New HSC Study Hub attracts students from 70 schools across NSW

Students from more than 70 secondary schools across New South Wales travelled to the University of Newcastle during the winter school holidays to take part in the HSC Study Hub, a free program designed to help students prepare for HSC examinations and connect with university expertise.

The program attracted 335 registrations and welcomed 190 students to six subject-specific sessions in Mathematics, Enterprise Computing and Software Engineering, highlighting strong demand for free, university-led academic support.

Students and families travelled from Newcastle, the Hunter, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, regional NSW and metropolitan Sydney to attend the sessions, which provided practical exam strategies, subject-specific guidance and direct access to university academics and tutors.

Delivered through a partnership between the School of Computer and Information Sciences and the School of Education, the program aimed to support students preparing for the Higher School Certificate while providing greater access to university expertise.

Associate Professor Elena Levchenko, Acting Head of School, School of Computer and Information Sciences, said the initiative strengthened connections between the University and school communities.

“The HSC Study Hub is much more than an exam preparation program. It connects the University with students, schools and families across the Hunter region and beyond, providing students with early access to university expertise, opportunities and learning environments.”

Participant feedback highlighted the program's impact, with 85 per cent of students reporting a better understanding of how to approach HSC examination questions following the sessions. A further 78 per cent said they felt more prepared for upcoming assessments and examinations, while 94 per cent rated the sessions as effective in supporting their HSC preparation.

The Mathematics sessions proved particularly popular, reaching capacity several weeks before the program commenced.

Beth Preston, Associate Lecturer in the School of Education, said the sessions provided targeted support across a range of mathematics courses.

“The HSC Study Hub provided students studying Standard 2 Mathematics through to Extension 2 Mathematics with opportunities to work through past HSC questions, engage with practice tasks and develop strategies to maximise their examination performance.”

For students studying Enterprise Computing and Software Engineering, the program also addressed the challenges of navigating relatively new HSC syllabuses and online examination formats.

Dr Adrian Tan, Lecturer in the School of Computer and Information Sciences, said students benefited from practical advice tailored to the online exam environment.

“We focused on practical strategies for navigating online exams, managing time effectively and approaching technical questions with confidence.”

Following the success of the winter program, the next round of HSC Study Hub Exam Readiness Intensives has been confirmed for the first week of the September-October school holiday period, from 28 September to 2 October.

To increase accessibility and participation, the program will be delivered through both in-person sessions and online sessions for regional and remote students, providing targeted academic support as students prepare for the HSC.

View more information about the HSC Study Hubs here.

Related news

• New HSC Study Hub attracts students from 70 schools across NSW
• Natural restoration is key to reviving threatened tropical rainforests
• BHP sustainable steelmaking program wins national AFR Higher Education Award
• CSIRO backs next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander STEM talent with $1.5 million scholarship program
• Young innovators explore sustainable housing through SMART eco-house program