Thousands of students across the state are putting in some last minute study this morning as they face their first exam of the Higher School Certificate (HSC).
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The HSC will run until Wednesday, November 5 and will commence with English Paper 1 for the advanced, standard and ESL classes.
Kelso High has 90 Year 12 students sitting their HSC this year.
Principal Keith Peasley said this is an exceptional Year 12 group.
“They are very focused,” he said.
“They will definitely get the marks they deserve.”
Mr Peasley said he has advised his students that the HSC is another test, not a supreme judgement of their ability and character as students.
He added that it is certainly important and they must prepare, but there are other ways to reach their goals.
Mr Peasley said he believes about one in four Kelso High students will gain early entry to university.
He said he will be interested to see how the new early entry process, introduced for the first time this year, will work.
The selection process, which has been centralised this year, should result in savings by eliminating double handling.
The thrilled principal said the Year 12 students raised money for two school charities this year.
“Their final week of school last week was the best I’ve seen from any Year 12,” he said.
“I’m so proud of them.”
Two Kelso High students who will be sitting the HSC English exam today are Melissa Wells and Louis Meurant.
Melissa will sit the exams for English, engineering, biology, physics and maths.
She has applied for early entry to Wollongong University to study engineering and maths.
Melissa will find out if she has been accepted for early entry in a few days time, but said she is committed to getting the best mark possible.
“I’m a little nervous, and I am sure that will kick in a bit more on the day,” she said.
Melissa expects her best subject will be four unit maths.
She is a little concerned about how she will go in today’s English exam, but said at least she is getting it out of the way early on.
“I have been studying a fair bit, but I think I could do a bit more,” she laughed.
Louis also wants to attend Wollongong University.
“It’s a good all-round university,” he said.
He has his eye on Mechatronic Engineering Systems and Robotics and is pitching for a career in systems control operations for a large corporation.
Louis has studied English, three unit maths, engineering, physics, chemistry and biology.
Though the nerves are starting to arrive, he is determined not to put too much pressure on himself now that it is down to the wire – he believes it is important to have a bit of a break before exams.
Louis said the HSC is important if you are just relying on one avenue to get into the course you want.
“There are lots of ways to get in,” he said.
“Even if your marks are not what you want, there are heaps of avenues available to you.”
Louis has also applied for early entry to Wollongong.
