What does this mean for the 2020 HSC examinations?

Along with the closure of many schools, students studying from home and restrictions placed on our daily lives, the lead-up to the 2020 HSC looks a little different this year.

This doesn’t mean that we should think of the HSC as anything different than our final Year 12 exams. Here are a few questions we’ve been asked which might give you some extra insight:

When can I go back to school?

As of May 4 2020, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has encouraged public schools to prioritise Year 12 students to return to physical classrooms. This begins as early as May 11 2020 for Year 12 students, who will assume normal face-to-face lessons.

Year 7-11 students are instead encouraged to return to school starting May 11, but only 1 day each week.

Is the 2020 HSC cancelled?

As of March 24 2020, the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) confirmed that the Higher School Certificate is going ahead in 2020, along with a commitment to providing clear and regular advice about COVID-19.

What does this mean for school and education?

As instructed by your school, students now have the option to continue coming into school or learn, or are taught virtually at home. The content is still the same, but the method of delivery has now changed – students are expected to be proactive and go through the topics themselves, and create regular schedules from home which they can stick to.

How do I effectively study from home?

This is the question that we hear most often from our Talent students and parents. We recommend creating your own at-home study program (in conjunction with your school’s lessons) which allows you to learn and have some downtime. There are certainly some challenges ahead of us, but being prepared in a situation like this can make all the difference.

What happens if I’m doing a VET placement?

As of April 2nd, NESA has lifted the requirements for VET students to undertake NESA work placements.

Will performance exams (such as Drama) be suspended?

As of April 2nd, mandatory group performances in Drama and Music Extension have been cancelled for 2020.

RELATED: Study Tips For High School Students In Self Isolation

As a result, other performance exams will be modified if they are in breach of social distancing regulations.

Is there an update on the status of Major projects?

As of April 2nd, the NESA COVID-19 Response Committee will be meeting in one week to provide advice on major projects for Design and Technology, Visual Arts, Industrial Technology, Textiles and Design, English Extension 2 and Society and Culture.

Will students return to school in Term 2?

This is a big question which we’re all asking ourselves, and which can change at the drop of a hat.

As of April 21st, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that school students will start going back from May 11, with a staggered return (1 day each week), building up to a full-time return from late July 2020. Current restrictions such as social distancing will be maintained for all students and staff.

The government is aiming for a full-time return to school in Term 3, beginning on July 21st.

When will the HSC timetable be released?

According to NESA, the 2020 HSC timetable is being released on May 15 (Week 3, Term 2).

Students will also receive their HSC results in mid-December.

Is there an update on school-based HSC assessments?

According to NESA, schools must follow social distancing requirements when planning or undertaking school-based assessment tasks. Instead, NESA has given schools the power to determine the number, type and weighting for the following Year 12 HSC subjects:

Aboriginal Studies, Ancient History, Community and Family Studies, Design and Technology, English, Engineering Studies, Geography, History Extension, Language in Context Stage 6 (Chinese, Japanese, Korean), Modern History, Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Investigating Science, Science Extension)

For more information about assessments, please visit the Education Standards page.

How can I study online?

There are a number of online channels which help to supplement your learning and keep your mind fresh whilst studying from home and away from your peers.

At Talent 100, we have our Talent Teaching Series for Year 11 Preliminary Chemistry  and Year 12 HSC Chemistry, which is free and available online now! This is just a small way we can help students looking for free resources for their senior subjects.

We have also made all our tuition classes available online for students in Year 7 – 12, so you can study from home with your regular Talent Mentors.

All classes will be streamed live via Google Hangouts and Zoom, and students will be able to ask questions and interact as they would in a typical classroom. We’re also offering 1-1 tutorials available online from Term 2, click here to find out more about developing your e-learning plan at Talent 100.

We will keep you posted as new information is released by NESA and the NSW Government.