A starting date has been announced for when year 12 students will take their first HSC exam.
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Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell today announced that the full compliment of exams will go ahead, beginning on November 9.
The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has issued a revised timetable, with 110 exams taking place over 19 days, ending on 3 December.
Students will receive their ATARs on 20 January 2022, with their HSC results released on 24 January.
"Being able to sit all their exams safely is the best and fairest outcome for our HSC students," Ms Mitchell said.
"Whether our students go on to university, vocational training or take on employment, it is important all of them are able to sit their exams and demonstrate what they know.
"I know that teachers, families and friends are supporting our HSC students every step of the way, and that the whole NSW community is wishing them well after a tough 18 months."
Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders hoped the revised dates would not impact on the harvest season too much.
"It was put back and I realise there will be some impact for parts of our region that might be in the middle of harvest from November onwards," he said.
"The reality is there does need to be a timeframe set and it's been set from November 9 and I'm hoping that gives a bit of clarity now for students to be knowing when they will start."
Strict COVID protocols supported by NSW Health will be in place to.
The protocols require exam supervisors to be fully vaccinated and "strongly encourage" eligible HSC students to receive two vaccine doses before exams start.
"We've got public schools, independent schools and catholic schools, such a vast range of schools across the state and across our region that everyone has to come together at one point and that is the HSC," Mr Saunders said.
"There will be support there if there are particular cases where there are concerns from schools or from individual students.
"The department and the minister's office are there to help, but in very simple terms it's been recognised that the best effort had to be made to make sure the HSC goes ahead."
Other safety measures include mandatory face masks for students and staff, indoors and outdoors; check-in and health screening protocols for students and staff; physical distancing between students and staff at all times; minimising mingling of student groups; keeping exam group sizes as small as possible; desks spaced a minimum of 1.5 metres apart and exam rooms well ventilated; hygiene marshals and regular cleaning of exam rooms.
The first exam will be for students' respective English classes.
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