COVID-19 and My 2020 HSC | Updated: 15 May 2020

Update 15/5/2020: the HSC has been moved back by 5 days to the 20th October, 2020. What is happening to NSW schools amid COVID-19? How does COVID-19 affect my 2020 HSC?

If you’re asking these questions, don’t worry, you’re not alone. These are the questions that all Year 12 students are currently asking themselves.

In this article, we’ll discuss NESA’s current position and clear up some confusion regarding your 2020 HSC.

Note: Please note, these responses are based on information released by NESA as of 7rd April 2020. As this is an evolving situation, follow NESA’s announcements closely to monitor any updates or changes to their guidelines.

What is in this article?

• What should I be doing now?
• How will schools run?
• Do I need to register for Home Schooling if I keep my child home during the coronavirus outbreak?
• What will happen to HSC school assessments?
• What will happen with the HSC exam?
• Will I be disadvantaged if I get COVID-19?
• How will this affect my UAC application?
• How can I still effectively prepare for the HSC in isolation?

What should I be doing now?

Nesa has committed to finding a “fair and equitable way to calculate marks for cancelled components of the HSC.” To that end, they have told students to:

• “Keep learning, do your assessments.”
• “Look after yourself, whether you are at school or at home.”
• “Reach out to family, friends and your teachers if you need to.”
• “Go to UAC COVID-19 updates for information about entering university in 2021.”

NESA have released this video NESA chair Peter Shergold explaining where things stand as of 7th April, 2020:

How will schools run?

Are schools still open?

On the 23rd of March 2020, the NSW Premier announced that all schools are moving towards an online-based learning platform starting from the 24th of March 2020.

This does not mean that schools are shut down. NSW schools are still opened for students who are unable to stay at home. For example, if both parents are delivering frontline services and cannot supervise their children at home.

However, parents are advised to keep their children at home if possible.

They are still able to access their school learning through online programs. Different schools will have different ways of communicating with these students. This can be through Zoom conferences, G-Suite, Seesaw, Canvas, email etc.

This means that all students, whether they are at school or at home, will be studying one unit of work.

Note: Some schools may choose to not operate due to confirmed cases of COVID-19. You need to stay updated with your school announcements.

Social distancing in school

If students decide to attend school, the 4-metre square policy will be applied.

Non-essential group activities like assemblies, excursions and sports will be cancelled or postponed.

Canteens will also be closed.

What happens if I don’t have access to a computer?

Parents should contact their school if they do not have access to a computer. The school can arrange access and help.

What happens if I don’t have access to the internet at home?

USB drives containing resources or printed worksheets can be sent by mail to students.

Do I need to register for Home Schooling if I keep my child home during the outbreak?

No. Parents won’t need to register for Home Schooling during the current pandemic.

NSW schools continue to support students and parents at school and while they are studying remotely. You can find out what NESA are doing to support parents, here, on the NESA website.

What will happen to the HSC school assessments?

School assessments

The NESA Board confirmed that the HSC is still running on 24 March 2020. That is unchanged as of April 7, 2020.

They are allowing principals and school authorities to make appropriate decisions regarding the amount and weighting of HSC and Year 11 assessment tasks. This means that HSC assessment requirements will be relaxed to accommodate unprecedented circumstances.

The chair of the NESA Board, Professor Shergold said, “This action provides schools with the flexibility they need to support their students in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak.”

So, you should keep in contact with your school teachers for updated information regarding your assessment tasks and their weightings. Continue to complete your assessments and major projects and study smart.

VET courses, HSC performances and major works

The COVID-19 Response committee will meet on Thursday 9th April to discuss assessments for:

• Visual Arts
• Design and Technology
• Industrial Technology
• Textiles and Design
• English Extension 2
• Society and Culture

NESA has now provided advice on:

• VET course work placements
• Group drama, dance or music performances
• Major works and projects

Follow NESA’s announcements closely for updated advice regarding these issues. This should be released later this week (as of 25 March 2020).

VET Courses

Students are no longer required to undertake NESA mandated VET courses.

Drama, Music, and Dance performances

The mandatory group performance exam in Drama and the mandatory ensemble performance for Music Extension have been cancelled.

Other performances will be cancelled if they breach mandatory distancing requirements.

Science Extension Scientific Research Project

Students should continue to develops nd research their portfolio.

The final Scientific Research Report is still due to be submitted in Term 3, 2020.

What is happening with the HSC exam?

The NESA Board confirmed that the HSC is still running as of 15th May, 2020. The HSC has been moved back by 5 days to the 20th October to allow students more face-to-face time to study and prepare.

You will still achieve an HSC certificate and be admitted to tertiary studies. NESA have stated that:

Key dates and deadlines currently listed on the NESA website are subject to change due to the COVID-19 outbreak. NESA will continue to update you with exceptions and changes to relevant deadlines.

However, it is not specified whether or not the HSC exams will continue to be an in-person exam. Follow NESA’s announcements closely to see their updated advice.

Will I be disadvantaged if I or a family member contract COVID-19?

School assessments

As the chair of the NESA Board stated, principals and school authorities have the power to shift assessment marking schemes.

If you contract COVID-19 or are suffering from a related misadventure, you should contact your school immediately. They have illness and misadventure policies that will ensure that you are not disadvantaged. This means you might sit substitute assessments or be given an estimate for your assessments.

HSC exams

NESA has an illness and misadventure process in place for students who are disadvantaged from illnesses or related misadventures.

It is important that you immediately contact them if this occurs.

How will this affect my UAC application?

UAC applications are proceeding as normal. Applications for Semester 2, 2020 and semester 1, 2021 have both opened.

UAC will have sent you your UAC PIN already on 1st April, 2020.

Any further details about changes that will affect students and their entry into university will be released at a later date. UAC makes it clear that they, along with other stakeholders,  will make sure no student is disadvantaged.

UAC has stated that they are “here to help, so please get in touch if you need advice or reassurance. Our call centre is fully operational, and our friendly team is standing by to take calls on 1300 275 822 Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm. Livechat and email through our website also continue to be available.”

How can I still effectively prepare for the HSC in isolation or during lockdown?

We know that it is difficult to prepare for the HSC with everything that’s going on.

However, there are many available resources that can guide you through this process.

Online learning guides

We have an Online Learning Guide to help you through these tough times:

• Overview: How to study effectively during isolation or at home
• Part 1: Study planning and how to maintain motivation
• Part 2: How to learn remotely at home
• Part 3: How to effectively use online learning 
• Part 4: How to study English Online using Matrix+

We also have a vast array of English, Biology and Physics guides on our website. We break down different modules and give you the advice to tackle them.

Matrix online videos

Matrix is undergoing a few changes amid the current COVID-19 crisis. We’re still providing the same exceptional resources and classes taught by HSC experts… Except, it is all online!

Now, you will have access to online video classes, live Q&A, and feedback from your teachers!

NESA links

Furthermore, NESA has some advice about remote studies:

• Advice to parents and carers
• Learning from home hub 
• Teaching and learning resources

What should I do now?

For the moment, keep studying, follow a schedule, and keep up with the latest NSW Government, NESA, and Matrix announcements. We’ll be providing more information about Matrix Online Learning this week.