Uncertainty grows over Year 12 finals examinations

Year 12 students poised to take finals exams face fresh uncertainty after coronavirus cases forced two schools in western Sydney to close.

NSW Health has ordered all secondary pupils at Tangara School for Girls in Cherrybrook to self-quarantine after a second student has tested positive with coronavirus.

Year 12 students poised to take finals exams face fresh uncertainty after coronavirus cases forced two schools in western Sydney to close.

Performance exams for HSC dance begin on Monday, while oral language assessments commence on Saturday. Year 12 students at Tangara School will return to remote learning on Tuesday, after all secondary pupils were forced to isolate after two students tested positive to COVID- 19.

On Sunday, NSW Health confirmed all secondary pupils at Tangara School for Girls in Cherrybrook have been ordered to self-quarantine for two weeks after a second student was infected with the virus. The state’s health authorities said all students and staff at the secondary campus, in northwest Sydney, were required to be tested and self-isolate for two weeks, even if they returned a negative test result.

Another case has been reported in the student’s household, bringing the number of cases associated with the school to three.

The school’s secondary campus is now closed until August 21, but the junior campus will reopen on August 12 for parents who need to send their children to school

Our Ladies of Mercy College in Parramatta will also be shut on Monday for cleaning after a student tested positive for COVID-19.

NSW Health said contact tracing was under way for close contacts of the student.

Year 12 students at Tangara are expected to be contacted regarding their HSC trial exams on Monday, with the virus casting uncertainty over their schedule.

Last week, the Victorian government announced that every Year 12 student in the state would be individually assessed to determine their university admissions ranking, or ATAR. Education Minister James Merlino said the impact of school closures, an increase in family responsibilities and mental health would be considered. VCE exams will go ahead as scheduled, but schools will also be asked to rank students.

NSW recorded 10 new cases of COVID-19 in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday, including two under investigation. Seven cases were locally acquired and linked to known cases and one was a returned traveller in hotel quarantine.