HSC media protocols
Find out about NESA’s media protocols during the HSC and requesting interviews or school visits.
Overview
NESA's priority is the wellbeing of HSC students and school communities. During the exam period, students are focused on showing what they know.
The support of the media is appreciated and where possible requests are fulfilled.
Key high-profile HSC events receive a lot of media coverage, including the:
- first written exam
- First in Course presentation
- results release.
Protocols
Media covering the HSC must follow the protocols for:
School visits and interview requests
Media are asked not to approach students travelling to or from exam venues.
NESA and the school sectors will support media in telling the stories of HSC students including interviews in-person, by telephone and on video.
All interviews must be carried out directly after an exam to limit disruption to students.
Teacher or student interview requests
To request an interview with a teacher or student, email a brief outline of what you would like to discuss, with whom and your deadline to:
- mediaunit@det.nsw.edu.au, for public schools
- the school principal, for independent and Catholic schools.
NESA interview and comment requests
To request an interview with or statement from a NESA spokesperson email a brief outline and your deadline to media@nesa.nsw.edu.au.
Your request will be considered and you will receive a response.
High-profile HSC events
NESA coordinates media for the following HSC exam milestones.
First written exam – English
For this event, NESA media staff will work with schools and accredited media representatives to arrange interviews with students after the English exam.
Video footage and photo opportunities should be discussed with NESA. At no point should media representatives approach students for photos or footage without the approval of NESA.
First in Course Ceremony
For this event, NESA will brief the media prior to the event and provide opportunities for media to interview students and collect video footage or photos.
Under no circumstances will students be available for interviews or photo opportunities before the ceremony.
HSC facts and figures
NESA collects and analyses information about students undertaking their HSC. This provides an overview of key metrics that give a broader understanding of senior school students. You can see:
- an enrolment snapshot
- facts including enrolment, the cohort, exams, results and eligibility
- merit lists for current and previous years.
The HSC reforms have been introduced to help support high school students achieve their best. They include:
- the introduction of a minimum standard of numeracy and literacy to receive an HSC from 2020
- updated syllabuses for Year 11 in 2018 and HSC examination in 2019.
Learn more about the history of the HSC.
Contact
You can contact NESA's media team by email at media@nesa.nsw.edu.au for media enquiries.
For general enquiries see contact us.