Early days for Gunnedah Year 12 HSC exams

Year 12 students across the shire officially started the Higher School Certificate (HSC) exams this week.

Students first walked into the exams at 9.50am on Tuesday and can release a small sigh of relief as the English papers (apart from Extension 1) are officially done.

St Mary’s student Courtney Hobden finished two of her exams on Tuesday, English and Primary Studies.

“I felt really prepared going into my English exam,” Courtney said.

“There were a few questions that were a little more difficult than expected, however I think it was a really good paper. I feel quite relieved to have my first exam out of the way.”

Also sitting the English paper was Alyssa Frey.

“I thought the English paper was definitely difficult, however, due to the help from the teachers and the resources available, I was able to handle the paper pretty good,” Alyssa said.

Students in the shire were a part of the more than 76,000 students who will be taking part in the exams during the four weeks.

Those teens are receiving good luck messages from friends and family along with their teachers who have watched 13 years of education go by.

This year has seen a record number of 80,166 students completing at least one HSC course.

These exams will contribute to 50 per cent of the HSC mark, while many have already completed language oral exams, performance exams or handed in major artwork.

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) chief executive officer Paul Martin had a message to students completing the exams in upcoming weeks.

“There are many ways to reach your goals. Be passionate, be curious and feel confident in all that you have learnt over the last 13 years,” he said

All will be able to cross that finish line on Friday, November 8, which will be the last exam state wide.

Other key dates of exams include Mathematics Advanced, Standard 1 and Standard 2 on Monday, Modern History on Wednesday, Business Studies on Tuesday, October 29, Studies of Religion, Wednesday, October 30, Biology, Friday, November 1, Chemistry, November 4, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Tuesday November 5, and Physics, Thursday, November 7.

Students will be receiving their HSC results and ATAR on Wednesday, December 18.