The first HSC exam of 2022 was “extremely fair” and “didn’t thrown any curve balls”.

That was the overwhelming verdict of the 161-strong, Year 12 cohort from Homebush Boys High School as they emerged from the first English exam.

That verdict was reflected in the smiling faces and boisterous banter as the lads immediately raced to pick up their mobile phones after the exam.

The Homebush Boys High students were part of around 67,000 NSW students who started their HSC written exams with English Paper 1, including 200 students sitting exams overseas. This year there are 75,493 students studying one or more HSC courses.

Co-school Captain Anargyros Kallos said the exam was a “big challenge but it was also a reflection of what we learnt in the syllabus”.

Vice-captain Sean McGlade said everyone just wanted to get into the exam room and get that first exam out of the way.

“Now that’s done, it’s such a huge relief,” he said

William and Sean both like to listen to classical music before an exam to soothe the nerves and both also have their sights set on doing arts/law at university.

Despite the anxiety and stress that the HSC can trigger, William said he was confident that when he looks back on it “in a decade”, he will have fond memories of his time at Homebush Boys High.

Principal, Kevin Elgood, said he was proud of the Year 12 cohort and praised their resilience in light of COVID disruptions.

“They’ve done exceptionally well,” he said. “We are all part of a community that works together and helps each other and that shows in their comments (after the exam).”

Mr Elgood was also keen to stress that the HSC was not the “be all and end all” when it comes to forging a career and fulfilling life.

“We try to reduce stress of that one exam; there are many pathways to where they want to go, not just the HSC,” he said.

NSW Education Standards Authority CEO Paul Martin said the written exams followed practical, performance and language oral exams which have already been taken by students.

“The HSC written exams are a mammoth operation that will take place over the next 18 days, with a total of 75,000 students involved in more than 400,000 exam sessions,” he said.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the Class of 2022 should be proud of their accomplishments.

“My message to HSC students is to celebrate all that you have already achieved as you approach the finish line of your schooling,” she said.

The HSC written exams will end on 4 November 2022, with students set to receive their results and ATARs on 15 December 2022.