HSC results not the only measure of student ability

EDUCATION expert Greg Whitby reminds students that some of the most successful people in the world never did the HSC or anything like it.

There is life after the HSC - regardless of the results.

THIS week, more than 77,000 NSW students will receive their Higher School Certificate (HSC) results.

As always, we will congratulate the high achievers, acknowledge those who overcame hardship and recognise the efforts of everyone who worked hard.

Many students feel the pressure of ‘‘needing” to do well in their HSC. Some may feel a sense of disappointment with their results.

Students often feel pressured to do well.

So it is critical to remember that the HSC should never be viewed as a reflection of a young person’s individual worth or what he/she is capable of achieving in the future.

Note that some of the most successful people in the world never completed a HSC or its equivalent.

The day after receiving their subject scores and “bands”, many students will also receive another score - their Australian Tertiary Entrance Rank (ATAR).

They are calculated by a formula that scales marks upwards or downwards according to the complexity of each subject.

ATAR score explained

Increasingly, universities are recognising that an ATAR alone does not provide enough information about a student’s suitability to study a particular course.

They are looking for all-rounders with a range of personal attributes.

For those who do not receive the ATAR, there are now many other options and pathways. The recent appointment of Susan Kiefel as the nation’s next High Court judge is a good example.

Ms Kiefel left school at 15 and started working as a legal secretary and studying law part-time.

The HSC is just the atart of the journey, not the end.

The nature of work and learning is changing. The definition of what makes a successful career is also changing.

My message to the more than 77,000 students awaiting their results is take heart. Regardless of how well you do in the HSC, this is the start of your journey not the end of it.

For parents and educators, we need to reinforce the message that a commitment to and love of a subject is far more important than grades because it propels young people to go further as independent and curious learners.