NSW: Countdown over for 2007 crop of HSC students

AAP General News (Australia)
12-19-2007
NSW: Countdown over for 2007 crop of HSC students

SYDNEY, Dec 18 AAP - The nervous wait is over for 67,000 NSW Higher School Certificate
students who find out their results today.

After two years of hard work and 13 years at school, the state's 67,189 HSC students
began receiving their results online, or via text or phone, from 6am (AEDT).

Office of the Board of Studies general manager John Bennett said about 26,000 students
had received their results by 7am (AEDT).

About 12,640 had pre-registered for the text message, and 12,500 had logged online,
Dr Bennett said.

While many students will be happy with their results, Dr Bennett acknowledged some
may be disappointed.

But a bad result was not the end of the world, he said.

"What students need to realise is that the Higher School Certificate today is very
important but it's not the end of the world if you don't do as well as you might have
expected," he told ABC Radio.

"There are many ways forward for them today, and students need to seek advice and think
about their options.

"There are many ways of coming back on track later on if they want."

Dr Bennett said students with inquiries about their results can contact the HSC Examination
Inquiry Centre on 13 11 12 or at www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au.

Careers Advisory Services also are being offered on 1300 300 687.

NSW Business Chamber senior manager Kathy Rankin offered hope for students who may
not have done as well as they expected, saying everybody has a unique set of skills and
capabilities which aren't always measured by examinations like the HSC.

"Rather than just measuring your success against what mark you got, then look at those
skills and capabilities, find out and recognise what you enjoy doing and then find the
best way to progress into that employment," Ms Rankin said.

"Record lows of unemployment mean that the onus is on the employer to make their industry
appealing to school leavers."

AAP ab/was/jt/jlw

KEYWORD: HSC DAYLEAD

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.