Back to School: Universities encourage HSC students to keep up the good work and carry on

22 May 2020

As school students make their way back to school, New South Wales universities wish to assure HSC students that they recognise that the COVID-19 pandemic has being a disrupting force to students’ studies.
The New South Wales Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (NSWVCC), which represents all NSW-based universities, supports the joint decision of the NSW Education Standards Agency (NESA) and the NSW Department of Education to hold the HSC exams in 2020.
On behalf of the NSWVCC, UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings encouraged HSC students to stay the course.
“NESA’s decision to run year 12 examinations gives students certainty and a clear pathway to university entry.
“We appreciate that the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted on students’ focus, but the need for certainty is paramount.
“Proceeding with the HSC examinations provides certainty to students, parents and teachers as well as universities.
“Year 12 students and others aspiring to further study in 2021 are strongly encouraged to remain committed to completing the HSC in 2020,” Professor Wellings said.
Professor Wellings assured all students, teachers and parents that universities would assist as much as possible via admission processes and wished to remind students that there are alternative pathways into university such as bridging and foundational courses to build up knowledge and skills lost during the pandemic.
“As in all previous years, NSW universities work closely with the NESA and the Universities Admissions Centre to ensure that university admission processes and pathways are as equitable and transparent as possible.
“This will continue for 2021 admissions with universities taking the impact of these disruptions into account in assessing applications for admission, especially for certain student groups that are more likely to have been disadvantaged by the disruption.
“2020 is proving to be a disruptive year for the higher education sector, but we urge all students to remain focused on achieving their best possible results under the circumstances.
“Students should feel reassured that all universities are looking forward to welcoming this year’s graduating secondary students into courses commencing in 2021, and that universities have learning support arrangements to assist university students with reaching their potential.” Professor Wellings said.