New HSC date provides some certainty for Hunter students in lockdown

The West Wallsend High year 12 student said he had received a conditional offer of the Hansen Scholarship, which is awarded to talented students whose financial circumstances present a challenge to accessing a first-class education.

It includes accommodation, an allowance and financial and personal support and is dependent on him receiving an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of 90.

Related: 'Barriers to vaccination': teachers union concern at jab deadline

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"It's crucial for me to do my HSC [Higher School Certificate] exams, it's a critical factor for me actually achieving my dreams and goals in life," Kalleb, 18, said.

"I really want to work within low socio economic communities to help with access to public transportation, so I want to do urban planning and specialise in public transport solutions.

"Growing up in Windale, I saw first hand the effects of public transport changes."

Kalleb welcomed confirmation on Friday all the exams would proceed, albeit from a delayed start of November 9.

"It's a rite of passage, it signifies the ending of our secondary education," he said.

"[This certainty] allows me to double down on my efforts to study and achieve. But while they've created certainty, it's also created immense uncertainty."

He said it was unclear what NSW students waiting until mid-January to get their results and ATARs would mean for those who had applied to or received conditional offers from interstate universities, which had their own offer rounds.

"Have they only communicated with [NSW's] UAC, or have they communicated with all acceptance facilities around the country to ensure no student will be disadvantaged by their actions? I'm kind of in limbo."

The government said in a statement the delayed exams "will not disadvantage NSW students when applying to university".

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell told regional media the NSW Education Standards Authority "who run the HSC, have started to have those conversations for us".

"I know particularly looking at universities in the ACT and in Melbourne to make sure students are still able to access if they want to go to a university outside of NSW," she said.

"I think it's important to note, too, that the university offers usually happen over a number of rounds throughout January, so there is still the ability for that to take place for our students in terms of the timing of their results.

"I was told yesterday that it actually falls into line with, for instance, students who might sit the IB [International Baccalaureate] instead of the HSC.

"That's about the time their results come out.

"We're confident we'll be able to make it work.

"We've had good, positive discussions with the university sector so far and NESA will keep doing that on the government's behalf."

The Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre's first round for year 12 will be January 14.

Kalleb said there were still question marks over how the new HSC dates and lockdown would affect graduations and formals.

Ms Mitchell told said schools would have to wait for health advice.

"It's certainly something the year 12 students have been raising with me when I'm doing my roundtables with them," she said.

"Like we had last year, it's a rite of passage, and I know they want to be able to celebrate with their friends.

"But we're just going to have to see what's happening in our communities, what our vaccination rates and case numbers are like and what are other restrictions are lifting."

Kalleb said he was disappointed year 12 would have to wait until October 25 to return to school, unless lockdown is lifted.

"They did not prioritise regional students for vaccination so we could get back earlier."

Kalleb said he felt fortunate his school finished their trial exams the day before the Hunter went into lockdown on August 5.

He said remote learning over the past three weeks had been challenging, but his teachers and school had been incredibly supportive and helped him continue to achieve.

School principal Krystal Bevin said the school's year 12 students "remain of the highest priority for us".

"Our teachers are doing an incredible job with daily check-ins, wellbeing sessions, study booster days and a range of other supports to ensure year 12 stay motivated and on track," she said. "Our students know when it is safe to do so they will be recognised and celebrated in the best possible way. They will certainly be deserving of it!"

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