Southern Cross University's HSC Day helps ease study stress

Year 12 students preparing for this year's Higher School Certificate will get a helping hand at Southern Cross University's annual HSC Day at the Lismore campus on Thursday, June 23.

Up to 1000 HSC students and more than 100 teachers from Port Macquarie north to the border, and west to Glen Innes and Tenterfield, are expected at the HSC day, which is now in its fifth year.

The HSC Day, a joint initiative of Southern Cross University and the Department of Education and Catholic Education, is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills and confidence of students and teachers preparing for the 2005 NSW Higher School Certificate.

It will be held from 9am to 5pm and will include HSC exam preparation techniques and information on subjects including ancient history, biology, business studies, chemistry, English, mathematics, music, physics and visual arts.

HSC Day co-ordinator Marilyn Chaseling said this year's event had been expanded to include more subjects and more sessions.

"Studying for your HSC is a particularly stressful experience for most students and that pressure is also felt by teachers who are keen to ensure that they are adequately equipped to give their students the best possible guidance," Ms Chaseling said.

"What we hope to provide to students is the confidence that while the HSC is tough, it is not impossible to achieve results consistent with the effort put in.

"Teachers also feel under pressure at this time as they strive to ensure that they are providing the right information to their students. These sessions can give them that extra confidence they need.

"Presenters have been chosen because they are the recognised experts in New South Wales their subject area. All have been HSC markers or senior markers, many have been on Board of Studies Syllabus Committees, and all have students who consistently gain high HSC results in their subject area. For example, Tim Kelly, the presenter for Retail, has had five students who have topped the state in HSC Retail."

Presenters include: Stephen Fogwill, Western Sydney facilitator for the implementation of HSC Science courses and writer for STANSW HSC physics trial papers; Hornsby Girls High School English teacher Jo-Anne Drayton who is a senior marker and advisor for the HSC Advice Line; experienced senior science teacher and HSC marker Harry Docking; Byron Bay biology teacher and HSC biology question setter and marker Shirley Graham; and Donna McLaren, who was on the first hospitality syllabus committee and who has been a senior marker in hospitality since its inception.
Graeme Muldoon, head science teacher at Glen Innes High School, who has presented over 50 study skills sessions to students in Northern NSW schools, will also present.

Lee MacMaster, Dean of Studies at Trinity Catholic College, Lismore and currently HSC Examiner for the Board of Studies, will also be presenting an invaluable session entitled "From Guidelines to Marks to UAI."

Ms Chaseling said more than 700 students attended the day last year, with some students coming from as far as Port Macquarie, Glen Innes and Tweed Heads.

"Student evaluations indicate that 86% of attendees felt that the day was effective in assisting them to prepare for the HSC."

Ms Chaseling said the cost was $20 for students and they could attend up to seven separate sessions on the day. Any students interested in attending should contact their Career Adviser or Year 12 Adviser for further information.