HSC students will be allowed to study at school with four of their peers, in the lead-up to the HSC exams which start on 9 November 2021.

From Tuesday, 5 October Year 12 students and those completing HSC exams this year will be able to meet in groups of five at school in a “study bubble”, in line with NSW Health advice.

The HSC study group can comprise of no more than five students from within the same daily scheduled groupings or study sessions. They must be the same five students for the day; and students in a bubble cannot move between or mingle with other study bubbles during the day.

A study bubble is separate from the buddy bubble for students aged under 18, announced last week.

NSW Department of Education’s COVID-19 Taskforce Lead Ruth Owen said the study bubble was in addition to the scheduled on-site individual and small-group support currently available to all NSW HSC students in stay-at-home areas.

“Until the staggered start to face-to-face learning begins on the 18 October, Year 12 students and those sitting HSC exams, even if they’re in lockdown LGAs, will be able to access school sites for up to three hours per day, five days a week for revision, wellbeing support and their peer study bubbles,” Ms Owen said.

“All activities must comply with current Public Health Orders and that will mean the study bubble groups must meet only in outdoor areas, or well-ventilated indoor open spaces such as school halls or libraries.  

“This HSC cohort have had such a challenging time with COVID, we hope this study bubble will help ease some of their anxieties ahead of their exams.

“While at school, HSC students will also be able to access essential curriculum revision, wellbeing support from staff and participate in scheduled, small-group, face-to-face learning with the class teacher.

Schools will continue to provide support for students preparing for the HSC at home.