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Some students have been studying consistently for the last year, while others picked up the pace as the end of the school year loomed.
Many of the kids spent the October school holidays with their heads in the textbooks, while others have admitted they’ve left their revision to the very last minute.
Some of them have detailed their strategies for study and are targeting the hardest subjects first that will have the most value towards their Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranking (ATAR) marks.
Whatever their study methods might be we hope they leave the exam rooms after each test feeling like they gave it their best shot.
The High School Certificate exams are a rite of passage for every year 12 student.
But is this important piece of paper gradually losing its meaning?
When you speak with many past students, they will often say all the stress wasn’t worth it. The exams are done and dusted.
They got their marks, they talked about it for a few days, but after that, it was work or study or travel, or a much-needed break.
Some of our most successful locals have gone on to great careers, or had incredible experiences, and it had nothing to do with what mark they scored in their HSC.
A few exams will not dictate or determine our kids’ future. It might help to shape something now, but their chosen path is not in concrete.
And this is important. It’s the cliche that most parents or carers have told their kids, but it can’t be said enough. The HSC is not the be all and end all.
These kids can still achieve their future career goals and dreams by other means, it just might not be on the path they expected.
Regardless of whatever paths they choose in the future, as a community we should be proud of these driven, motivated and conscientious young adults.
And we as community members must remember, whatever the next four weeks of exams might throw at our year 12 students, we must ensure that they know that afterwards they can still achieve their dreams, whatever shape or form.
Congratulations to the class of 2017 and best of luck with what lies ahead, whatever that might be.