HSC trials halted: police investigate Sydney school after second breach

NSW Police are investigating a second security breach at a Sydney school which has had to reschedule three HSC trial exams.

The Catholic Secondary Schools Association has revealed an HSC trial exam breach at an unnamed Sydney school.

NSW Police are investigating a second security breach at a Sydney school which has had to reschedule three Higher School Certificate trial exams.

The serious incident comes after HSC trials at Sydney’s exclusive The Scots College in Bellevue Hill were also thrown into disarray earlier this month after physics trial exam papers were stolen.

The Catholic Secondary Schools Association (CSSA) today revealed the breach at another unnamed Sydney school.

In a statement, the CSSA said the school had notified NSW police of the incident and an investigation was underway.

“On the basis of the facts known at this stage — provided by the school to the CSSA — the breach does not appear to involve any school procedures or personnel. The breach impact affects only one class and three exams which have already been sat,’ the CSSA said.

“While this is regrettable, it is necessary to uphold the integrity of the exam results.’’

The school and the CSSA’s exams division are reviewing the security procedures around exam papers printing, delivery, storage and access at the school.

The CSSA said its Exams Division was committed to the security of its HSC trial exam papers, which are provided to about 480 government, Catholic and independent schools in NSW. The CSSA’s papers are considered to be the most rigorous exam papers available and are recognised as good preparation for the HSC.

At The Scots College, two physics papers were allegedly stolen from a cupboard in a late-night break-in hours before the trial exam was due to begin.