English was the first on the list and was the only compulsory subject of four weeks of exams.

At Peel High School, more than 50 year-12 leavers piled into the school hall and sat the two hour exam. Many left with sighs of relief.

There were mixed reactions from the young people, some who thought they did well and others who thought they could have been better prepared.

“It’s not something you can explain or prepare for,” Jessica Clark said.

“Even if you look at last year’s papers, they don’t really make it the same as the next year.

“The only way you can study is to make sure you have all your study notes.”

Fellow student Brianna Dyson said she was off to New York on a dance scholarship next year and wasn’t too stressed about the process.

While Kaidia Rule said her first exam was stressful, she knew there were other options available post HSC.

“I’m not going to let the results determine my future,” she said.

“I’ve already got my career started. I’ve just finished my certificate three in childcare.”

School year adviser Lisa Panton said the first exam was a learning curb for her students but most had applied themselves to their revision work.

“For some it was a bit daunting and they were a little scared about it because a lot of them have realised this is the real deal and the teachers aren’t there to help them anymore,” she said.

“Some were a bit under-prepared but then we had students who knew what was expected of them and they have been in here studying during the holidays and during the week.

“I’m absolutely proud of them all. As a year adviser, it is one of the most emotional and rewarding jobs you can do as a teacher and a lot of our kids are going to go off and get apprenticeships, trades, uni degrees and TAFE.

“In whatever career they choose I am proud that they finished their HSC.”