West Wallsend High School principal Dr Fiona Walsh has overseen a turn around in her school's HSC results. And she has some advice for students about to embark on their final two-and-a-half weeks of study before exams.
"You need to remember that it's never too late," she said. "You've still got enough time to focus on what you don't know, knuckle down and improve your overall result."
Last month the school received an award from the secretary of the Department of Education recognising its improvement in performance in the Higher School Certificate.
In 2014 the school was in the bottom 50 high schools in the state in terms of the improvement in students' performance between their Year 9 NAPLAN and Year 12 HSC results. Now the school is in the top 100 for that indicator.
"In 2012 we had only 15 per cent of Year 12s indicate they wanted to go to university. In 2018 there was 70 per cent," Dr Walsh said.
Dr Walsh said the change in results and attitude had been driven by the professional development of teachers who had gone onto implement new programs for senior students at the school.
Jessica Somner, a teacher librarian, has "case managed" the 2019 Year 12 cohort to ensure each student had submitted their university and TAFE applications before their last day of school on Thursday.
"We come from an area where a lot of these students are first in family to complete their HSC so a lot of parents do not know how to apply. We're trying to remove those barriers," Ms Somner said.
She has organised weekly revision workshops during school sport, when Year 12s would have previously left early for the day. Head teachers have been running "English Breakfast" and "Math Milo" sessions before school.
"That's about giving them a chance to come with work they need help with," English head teacher Lauren Holding said.
Keep it personal for you by using the study techniques you find most effective, whether that's making mind maps, doing past papers, or creating acronyms to memorise information.
Aiden Halpin
Heidi Sullivan,17, said the extra support for Year 12s had encouraged her to improve her results from "just passing" to achieving 90s in all her trial exams.
"I knew my teachers genuinely cared about me and that pushed me to work harder," the graduating student said.
Aiden Halpin, 17, said that his modern history teacher Courtney Rubie had influenced his decision to become a high school teacher. He has been ranked in the top five students of every class he has undertaken for the HSC.
"She constantly gave me feedback on pieces of work and she always pushed me to do extra study," he said. "She makes teaching look enjoyable and inspiring."
Heidi is hoping to study nutrition at the University of Newcastle and go on to do honours. She said she needs a 74 ATAR to get into the course.
"My goal is 92. I don't want to finish my 13 years schooling knowing I could have done better, I want to congratulate myself."
Advice for new Year 12s
Aiden and Heidi had some tips for those starting Year 12. Heidi said she started the school year by changing her room so it was conducive to study.
"Before it was Netflix on my computer all the time, now I have blocks in place, and mind maps everywhere."
Aiden said to work consistently and use study periods.
"I did about two hours of study in my spare time every day," he said.
"Use your time wisely particularly at school. I've got sport and a job outside of school, it's a very packed schedule."
Heidi's final piece of advice was to pick subjects you like and form a bond with your teachers.
"Because of that I have always felt confident to ask them questions."
Tips for the HSC study period
- "I'd say work off the syllabus that's been provided by NESA" - Aiden
- "Keep it personal for you by using the study techniques you find most effective, whether that's making mind maps, doing past papers, or creating acronyms to memorise information" - Aiden
- "If you find yourself not engaged in study, if you are mucking around on your phone or drifting off, that's when you need to take a break. Go outside have something to eat or drink, refresh your mind and go again" - Aiden
- "I like to get out the syllabus and use each syllabus point as a key heading and go off those to make detailed study notes" - Heidi
- "If I'm not making notes on Word, I'll use the syllabus headings to expand off and create mind maps" - Heidi
- "When I'm not feeling motivated I do past papers, especially multiple choice. It's a way of revising when you're not really feeling like studying" - Heidi
