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The HSC finish line is the start of your next adventure
A message from the Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, Prue Car.
As we reach the midway point of the school year, the HSC Class of 2026 enter the final leg of their high school journey.
This is a major milestone in every student’s life, and my message to students is – this is not an end point. It is the start of something new.
Your studies, with the support of the country’s best teachers, have prepared you well for the future.
Since primary school, you’ve developed foundational knowledge and skills which you have built on further in high school, honing your understanding and ability to think critically.
You’ve uncovered passions and areas of interest and begun to discover what you want to learn more about, or a career you may want to pursue.
The next chapter and those that follow will look different for each of you. The HSC has provided a grounding to support those options – whether that be undertaking a trade, heading to university or TAFE, travelling or joining the workforce.
And of course – you don’t need to have it figured out yet. Your path may change along the way as it does for many of us. That’s part of life.
So, as you prepare to head into your final exams – take stock of all that you have already achieved. Maintain a sense of balance and perspective. Take time to look after yourself, get plenty of sleep, eat well and take breaks from study when you can.
This year’s HSC Study Guide is full of resources to support you, your family, and the students who will be completing the HSC in the years ahead.
You will hear practical tips from recent graduates who have moved into careers or further studies as well as gaining insights from current HSC markers.
All the best to the HSC Class of 2026. Enjoy this final chapter – great things await you.
Turn preparation into confidence with this study guide
In a few months, some 80,000 young people will tackle the final HSC hurdle, with written exams marking the end of their high school careers.
As the Deputy Premier said, this is a milestone – but certainly not an end point.
The HSC exams are an opportunity for students to show what they know and can do – so let your preparation give you confidence as you head into this final chapter.
The Class of 2026 are witnesses to, and part of, changes in the Higher School Certificate.
They are the first cohort to study and be examined on the new Health and Movement Science course, replacing PDHPE and the first cohort with access to new features of the HSC Exams Provisions program while it is rolled out.
The HSC Class of 2026 will be the last one examined on the 2017 English, Mathematics and History Extension syllabuses, ahead of new syllabuses being examined from next year; they are the second group of students to study and be examined on new Software Engineering, Enterprise Computing and Geography syllabuses.
For Health and Movement Science students, we’ve included some great advice from a classroom teacher and HSC marker, to support you this year. Head to our NSW Curriculum site to access the sample exam materials to help you prepare.
The NSW Curriculum is where you will also find a new tool, to support students, teachers and families finding current and new syllabuses, as well as related resources and essential information about prescribed texts.
Our wellbeing partners ReachOut have again joined us to share their resources and advice to help students and their families prioritise wellbeing in the lead-up to, and during, exams.
My advice to students is to have confidence in yourself and your preparation. Take care, do your best and know that you have supporters behind you – your family, your teachers, your classmates and your community.
Paul Martin, CEO, NSW Education Standards Authority
Simple wellbeing tips for a stronger HSC result
The wellbeing of HSC students is more important than any assessment or exam mark – but opening up conversations about this as a parent or carer can sometimes be challenging.
ReachOut has provided its top five practical tips for parents and carers to support the healthy habits of students finishing the HSC.
Keep communication open: Regular check-ins are important during year 12. Give positive feedback, offer support and share your own experiences if they feel relevant.
Set boundaries for technology: Technology can sometimes hinder your teen’s concentration, but it can also be a necessary tool for studying, relaxing and getting support. Agree on some boundaries for activities such as social media and gaming, especially during exam periods.
Take breaks together: Regular breaks are crucial for year 12 success. Taking time out as a family can help to ease the pressure on students and foster healthy bonds. Try scheduling some simple activities that you all enjoy – it’s a chance to have some fun and check-in with each other.
Make home study-friendly: Little things like helping your teen to set up a functional study space and having healthy snacks on hand can help to lighten their load.
Watch for signs of excessive stress: If your teen is struggling with things like sleep, poor eating habits, low self-esteem, increased irritability or health problems, they may be carrying too much stress. Talk to your teen about it and seek support from places like ReachOut Parents or your GP.
For young people, ReachOut has also broken down some of the simple things you can do to check in with yourself and prioritise your own wellbeing.
Look after the basics: Simple things like moving your body, eating healthy snacks and getting regular sleep will help to keep your mood up. When you take care of these things, life tends to flow more smoothly.
Break down the workload: Break your goals into small, achievable steps. It makes things feel less daunting and it can be fun to track your progress and celebrate each win as you go.
Managing exam stress: Work out what your main stressors are so you can create some effective self-care and support strategies to help manage exam stress.
Practise self-care: Year 12 is a marathon, not a sprint – so remember to pace yourself. Taking breaks to do things that make you happy is crucial and will help to keep you motivated through to the finish line.
Seek help: Some stress in year 12 is totally normal – it can even help you stay motivated. But if it’s constant or overwhelming, it can be harmful. If you’re feeling this way, ReachOut or your GP are both good places to start when it comes to getting support.
Guiding lights
The Herald’s HSC Study Guide is produced in partnership with NESA. Photographs used in the guide were taken by Janie Barrett at Arthur Phillip High School in Parramatta and Cherrybrook Technology High School. Thank you to the staff and students for their participation.
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