After months of struggling through school in lockdown and having their final papers postponed twice, it's at last time for the class of 2021 to take their seats in the exam room.
Students across NSW, including Goulburn Mulwaree, sat the first paper of their English exam Tuesday morning, November 9, almost a month after originally scheduled.
Goulburn High School student Braxton Thompson was relieved to finally be standing outside the exam hall.
"I'm glad that they're finally here [the exams], however late they are," he said.
"And I'm excited to finally get into it."
He said he'd worked hard and expected it to pay off.
"I just want to get it over with and try my best," said Braxton.
"Thirteen years of schooling have led up to these tests so we're not going to throw them away.
"It was extra study time really. Study, study, study. Just been locking myself away trying to work on everything for the exams, just been going through the entire syllabus again and again and again.
"I can't tell you how many times I've read The Tempest.
"I am pretty happy with that [extra study time] I reckon that we're going to do pretty well and I'm confident that with all this extra time, anyone's that used it wisely, they should smash the tests."
Goulburn High School principal Yogesh Mani said he wished the Year 12 class of 2021 all the very best of luck with the start of the HSC exams today.
"It has been a difficult year for our students," he said.
"But no matter what obstacles they have faced, they have continued to embody the school value of resilience and have worked hard to prepare for the exams.
"The past 13 years of schooling have prepared them for this moment and I am confident they will do well."
Mr Mani described the class of 2021 as "great ambassadors" for the school and "an amazing group of young people".
"I have no doubt they will be the future leaders of our community," he said.
"Congratulations to all our Year 12 students who have made it this far. Everyone here at Goulburn High wishes you all the best not only for your exams, but for your future and all the exciting adventures they hold."
The exams run until December 2, with the last to finish including dance and IT students.
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