Despite a tough year with the shadow of Covid-19 hanging over the state including the current lockdown as well as date changes, thousands of year 12 students will soon be sitting the Higher School Certificate exams.
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Along with the HSC exams and major projects being delayed, students at Parkes High School have also had to contend with disruptions to their trial exams.
Parkes High like many other schools in the state were halfway through their written trial exams before the second week of exams were postponed.
Parkes High School's Justine Morrissey said the HSC year had been going well but this latest disruption has happened at an important time in their HSC journey.
"Trials are an important exercise for all HSC students as it is the first time they get to experience preparing for and sitting up to 3 hour exams.
"They will now have to wait to see how long the Stay at Home NSW Public Health Order will be in place," Ms Morrissey said.
"Last year in their preliminary year had many disruptions and it did effect study patterns and motivation."
For year 12 student Zac Redfern the postponed trials may be annoying, it has given him the chance to brush up on notes and study some more.
He said that while they have more time to study for the exams, it is made a lot more difficult due to the fact that they are unable to have face-to-face interactions that going into the school would give.
Year 12 student Libby Hoyle said that it has been a bit strange to move back to online learning, though the pivot was quite fast due to the school's experience's last year.
Ms Morrissey said that learning from home for their seniors was a smooth transition due to all students being familiar with the online platforms.
With this switch back to online learning, Libby said that a lot of study can go ahead like normal, but it does make it harder to stay motivated.
With more time to study due to the postponements, Libby said the she has been studying at a slower rate.
Although the online learning is providing the students with the chance to study and interact with their teachers, Libby said this format does make it more difficult for some subjects such as music where students have to perform and record a music composition.
For Libby, some of the HSC pressure has been eased by an early entry offer from Australian National University to study arts and social sciences.
Some of the HSC pressure has also been eased for Zac as he has a clear goal of studying dentistry at university next year.
"Our students have had to be so resilient and flexible and we are very proud of them," Ms Morrissey said.
Parkes High School Principal Sandra Carter said Year 12 Student Advisor, Mr Chris Dumaine and other staff are utilising a variety of online platforms to ensure continuity of learning and supporting students with their wellbeing.
"I am very proud of the positive manner in which our Year 12 students have adapted to the change in circumstances brought on by these Stay At Home Orders and the resilience they are showing in continuing to study for their HSC," Ms Carter said.
Along with supporting students' learning, Ms Morrissey said that it is vitally important that they are dedicated not only to helping the students academically but also be there to support and check on student wellbeing.
Ms Morrissey wanted to remind students that everyone in the state are in the same position and to try not to worry too much.
"The Education Department will make sure that this will not effect the students getting where they want to go post school."
This year's HSC is set to kick off with written examinations on Tuesday, October 19 Key dates and deadlines are subject to change due to changing Covid-19 regulations.
