HSC students stuck in limbo could finally get answers around how and when their final exams will be held when a back to school report is released tomorrow.
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Currently, students are reporting elevated anxiety levels over the uncertainty surrounding the final exams as NSW COVID cases continue to rise.
Brianna Howes is a year 12 student at Wagga Wagga Christian College in NSW's Riverina.
She and her classmates wrapped up their trial exams on August 13 and just 24 hours later found themselves caught up in the state-wide lockdown with their final exams left up in the air.
"The [short notice] made it 10 times worse than the last lockdown because at least we knew that one was coming," Miss Howes said.
Earlier this week, potential options for COVID-safe ways to run the HSC exams were discussed at a meeting of the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), but no final decisions have yet been confirmed.
A NESA spokesperson did not confirm any rumoured solutions, but said "all options" are being considered.
Miss Howes said a lack of clarification has left her and fellow students uncertain.
"I've got my exam timetable on my wall but it's like, is this going to be my actual timetable or is it going to change? Will I have more time or less time?" she said.
"I've heard talk about just doing the English exam and then you think, I could study for all these other subjects and not have an [exam] and I think, am I wasting my time?"
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Belinda Everingham heads up year 12 student welfare and teaches agriculture at college. She said most of the students feel the same.
"It's adding an extra layer to the 'normal' HSC stress," she said "The uncertainty and moving timeframes are adding significant anxiety for the students."
Mater Dei's English department leader Shaun Ellis said until they have more information from the Department of Education, their school is simply focusing on reassuring students and helping them prepare for any outcome.
"There certainly is uncertainty around what will happen we don't know exactly what the HSC exams will look like at the moment, that's dependent on factors outside of our control," Mr Ellis said.
"There are probably students who are finding that uncertainty stressful ... our [focus] is to alleviate that anxiety and stress as much as possible."
Mrs Everingham said an announcement needs be made as soon as possible.
"A decision on the exams should absolutely be prioritised so at least the students have something they're working to and a timeframe they're working within," she said. "With everything else being so unknown, to have something that is a known entity will help."