Top school principals, Education boss call for calm on HSC eve
The leaders of Sydney’s top schools, from James Ruse to SCEGGS, have offered up some final words of wisdom - and warning - for stressed-out HSC students. Read their messages for the Class of 2023.
Education
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Principals from Sydney’s top schools and the boss of public education in NSW have pressed home an urgent call for students to take care of their mental health as they begin four weeks of intensive HSC exams.
Rachel Powell, principal of the consistently top-ranked selective public school James Ruse, urged students to remember to eat, sleep and exercise well during what is a “very stressful time”, and avoid “needless anxiety” by not dwelling on completed exams.
“I recommend having the exam timetable printed out at home so that you can cross each exam off as you complete it – this is a truly cathartic exercise. As soon as one exam is finished, focus forward on doing the best that you can to prepare for the exams that lie ahead,” she said.
“Aim for your personal best so that you can be proud of your efforts and remember that … the HSC is not the only route to success.”
Head of inner-city private girls’ school SCEGGS Jenny Allum advised students to stay calm and pace themselves carefully through the tests, which can go for up to three hours.
“Remember that the HSC is not the be-all and end-all that it is often made out to be,” she said.
“There are many ways to get to where you are wanting to go … so feel confident and proud of all you have achieved at school and just do the best you can!”
Department of Education Secretary Murat Dizdar said students must maintain their relationships with family and friends and take regular breaks from study.
“It’s very important that you be kind to yourself during this period … we can only ask that you give every exam your best, but also remember that the results alone are not going to define you,” he said.
At Ravenswood School For Girls in Sydney’s Upper North Shore, English Advanced students Emma Harvey, Molly Solomon, Lottie Block and Eliza Cheshire spent yesterday (Tuesday) cramming in their final practice essays ahead of their first test.
All four have received early entry offers for university, taking some of the heat off the final exams, with Molly and Eliza accepting their places and Emma deferring hers to take a gap year.
“It’s natural, obviously, for it to be stressful, but all of us have got … our plans for next year so we know it’s not the be-all and end-all,” Emma said.
“Whilst we’ve been building up to this moment for years, it’s also like there’s light at the end of the tunnel at this point.”
The girls’ principal, Anne Johnstone, said reaching this stage of schooling is in itself a “testament to (the Class of 2023’s) dedication, grit, resilience and agility in navigating a global pandemic for some years of their educational journey”.
“Keep it in perspective … students are worth far more than their ATAR, and there are myriad choices and opportunities for success in pursuit of goals beyond the ATAR,” she said.
At fellow all-girls school Stella Maris College in Manly, principal Elizabeth Carnegie encouraged students to “embrace your exams with courage and tenacity”.
“You have pushed through uncertainty and disruption during your high school years and have emerged with conviction and compassion,” she said.
“You have done all you can. Have trust in yourself ... you know more than you realise.”
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