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Information gathering

HSC Course Support
Making Decisions
Educational Pathways
Job Options
Other Pathways

The Board of Studies provides information on the rules and procedures for Higher School Certificate candidates on their web site.

It is important for students to be aware of these due dates well in advance. Work towards such tasks is demanding and ongoing over a lengthy period of time. Students need to manage their time so that they dedicate regular work to these projects. The final dates for these projects are available on the Board of Studies site in the Higher School Certificate Events Timeline.

HSC course support

For information on the subjects your child is studying visit the Board of Studies web site.

From here you can download resources such as:

syllabuses which provide information on the courses to be studied and the assessment guidelines specimen examination papers support documents areas of study
lists of resources.

Specifically for parents The Board of Studies web site has a general reference area specifically for parents .

HSC examination timetable The examination timetable is provided to students by their school well before the HSC examination period. It can also be printed from the Board of Studies web site .

It is important to ensure that family holidays are planned for after the examination period. You should also check with the school about when the school examinations are timetabled. Your child may have half-yearly examinations as well as trial HSC examinations. Trial HSC examinations usually occur relatively early in Term 3.

Subjects with important dates A number of HSC subjects require projects, major works and performances that are to be submitted prior to the HSC written examination period. These may be marked internally by the school or externally.

The Board of Studies has developed marking guidelines for those subjects which have projects, major works or performances that are marked externally (and contribute to the HSC examination mark). These guidelines are available on the Board’s web site .

Note
It is important to note that schools will set a school submission date earlier than for submission to the Board. The reason for this is that there are significant procedures to be followed before submission to the Board of Studies.

Subjects that require an earlier examination or submission of work include:

Course
Aboriginal Studies	Major Project	The Major Project is worth 40% of the internal assessment. Students should begin their Major Project in the first term of their HSC year (Term 4, Year 11) and they should be completed by the end of the second term of their HSC year. Parents may refer to the Stage 6 Aboriginal Studies syllabus Course Requirements for more information about the major project and support document.
Agriculture	Optional Research Project (ORP)	Students must either complete the ORP, worth 30% of the course, or study two electives which are examined during the written HSC examination period. Parents may refer to the Agriculture Syllabus HSC External Examination Specifications for more information about the ORP.
Dance	Core and Major Study practical examination	All practical examinations are held in Term 3, usually in August. The components examined are: core and major study performance, core and major study composition and major study dance and technology. Core and Major Study Appreciation components are examined in the main HSC examination period.
Design and Technology	Major Design Project (MDP)	Students develop an MDP, which they may start at the beginning of their HSC course. The MDP contributes 60% of the HSC Assessment component and is assessed by the Board of Studies. Parents may refer to the Stage 6 Design and Technology syllabus HSC External Examination Specifications for more information about the MDP.
Drama	Practical examination	All students have a practical examination commencing in August or September for Group Performance. During this time individual project performance is also examined. Submitted projects are due around this time as well. Refer to the Board of Studies for the latest information on dates for HSC examinations.
English Extension 2	Major Work	English Extension 2 (only completed in the HSC year) requires a Major Work which is detailed in the Major Work Module of the English syllabus . Components of the internal assessment tasks are: a proposal, viva voce and a report. The Major Work product is assessed externally. A Major Work Journal must also be submitted with the Major Work. Refer to the Board of Studies for the submission date.
Industrial Technology	Major Project	Students develop a Major Project which they may start at the beginning of their HSC Course. The Major Project contributes 60% of the HSC Assessment component and is assessed by the Board of Studies. Parents may refer to the Stage 6 Industrial Technology syllabus HSC External Examination Specifications for more information about the Major Project.
Languages	Speaking and listening examinations	Most HSC examinations for languages include speaking and listening components as part of the external statewide examinations. All speaking examinations are held prior to the main HSC examination period, usually at the end of Term 3.
Languages: Background speakers		There is no external statewide speaking examination. The listening examination is part of the written examination and is held in the main HSC examination period. The Board of Studies has further information.
Languages: Beginners		Speaking examinations are held prior to the main HSC examination period. Listening examinations are part of the written examination held during the main HSC examination period. The Board of Studies has further information.
Languages: Continuers		Speaking examinations are held prior to the main examination period. Listening examinations are part of the written examination held during the main HSC examination period. The Board of Studies has further information.
Languages Extension		Speaking examinations are held prior to the main examination period. There is no external statewide listening examination. The Board of Studies has further information.
Music 1, Music 2, Music Extension	Practical examinations & submitted works	Practical examinations for all three music courses are held towards the end of Term 3. In addition, submitted works (compositions and musicology essays) are due before the end of Term 3. The Board of Studies has information on submission dates.
Society and Culture	Personal Interest Project (PIP)	The Personal Interest Project (PIP) is worth 30% of the total HSC course mark. It is externally assessed and it is submitted to the Board of Studies in Term 3. The process of the project may be included in the school's internal assessment program. Parents may refer to the Stage 6 Society and Culture Syllabus for more information about the project.
Textiles and Design	Major Textiles Project (MTP)	Students develop a Major Textiles Project which they may start at the beginning of their HSC course. The Major Project contributes 50% of the HSC Assessment component and is assessed by the Board of Studies. Parents may refer to the Stage 6 Textiles and Design syllabus HSC External Examination Specifications for more information about the Major Textiles Project and Board submission dates.
Visual Arts	Artmaking component: Body of Work	Students are required to submit a body of work in one or more of the expressive forms (drawing, painting, printmaking, graphic design, photography, digital media, sculpture, ceramics, textile and fibre, designed objects and environments, film, video, digital animation, documented forms, performance works and interactives). The body of work is worth 50% of the total HSC Course mark. It is externally assessed and it is submitted to the Board of Studies by early September. Refer to the Board of Studies for further information on submission dates. The development of the body of work is included in the school's internal assessment program. Parents can refer to the Stage 6 Visual Arts.

