St Mary Star of the Sea student Ava Hamilton is just one of hundreds of Illawarra students beginning their HSC exams this week – here’s how she stays grounded. Photo: Ava Hamilton.
More than 76,000 HSC students in NSW have begun the final exams for the HSC Class of 2024.
Starting with the English Paper at 1 pm on Tuesday (15 October), exams will conclude on 8 November. The exams, which contribute to 50 per cent of students’ HSC mark, are an opportunity for students to demonstrate all they have learnt over their 13-year schooling career.
Students will receive their HSC results and ATARs on Wednesday, 18 December.
Ava Hamilton, of St Mary Star of the Sea College in Wollongong, is one of them.
The teen is undertaking units in religion, standard maths, standard English, legal studies, hospitality and PDHPE.
“I’m not really stressed about exams, I’m just happy to get them over and done with,” she said.
“I have a very relaxed approach to everything, I never stress.”
Ava’s cool, calm and collected attitude has had benefits in other parts of her life.
The teen has volunteered with the NSW SES since January, and hopes to pursue a career in the emergency services after a gap year.
She’s already been to a few emergency callouts, particularly the heavy rain events that have flooded parts of the Illawarra, and said it was important to stay unfazed in emergencies.
“It helps you have a clear mind to think and figure out how to problem-solve,” she said.
“If you’re talking to the community when you’re more relaxed, they become more relaxed as well.”
Ava was inspired to volunteer thanks to her sister, who signed up six years ago.
She said her only regret was not joining earlier – and she’s also added qualifications to her resume while studying for the HSC.
Ava’s ticked off the participate in rescue operations, land search and first aid courses.
“I really enjoyed the participate in rescue operations course, it was really fun,” she said.
“We got to learn how to stabilise a trailer, and the course coordinator jumped in and shook it to make sure we’d stabilised it properly.
“It teaches you a lot: a lot of life skills and problem-solving and determination.
“It’s good for people who learn through doing, and I’d recommend it to other students. I’ll definitely continue to volunteer in my gap year.”
As for how she’s managed the balancing act, laid-back Ava said it was a breeze.
“I always ensure I’ve done my schoolwork before SES stuff, but I always have time,” she said.
As Ava prepares to breeze through the next 19 days of exams, schools, exam staff and the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) are undertaking a huge logistical effort.
NESA chief executive officer Paul Martin said his organisation hoped all students could have an exam experience as positive as Ava’s.
“Our aim is to ensure students have a safe and positive exam experience – so they can show markers all they have learnt when they are in exams,” he said.
“We know this is a big time for families, too – who have been supporting their young adults through the highs and lows of school assessments, exam preparation and the idea that a new life chapter is about to begin.
“My message to students: there are many ways to reach your goals. Be passionate, be curious and feel confident in all that you have learnt over the last 13 years.”
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