Getting the call from the NSW Education Standards Authority was a "pretty surreal" experience, he said.

"I didn't really have time to take it in because I was at work."

The Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School student achieved the best High School Certificate score for Industrial Technology in NSW.

He won the award off the back of a major woodwork project that included a queen bed - with both headboard and footboard - storage drawers and matching bedside tables.

Mr Rodgers paid tribute to his experienced woodwork teacher Tony O'Connor.

"He was a great help with everything, all the way. I probably couldn't have done it without him," he said.

"He just had an answer for everything."

A proud Farrer Principal Clint Gallagher said the job showed "a lot of commitment and a lot of skill".

"We all knew that it was a fantastic piece of work and we were very confident he would go well," he said.

"But obviously first in the state is a very rare thing. His teacher Tony O'Connor and all of the teachers down in that area couldn't be prouder. He's a fine young man and a hard-working student, he fully deserves this tremendous accolade."

The Farrer student was sworn to secrecy about the achievement until it was released today.

His dad, Andrew Rodgers, is Principal at Tintinhull Public School, near Kootingal.

But it was pop David Rodgers who helped give him the love of working with wood, Liam said.

"He's always loved building stuff, and always building something around the house. [I'm] always giving him a hand," he said.

Liam won a four-year carpentry apprenticeship with Keith Reading just this week.

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