Sunday 4 October 2026
Afternoon EditionRSS
ZOTPAPER

News without the noise

ZOTPAPER
Australia

HSC advice for 'the great middle': Don't do it for me, do it for yourself

Parent and communications consultant Liz Nable urges families to reconsider what they tell average students about the exams

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time1 min
Sources2 outlets
With HSC exams beginning on October 13, one parent is calling on families to rethink the pressure they place on average students. In an opinion piece published in The Sydney Morning Herald and Brisbane Times, communications consultant Liz Nable argues that while a high ATAR matters for students aiming for medicine, law or astrophysics, the message for the 'great middle' of students should be different.

Nable, whose eldest daughter is sitting the HSC this year, draws on 13 years of experience across Catholic, private and public schooling. She says the problem is not fees or facilities but what parents tell average students about the exams.

'If your child wants medicine or law or astrophysics, there's no denying the number they get on December 16 matters,' Nable writes. 'That's not who I'm writing about. I'm writing about everyone else. The great middle, the kids sitting somewhere between the 15th and the 90th percentile...'

The piece, which was cut short in both publications, advises parents to tell their HSC children: 'Don't do it for me, do it for yourself.'

§

Analysis

Why This Matters

  • HSC stress affects a large cohort of students each year, and the focus on ATAR can overshadow other measures of success.
  • The message from parents can shape how students approach exams and their mental health.
  • Nable's perspective comes from a parent who has experienced multiple school systems, offering a broad view.

Background

The HSC (Higher School Certificate) is the main secondary school qualification in New South Wales, with exams typically held in October and November. Results and ATAR scores are released on a single day in December, often creating intense pressure for students and families. While high ATARs are required for competitive courses, most students fall outside that narrow band.

Key Perspectives

Nable (parent and author): Argues that the message to average students should shift from performing for parental approval to internal motivation. Critics: Some may argue that all students, regardless of their goals, need to take the exams seriously as they determine a range of opportunities. Educators: Teachers and school counsellors often advocate for balanced messaging, focusing on effort and wellbeing rather than solely on outcomes.

What to Watch

  • HSC exams begin on October 13, with the first sittings.
  • ATAR release on December 16 will be a key date for families and schools.
  • Any public discussion or policy response about exam stress and the language used around the HSC.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

How we workReport an errorSubscribe