COVID-19 prompts changes to HSC timetable

A number of alterations to the 2021 HSC timetable have been announced by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) COVID-19 Response Committee.

The changes have been made to minimise the impact of the pandemic on students and schools.

Changes made to upcoming HSC exams include:

• Rescheduling the Oral language exams to run from 14 August to 18 September for students in Greater Sydney and regional NSW.
• Rescheduling the Dance performance exams to run from 9-13 August in schools in regional NSW, and 13-17 September in schools in Greater Sydney.
• Extending the due date for the Society and Culture Personal Interest Project by two weeks to 9 August.

More information, including the proposed timetable for the rescheduled oral and dance exams will be provided as soon as possible.

Chair of the Committee Professor Peter Shergold said these decisions reflect the latest health advice and are part of ongoing decisions providing certainty to students.

“We know students, particularly those in Greater Sydney, need as much support as possible as they prepare to hand in their major projects and sit exams,” he said.

“Our priority is to limit disruption to HSC students and provide as much clarity as possible to them and their schools.

“This involves working with Health to identify where and when we should make changes to the HSC that allow it to continue with limited disruption.

“This is why we are taking a step by step approach, not rushing any decisions and making sure no changes are unnecessary, while also protecting the safety of students and the integrity and equity of this year’s HSC.”

Strict COVID safety measures will be in place for all HSC exams and students will be required to follow the public health orders at the time of the exam.

To prevent the mixing of students from different schools, NESA will re-program the session dates, times and venues of the oral language exams in Greater Sydney. To avoid unnecessary travel, oral language exams for students in regional NSW will be held online wherever possible.

“We are continuing to work closely with NSW Health and will provide a further update to schools early next week about due dates for the other major projects and Drama and Music performance exams currently scheduled for later in August,” Shergold said.

CEO of NESA Paul Martin said students will obtain their HSC this year.

“My message to students is to continue studying and focus on achieving your best as we work with all schools to ensure the HSC continues with minimal disruptions.

“We are working with all sectors, with Health and the Department of Education to create contingency plans and COVID safe guidelines for running the HSC,” Martin said.

NESA has also released advice to help schools in Greater Sydney with contingency planning for the trial HSC exams.

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