stronger cohort, there is more 'protection' in the external exams - say you are first, you will get your exam mark and the highest exam mark as your internal
If you flop and get like 85 when you expected 95, at a not so good school you might still be the highest exam mark so rip, you get your exam mark as your internal
Whereas at another theoretically better (read: higher ranked school) the highest exam mark might be the dude who was up your ass the entire year who still got 94 as an exam mark, so now you get 94 as an internal mark and it mitigates your 85
Situation 1
Exam Mark:85
Internal Mark:85
HSC Mark:85
Situation 2
Exam Mark: 85
Internal Mark: 94
HSC Mark: 90
There's also cultural issues: differing quality/focus of teaching, motivation, and general lack of support for high achievers in lower ranked schools
I made a post about it a while ago lelel