The culmination of 13 years’ schooling hit home for 138 Dubbo College Year 12 students when they sat down to take the English 1 paper last week, the first of the exams for the 2022 Higher School Certificate (HSC).
Manti Morse, relieving as the Head Teacher English, believed the paper was a fair exam and that the local students had prepared well.
“There was a wide array of textual forms in the short answers, the students will be happy to see this,” Ms Morse said.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Brown was excited to see a local representation in the exam texts.
“It was wonderful to see a local photographer being represented in the visual text.” Miss Brown said, with Clancy Paine (nee Clancy Job – a former photographer for Dubbo Photo News) having her ‘Dust Storm Daisy’ photograph utilised.
English Teacher Brad Garland was also happy with the paper, considering the disruptions to this cohort.
“It’s still really important to recognise this cohort of students did have hurdles, with disruptions in their early year 12 studies and in the build-up to formal study processes.”
“They definitely haven’t had a stereotypical run at the HSC” he said.
Year 12 student Lauren Priddis was pleased with her efforts in the lead up to the exams.
“I found it super easy to prepare for, and to adapt my essay to the question,” she said, “I knew my essay, I worked hard, and did lots of practice papers. The feedback from my teachers has really helped too.”
Lauren’s looking forward to a gap year in 2023 to give herself a break, and then hopes to complete a Bachelor of Veterinary Science.
Hugh Olney is thinking about a career in either carpentry or paramedicine and said he found the exam quite good.
“The short answers were really good, probably because of the broad themes they entailed, like paradoxes and duality of the human condition,” he said.
Likewise, the essay question was what Hugh expected, noting the ease of adaptation to prepared essays.
“The teachers support through the holidays was handy, they helped to improve our thought processes, and how best to articulate our point.”
“The efforts of our teachers have been valuable, including Ms. Farquhar, who relocated recently to the South Coast and has remained accessible and interested in our journey.
“It’s tough when you’re not at school to stay motivated, to keep your study structure; the teachers have helped us set up a structure and are always challenging our ideas – it’s really handy to have that support. Not just in English, but across all subjects,” he said.
Ashley Steele aspires to be a radiographer and says although she struggled with timing, she did like the essay question and was able to complete it.
“Our year group didn’t get exposed to year 11 exit exams. Year 12 trials were our first time sitting formal exams for an extended time,” she said, thanking both her teachers and her peers for all their assistance.
“All the support after trials, the use of google classrooms, holiday tutorials and study sessions – it all helped.”
“We were well supported on how to improve, and well prepared for the HSC.”