Information package for students An Information Package for students is distributed to HSC students each year in their schools and colleges. The information includes:

the types of courses available
their unit value
requirements for the award of the HSC
assessment and reporting.

Making decisions

Making decisions for after the HSC can be either an exciting or a daunting experience. While some students have strong ideas about what they would like to do, others have only a general feeling about their direction, and some have little idea at all, something that parents can find extremely frustrating.

Parents and caregivers often feel isolated from their teenage children when it comes to career choices and all the options of post compulsory education that are available. You may feel as though there is no information that directly relates to parents and guardians and the access to the information that is around is limited. Fortunately that is not the case and it is important for all parents and caregivers to be actively involved in the decisions that face their children and to help guide the children through the maze of choices that are available to them.

Beyond the HSC In the Beyond the HSC node of this web site you will find a wealth of resources to help you assist your child in making decisions for the future.

School careers adviser All government schools have careers advisers who are valuable contact people for both students and parents. They can assist with the selection of HSC courses, entry requirements for tertiary studies, employment prospects, work experience and innumerable other aspects that can help a student make the transition from school to further education, training and employment. It is well worthwhile making contact with the careers adviser in your child’s school.

Careers expos Careers expos are held each year in various areas. Students in Years 10 to 12 are encouraged to attend. The school careers adviser usually publishes information regarding relevant dates and venues. Many of these expos are adopting more of an interactive industry focus with presentations and workshops rather than just supplying information about university study. Representatives from industry, further education and training providers are available to answer students’ questions and assist them with their choices. Encourage your child to take advantage of the opportunity to explore career options.

Open days Universities, colleges of TAFE and private providers of tertiary education hold open or information days at different stages during the year. Open days give prospective students and their parents opportunities to speak to relevant members of the institution and see for themselves the facilities and opportunities which the institution offers.

The dates of the open days are generally advertised in the press and are usually on the web sites of the various institutions . The University Admissions Centre (UAC) also provides links to a range of institutions.

Note There are many different pathways to future careers. Encourage your child to investigate those that best suit her or his needs, interests and abilities.

Educational pathways

Educational pathways may be undertaken through a range of institutions.

University If your child is considering further study at a university there is plenty of online information available.

All universities maintain their own web sites and offer a wealth of important information for prospective students.
University handbooks online for a number of universities are available from the Macquarie University web site.

TAFE NSW Another major option for most school leavers is to go to TAFE which provides a broad range of courses and career options.

TAFE courses are all very practical and focus heavily on students learning specific industry-related skills that will enhance their job prospects once completed. Students can also articulate into a relevant university course once they finish TAFE, often receiving credit for the courses they have completed.

The TAFE Learning Gateway is also a valuable site providing access to web-based information and resources relating to the hundreds of vocational areas covered by TAFE NSW courses and programs. Many HSC courses provide significant credit transfer into TAFE courses. Information is available from the web site HSC/TAFE Credit Transfer or from your school’s careers adviser.

Apprenticeships or traineeships The New Apprenticeships web site can provide you with information on the New Apprenticeship Scheme.

Private providers Private providers of education offer a wide variety of courses to suit individual interests. The Australian Council for Private Education and Training can provide further information.

Finance Finance can be a significant issue for students wishing to continue their education. You may find it helpful to identify possible means of financing courses and living expenses.

Beyond the HSC will lead you to a number of helpful sites.

Job options

There are a number of sites that can assist students who wish to join the work force after school. Beyond the HSC and the Australian Careers Information Service both have information and links to relevant sites.

Other pathways

Government and private initiatives have led to the creation of a wealth of additional information on sites that cater for tertiary education or employment options. The sites listed below may be well worth a visit.

DETYA Commonwealth Department of Education Training and Youth Affairs This site offers a range of links including
- Careers directory
- Higher education information
- Indigenous school to work transition
The Defence Forces
Education networks