More than 6000 students across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter have completed their Higher School Certificate exams after a gruelling four-week period. The final exams, including Physics and Food Technology, were held on Friday, November 7.
Newcastle Grammar School student Charlotte Knauer described the Physics exam as having a lot of writing and tricky maths questions. She expressed confidence in achieving a strong ATAR, aiming for 98 to study at UNSW. Her peers Shilpi Salaria, Jack Martin and Molly Boyle finished earlier with English extension on November 4.
Shilpi Salaria plans to study commerce at USYD in 2026 and is celebrating with a trip to Bali. Molly Boyle found the HSC a rollercoaster but felt well-prepared; she will head to Schoolies in Fiji on November 23 with classmates. Jack Martin, also going to Fiji, described the HSC as difficult but not impossible, and will study education at the University of Newcastle in 2026.
Shanuk Wickremaratchy finished his exams on October 27 and has been enjoying free time at home. He hopes to study commerce at USYD. St Mary's Catholic College student Olivia Jenkins ended with Food Technology, feeling happy to have finished smoothly.
With exams over, students can now focus on their next steps. University applications via UAC are due by November 27 for the main offer round, with preferences finalised by December 18 and offers released on December 23.
