HSC help for students and teachers

With HSC exams just a few months away, the 10th annual Higher School Certificate Study Day for students and teachers is being held at Southern Cross University on Thursday, June 17.

The popular event brings over 1,000 students and their teachers from all over the region to the Lismore campus to participate in information sessions designed to provide the skills and knowledge needed to get through the HSC.

Students come from schools right across the region - from the Tweed area south to Lismore, Grafton and Coffs Harbour and across to Tenterfield in the west.

Teachers get an insight into what the examiners want the students to know, past exam questions and core knowledge requirements students must have before they sit the exam.

Students get an insight into what to expect during their exam period; the material they need to have covered; what examiners look for in answers; and how to cope with stress. They also get the benefit of a teacher who may have had up to 40 years of experience in their subject.

Session presenters are chosen because of their expertise and their recent relevant HSC experience. Many are award-winning teachers in their specialist subjects or have been HSC markers in the past.

There are also teachers presenting who consistently get students in the top 10 percent of the state, so learning their tips and secrets will be a definite advantage for HSC students and their teachers.

This year’s program has been prepared taking into consideration feedback from students and teachers who attended previous days.

The specific benefit of the day is that it will enhance the knowledge, skills and confidence of students and teachers at this important stage in their preparation for the 2010 HSC, said HSC Study Day coordinator Marilyn Chaseling.

This year’s presenters include:
Ancient History: Desiree Moore, head teacher, HSIE, Tweed River High School; 26 years’ experience teaching Ancient History and six years’ experience teaching Extension History; HSC marker.

Modern History and History Extension: David Schein, head teacher, History, Alstonville High School; has taught HSC Modern History and History Extension for many years; HSC marker.

Biology: Gary Winterbottom, head teacher, Science, Cumberland High School; has taught HSC Biology for 30 years; HSC senior marker.

Physics: Stephen Fogwill, head teacher, Science, Tomaree High School; science teacher 30 years; HSC senior marker.

Chemistry (and General HSC Skills): Graeme Muldoon, head teacher, Science, Glen Innes High School; 30 years’ HSC teaching experience.

English: Patrick McGing, deputy principal, St.Clare's College, Waverley; teacher and HSC senior marker for many years; adviser for HSC Advice Line for last 10 years; regular speaker for NSW English Teachers' Association; writer for the Daily Telegraph HSC series.

English Extension 2: Leonie Huggins, head teacher, English, Wollumbin High School; 30 years’ teaching experience; HSC senior marker.

Mathematics: Colin Holliday, retired head teacher, Mathematics, Forest High School, Sydney; currently a mathematics consultant; HSC marker.

Economics and Business Studies: Chris Core, HSC coordinator, Mt St Patrick College, Murwillumbah; has taught HSC Business Studies and Economics for a number of years; HSC marker.

Hospitality: Yvette Kennedy, hospitality teacher, De La Salle College, Cronulla; 18 years’ teaching experience; 16 years’ HSC marking experience; HSC senior marker.

Retail: Tim Kelly, Lismore Catholic Education Office; HSC senior marker and syllabus writer; 17 years’ teaching experience; Tim’s students have topped the state in HSC Retail.

Legal Studies: Paul Milgate, Xavier Catholic College, Ballina; 10 years’ teaching experience; consistently has students who are in the top 10 HSC ranking.

PDHPE: Janine Perry, Southern Cross University lecturer, Health and Physical Education for eight years; PDHPE teacher for 11 years; HSC marker.

Visual Arts: Janet Rentz, 18 years’ teaching experience; NSW DET VA Consultant K-12 for nine years; lectures at UTS, UNSW and National Arts School; teaches Graphic Design at TAFE.

Music: Dave Tucker, head teacher, Bonalbo Central School; president North Coast Region Music Teachers' Association; member Board of Studies Curriculum Committee designing current HSC Music course; composer; HSC marker.

Photo: Enjoying HSC Study Day last year are(from left): Helene Collard (SCU student ambassador), Finbar Walton (Murwillumbah High), Jessica Edwards (Richmond River High), Pat Hayes (St John’s College Woodlawn), Sherelle Piggott (Richmond River), Sara Vidler (Richmond River) and Josiah Hoyle (SCU student ambassador).