So for Orange High School student Rebecca Waters, taking on major works for both industrial arts and textiles was something of a challenge.

“I had two major projects to finish and they were both due [on Monday],” she said.

“It’s been a long time and there’s been a lot of tears involved and a few disasters.”

Year 12 students across the city submitted their major HSC works for marking this week.

For industrial arts, Rebecca produced a five drawer chest from jarrah and new guinea rosewood.

“I wanted to make something I could keep ... being a girl it’s suitable for all the small things I own,” she said.

Rebecca’s classmate Angus Hughes gave up a lot of sleep to complete a traditional tool chest.

“It took a lot of time, a lot of weekends and a lot of nights where I worked all night,” he said.

“I’ll keep doing this as a hobby but I want to do an apprenticeship, maybe in carpentry, or cabinet or furniture making.”

Industrial arts teacher David Boundy said HSC markers were looking for projects that showed the student’s level of skill, from developing the concept, to producing the finished work.

“They’re looking for the level of working skill that the student has put into it, the quality of the job and its relation to their folio, which shows the process of constructing an artefact,” he said.

“They want to see the process of research, time management and the project they have now.”