Education
Union steps in over Sydney academic's sacking to 'defend freedom of speech'
The National Tertiary Education Union has given the Federal Court notice of an appeal against an earlier decision which upheld the sacking of a university lecturer.
- by Anna Patty
Latest
Beginning school heralds a brighter future for Philomina's triplets
One year after arriving in Australia, Philomena fell pregnant with triplets. When they were 18 months old, their father died.
- by Jordan Baker
'My future and my life are there': International students speak of life in limbo
Separated from their partners, studies and new lives in Australia, students from four countries tell of their fears as they beg for certainty on when they could return.
- by Michael Fowler
The 'Kardashian' academics on social media who are influencing school policy
Named after influencer Kim Kardashian, the index was developed to measure the discrepancy between a scientist's social media profile and their publication record. A high index increased the likelihood that they were famous for being famous.
- by Jordan Baker
Exclusive
University
Overseas students dump Australia for Canada and COVID-ravaged Britain
University vice-chancellors and education agents say students in India, Nepal and China are pursuing alternative countries because they would rather risk COVID-19 than study online.
- by Anna Patty
Drone studies, puppetry and cartooning to go in curriculum cleanup
Niche year 9 and 10 electives such as game design, the history of the universe and ideation will also be cut as the government puts the broom through the curriculum.
- by Jordan Baker
The game helping NSW students improve marks and get into uni
Decades of studies found students involved in a new classroom behaviour game did better on tests, were more likely to get into college, and were less likely to smoke or take drugs.
- by Jordan Baker
Regional schools scrambling for staff during summer holidays
Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos said some regional school principals were desperately advertising for staff on social media.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
'Hard to see a safe corridor': NSW shelves plan for return of international students
NSW government plans for the return of 1000 international students each week have been put on hold.
- by Anna Patty
Opinion
Opinion
The epidemic Australia is failing to control
Two decades ago, Australia was one of the leading education nations in the world. Not any more.
- by Pasi Sahlberg
'It was very stressful': Despite months of uncertainty, IB students shine
MLC School in Burwood achieved six perfect scores and Trinity Grammar five in the International Baccalaureate.
- by Jordan Baker
'Intrusive and bulky': Uproar over Sydney Grammar's $54m sports facility
Sydney Grammar School says its new $54.4 million sporting facilities in Rushcutters Bay will be “a polite addition" to the area.
- by Andrew Taylor
Public schools shine in Sydney's north
Mackellar Girls was the state's highest-placed comprehensive public school in the HSC, while nearby Balgowlah Boys was third at 60th.
- by Jordan Baker
‘Other schools catching up’: Why James Ruse’s HSC lead has shrunk
For a quarter of a century it has been the top school in the state. But data shows the rest of the top 150 schools are catching up.
- by Pallavi Singhal
'Nice and hard': Experts review the new selective schools test
Anagrams are out, harder comprehension questions are in, and the thinking skills paper will be difficult to finish for students sitting the new selective school test.
- by Jordan Baker
At barely 15 years old, Beau achieved an ATAR of 90
Fifteen-year-old Beau Chaseling got his HSC before he was allowed to get his driving licence. He now plans to study genetics at university.
- by Jordan Baker
Exclusive
ANU
Scott Morrison should act as international students stay away, says ANU chief
Vice-chancellor Brian Schmidt said governments should be prepared to consider alternatives to hotel quarantine such as on-campus quarantine, or Australia will lose market to friendlier countries.
- by Lisa Visentin
Uni first round offers: ATARs drop for science and engineering, law remains sky high
Science and engineering entrance ranks drop, law remains sky high as students receive their first post-HSC university offers.
- by Jordan Baker
Indonesian school tops private school performance in HSC maths
A focus on maths and science helped a Christian school in Jakarta achieve the second highest ranking in HSC maths performance.
- by Anna Patty
Exclusive
CCP influence
Universities warn foreign interference measures must be 'carefully calibrated'
Universities' awareness of foreign interference risks will be scrutinised by Parliament's powerful intelligence committee next year.
- by Lisa Visentin
HSC performance, student wellbeing went backwards after schools received more autonomy
An evaluation of the Local Schools, Local Decisions policy found pressure on principals has also increased since the government handed schools more power to make their own decisions eight years ago.
- by Jordan Baker
'So nervous': How Baulkham Hills High aced HSC mathematics
The new syllabus for HSC mathematics made all schools jittery. These are the ones that shone in 2020.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos and Nigel Gladstone
The schools that punch above their weight in the HSC
Julina Lim was unwanted by the selective school system. Six years later she has a 99.95 ATAR and has put Cabramatta High on the map.
- by Jordan Baker and Nigel Gladstone
Analysis
Analysis
Instead of gaming the system, let's help schools lift their game
Now that the kids have their HSC results, let's take a look at how we assess our best and brightest schools.
- by Jordan Baker
How a comprehensive school topped the state in HSC English
Killarney Heights High School principal Hayley Emmerton says the secret to success in English is "amazing teachers".
