HSC exams start this week

Year 12 students at the Woy Woy campus of Brisbane Water Secondary College start Higher School Certificate (HSC) examinations this week.

School principal Mr David Beattie said that 135 students at the school would be sitting HSC examinations.

"Half of our HSC candidates are going for a UAI (Universities Admission Index) while the other half are going for apprenticeships and places at TAFE, business colleges, and so on.

"The UAI, a ranking expressed numerically, is 50 per cent school-based assessments and 50 per cent HSC examination," he said.

Mr Beattie said that the school-based assessment component compensated students who fell below their potential at the HSC examinations.

"The HSC is always a stressful time.

"It's the toughest exam students will ever sit in terms of the pressure, the amount of course content to absorb, and the career opportunities it opens.

"But students who have worked hard over time should approach the HSC with confidence.

"The majority of our students have been putting in the time over the last couple of months.

"We have some very good students in year 12 who should achieve terrific results and very good UAIs," he said.

Mr Beattie said that the school has done much to prepare students for the HSC examinations.

"We have a number of programs in place to help and encourage students to do their best.

"We have advanced essay writing and time management programs.

"A teacher has been employed, three days per week, to improve students' examination results.

"We've maintained staffing levels for year 12 subjects.

"Classes are being held until this Wednesday (October 15) for last minute assistance.

"A number of classes were held over the recent holiday period.

"I was pleased with student attendance.

"The school offers 45 HSC subjects.

"We have students taking examinations in, for example, construction, hospitality, food technology and business studies.

"The advantage of our college structure is that we can offer more subjects.

"Our teachers, many of whom are HSC exam markers, have done a terrific job to ensure that students do their best," he said.

Mr Beattie said that although the school hall will serve as the primary location for the examinations, a couple of rooms at the school have been set aside for exams with small student numbers.

He said that building work, which starts at the school on November 1, has been scheduled not to interfere with HSC examination sittings.

The last of the exams at the campus will be held on November 14.

Examination results will be available to students by Internet, SMS message, and phone on December 18 and by mail on December 22.

Con Orfanos, media release, October 13