Helping hand for HSC success

With Higher School Certificate exams just around the corner, there is still time for Northern Rivers’ students to gain valuable insights into how to do well.

Southern Cross University’s School of Education is hosting the 11th annual Higher School Certificate Study Day for students and teachers on Thursday, June 16, at the Lismore campus.

Around 700 Year 12 students and their teachers are expected to attend the popular event designed to help guide students to success as they prepare for their final exams.

Experts who are experienced in setting and marking Higher School Certificate exam papers present on a wide range of topics giving students and teachers a fantastic insight into HSC expectations.

The presentations highlight those specific topic areas which must be thoroughly prepared for, ensuring teachers and students cover all necessary syllabus requirements.

With high calibre presenters from across New South Wales, the University’s School of Education is supporting the learning success of students across the region with this event.

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. As well, there are teachers presenting who consistently get students in the top 10 per cent of the state, so learning their tips and secrets will be a definite advantage for HSC students and their teachers.

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.

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.

The HSC Study Day is a joint initiative of the University's School of Education, the NSW Department of Education and the Catholic Education Office in Lismore.

This year’s presenters include:

Ancient History: Cassandra Morrison. Head Teacher, Mullumbimby High School; a Judge Marker for the HSC in 2001 and 2002; Marker 2004 with History Extension.

Biology: Gary Winterbottom. Head Teacher Science at Cumberland High School; has taught HSC Biology for 30+ years; experienced HSC Biology Senior Marker; Supervisor of Marking HSC Biology 1999-2000.

Business Studies: Chris Core. HSC Coordinator at Mt St Patrick College, Murwillumbah; has taught HSC Business Studies and Economics for a number of years; HSC marking in Sydney; Premier's teaching Scholarship in 2004 to further study online delivery of Economics.

Chemistry: Graeme Muldoon. Head Teacher Teaching/Learning at Glen Innes High School; 30+ years of teaching experience; 30+ years of teaching HSC classes; 10 years of teaching HSC Chemistry; inaugural winner of the Nation Youth Science Forum Teachers Award in 2001.

Design & Technology: David Ellis. Lecturer in Technology Education at Southern Cross University; Former TAS Head Teacher; has taught HSC Design and Technology for 14 years; HSC marker of Major Design Projects from 2000-2008. Co-author of Cambridge Senior Design & Technology textbook.

Drama: Pauline Cain. Drama teacher at St John's College, Woodlawn; Senior Marker for HSC Drama for ten years; former Head Teacher of Drama, CAPA and English Coordinator in a number of schools; an active member of the Far North Coast Drama Collegiate; past President of Drama NSW.

Economics: Chris Core. HSC Coordinator at Mt St Patrick College, Murwillumbah; has taught HSC Business Studies and Economics for a number of years; HSC marking in Sydney; Premier's teaching Scholarship in 2004 to further study online delivery of Economics.

English and English Extension 2: Jo-Anne Drayton. Head Teacher Hornsby Girls; experienced HSC marker and Senior Marker, Supervisor of Marking 2006-2010; Adviser for HSC Advice Line; speaker for NSW English Teachers Association; writer for the Daily Telegraph HSC series.

HSC General Skills: Graeme Muldoon. Head Teacher Teaching/Learning at Glen Innes High School; 30+ years of teaching experience; 30+ years of teaching HSC classes; Key Note Speaker for 5 years at UNE's HSC Study skills seminar.

History Extension: Cassandra Morrison. Head Teacher, Mullumbimby High School; a Judge Marker for the HSC in 2001 and 2002; Marker 2004 with History Extension.

Legal Studies: Paul Milgate. Xavier Catholic College, Ballina; has taught Senior Legal Studies for 10+ years; consistently has students who are in the top 10 ranking in the HSC.

Mathematics: Colin Holliday. Retired Head Teacher, Mathematics at Forest High School, Sydney; currently a mathematics consultant; Assistant Supervisor Marking for HSC Mathematics for 7 years.

Modern History: Peter Wilcox. Former Head Teacher HSIE Murwillumbah High School; 30+ years experience teaching Modern History to HSC students; participated in HSC marking for the past 10 years, recently focusing on the Core Study responses as a Senior Marker.

Music: Dave Tucker. Head Teacher Bonalbo Central School; President North Coast Region Music Teachers' Association; member Board of Studies Curriculum Committee designing current HSC and School Certificate Music courses; composer; HSC marker.

PDHPE: Janine Perry. Southern Cross University; Lecturer in Health and Physical Education for 8 years; PDHPE teacher for 12 years; taught HSC PDHPE for 8 years; Presenter for ACHPER; HSC Marker for 6 years.

Physics: Dr Stephen Fogwill. Head Teacher Science, Tomaree High School; science teacher 30+ years; Stephen was the Western Sydney facilitator for the implementation of HSC Science courses and has many years of experience as a HSC Physics Senior Marker; Senior Marker of Medical Physics for 5 years.

Retail: Tim Kelly. Lismore Catholic Education Office; Senior Marker for HSC Retail; Retail exam committee for 5 years; syllabus writing team for new HSC Retail; taught Retail since its inception in 1993; Tim’s students have topped the state in HSC Retail.

Visual Arts: Janet Rentz. Has taught Visual Arts for 18 years; Education Manager for the Historic Houses Trust and a group of museums for 14 years; NSW DET VA Consultant K-12 for 9 years; currently lecturing in Art Education at University of NSW and the UTS; Teaching Graphic Design at TAFE; Lecturing at National Arts School; Professional Development in Teacher Training Australia.

Photo: Enjoying the 2009 HSC Study Day at Southern Cross University's Lismore campus are Alstonville High’s Dominic Brawn and Shauna Hurst from St Mary's High School Casino. Media opportunity: Sessions start at 9am on Thursday, June 16, and run until 4.20pm at SCU's Lismore campus. Lunch is from 12.30pm to 1.00pm. The sessions are held in six venues across the campus.