Central Coast based HSC students have received further clarity around how their HSC will proceed, following the latest advice from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
Chair of the NESA Board, Professor Peter Shergold, announced on April 2 that a number of key decisions about the 2020 HSC had been made by the newly formed NESA COVID-19 Response Committee, to protect the health and safety of students, teachers and parents during the pandemic.
Effective immediately, the Committee has agreed to: give Principals and system authorities the power to determine the number, type and weighting of tasks for Year 11 school based assessment, in line with the decision communicated last week for HSC students; Lift the requirement for VET students to undertake NESA work placements; Cancel mandatory group performance exams in Drama and the mandatory ensemble performance exam in Music Extension; and, modify other performance exams that breach social distancing requirements.
According to Prof Shergold, the Committee was now turning its attention to courses with major projects, with additional advice for students in Visual Arts, Design and Technology, Industrial Technology, Textiles and Design, English Extension 2 and Society and Culture expected to be announced during the Easter holidays.
Professor Shergold said that these latest decisions and every future decision made by the Committee will prioritise the adoption of arrangements for the 2020 HSC that are practical and do not disadvantage any student.
“The Committee is continuing to meet weekly to address issues and provide up to date advice.
“I can say with certainty that students will have the opportunity to receive their HSC credential this year, so students should continue to learn, complete their assessments and take care of themselves.
“This year’s HSC students will be able to continue with the next chapter of their lives, whether that’s university, an apprenticeship or TAFE,” Professor Shergold said.
A Technical Advisory Committee of assessment experts and key stakeholders is currently working to establish a fair and equitable way to calculate a mark for each of the cancelled components of the HSC.
NESA will communicate this process as soon as it is finalised.
Source:
Press release, Apr 2
Jennifer Ward, NESA