Students will continue to receive feedback on their Trial HSC exam performance over the next week. This is the opportunity for students to look critically at the feedback and fine-tune their study plan for the next 38 plus days. From today, there are 38 days until students sit their English paper and more days between now and the dates they will sit examinations in other subjects. Every day is an opportunity to gain marks. School-based assessment counts for only 50% of final HSC marks, which means that for many subjects, 50% of HSC marks are still up-for-grabs.

Now is the time to develop a week-by-week and even a day-by-day breakdown of study tasks. Using Trial feedback, students  can examine where the mistakes are coming from or where the weaker areas of content knowledge and skills are. These areas form the basis of a study plan for each subject.  If students are unsure how to begin this process, they can ask their Year 12 subject teacher for further feedback. They will support you in identifying areas for focus moving forward through the next 38 days.

As I write, many Year 12 girls have already begun their HSC examination period. Over the past few weeks, our Technology students have submitted their major project for examination and our Performing Arts students across Drama, Dance and Music have completed their performance examinations. Congratulations to each of these students, their parents and teachers who have reached the end of this part of their academic journey – a journey which has had many unexpected turns and twists in this year of COVID.  A special shout-out to Drama students Paris H, Claudine V and their teacher, Mr Josh Combes. Paris and Claudine have been nominated for OnSTAGE, NESA's showcase of exemplary HSC drama works.

While this year’s Year 12 Showcase event for our major projects and performances is unable to be held at the College due to COVID-19, we are developing an online ShowCase event to share the good work of our Year 12 students. Keep an eye-out for a link to ShowCase via email to be sent shortly.

And a final piece of advice for Year 12 - take really good care of your mind and your body as you study and undertake examinations in these next few months leading into and during the HSC.

Debra Bourne - Acting Assistant Principal, Learning and Teaching