- by Jordan Baker and Nigel Gladstone
Exclusive
Education
Focus on HSC band six results creating a 'perverse incentive', experts say
Education heavyweights have called for more information about HSC results to be released, saying the current public data pushes students into lower-level subjects.
- by Jordan Baker
Hair, makeup and limousine rides: The primary school kids getting their own formal
Students getting glammed up and riding to the school formal in fancy cars is nothing new - except now it’s happening in primary school.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Opinion
Editorial
HSC results mask the true power of education
Band 6 results are not the be-all and end-all of a top-shelf education system.
Deepest cuts: what will university students face next year?
Australia’s universities are set for a tumultuous year with an education expert advising year 12 students to think about deferring their uni studies for a year.
- by Jenna Price
25 years at the top of the HSC: What makes James Ruse special
It’s delivered musicians, a tech billionaire, a star teacher, CEOs and surgeons. So just how did a school built to teach farming turn into an academic fortress?
- by Jordan Baker
HSC, ATAR results LIVE: NSW Year 12 students receive end of year results
About 76,000 students received HSC results at 6am followed by their ATARs at 9am.
- by Pallavi Singhal and Natassia Chrysanthos
‘I’m scared it’ll go away if I say it’: Meet the students who got a 99.95 ATAR
Akina Li trembled with anxiety on Friday as she counted down the minutes and seconds until her ATAR appeared on the screen. She was one of 48 students to receive 99.95 after a tumultuous year.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos, Anna Patty, Pallavi Singhal and Wendy John
Opinion
Opinion
HSC a brutal and irrelevant way to define ‘intelligence’ in a world opening its eyes to other values
On Thursday night, the ATAR was the be-all and end-all for the Class of 2020; by Friday lunch, it was on its way to being forgotten.
- by Malcolm Knox
Graphic content
Education
Eszter topped extension English in the HSC. This is what she wrote
Writing a fictionalised history of lobotomies in the United States set Fort Street High’s Eszter Coombs apart from her peers. This is her English extension 2 entry, entitled The Ice Pick.
- by Eszter Coombs
James Ruse tops HSC for historic 25th consecutive year as public schools dominate top 10
And the Sydney school most affected by COVID-19 shot up 78 places to 25th.
- by Jordan Baker and Nigel Gladstone
HSC 2020: How your school ranked
As students across NSW receive their HSC results, schools will also be eagerly examining their performance.
HSC results 2020: Student honour roll
Find the distinguished achievers among the NSW students who were awarded their HSC in 2020.
‘Pretty good’: After a sleepless night, Flynn wakes to six band sixes
Flynn’s restless thoughts were put at ease at 6am Friday, when about 76,000 students received their Higher School Certificate marks online or through text message.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos and Anna Patty
HSC results: The moment of truth
The moment Flynn Broom, Dux of Patrician Brothers College Blacktown opens his HSC results with his mum nearby.
Opinion
Schools
HSC is a glittering asset and we must protect it
Both joy and heartbreak will be felt today as students get their results. Because of that, great care has been taken to ensure high expectations and common rules for everyone.
- by Tom Alegounarias
‘It feels a bit surreal right now’: The students who came first in every HSC subject
Students who came first in every course in the 2020 HSC have been revealed with Sariena Ye becoming the first in 17 years to top both physics and chemistry.
- by Jordan Baker and Natassia Chrysanthos
Top students talk about their HSC results
After a challenging year, top achieving students reflect on their results and what got them there.
Investigation
Analysis
'Stink from the corpse': WA universities caught in vicious cycle for rankings, research and revenue
Academics are calling for a royal commission into higher education as an obsession with rankings and publishing research overtakes universities' fundamental mission.
- by Aja Styles
Opinion
Sydney
When I found out my HSC result, I felt like throwing up
My heart pounded as I logged on to the UAC website to find out my score. My parents were at work, awaiting my call, expecting good news. I was so afraid as I scrolled down the page. Then I held my breath and braced for impact.
- by Danielle Mahe
Opinion
Opinion
Life's not a competition to be won, it's a journey of highs and lows
The relentless focus on winning in our culture comes with significant costs, particularly for our children.
- by Malcolm Elliott
'Onwards and upwards': Iconic Australian artist's gift for HSC graduating class
Some 68,673 students will be mailed their formal HSC credentials and a piece of artwork by iconic Australian artist Reg Mombassa in the signature style of his Mambo designs.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
Next step in school tutoring blitz is critical for success
The NSW government would have little to lose and much to gain from evaluating its new scheme.
- by Julie Sonnemann
Opinion
Opinion
A visit to my parents offers a glimpse into the past
The finding of an old diary offered a view to long ago friendships and lost loves.
- by Melissa Coburn
Why physics and chemistry are delivering more band 6 HSC results
Neither science course has become easier, rather a change of focus in the curriculum has elevated student results.
- by Jordan Baker and Nigel Gladstone
Opinion
Investigation
Dumb and dumber: language cuts risk Australia's regional relationships
Graduates are going into business, diplomacy, academia, education and science with less knowledge than ever before about our neighbours.
- by Melissa Crouch