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Media protocols

Each year the HSC generates broad public interest and support. Key HSC events such as the first written exam, First in Course and results release are high profile and receive substantial media interest and coverage.

BOSTES appreciates the media’s support throughout the HSC campaign and works to accommodate the media’s needs wherever possible.

However, at all times, the top priorities of BOSTES and the school sectors are to support students to do their best and to protect the integrity of the exam process.

Media covering the HSC are required to follow the protocols below to protect student wellbeing and minimise student stress.

1. School visits and interview requests

Under no circumstances will school visits or interview requests be authorised directly before an exam. Media are asked to not approach students travelling to exams.

School and exam centre visits

Prior permission is required for any media to visit any school at any time. Media representatives who visit a school without authorisation will be refused entry.

To request permission to visit:

a public school, email the Department of Education Media Unit at mediaunit@det.nsw.edu.au
an independent or Catholic school, contact the principal.

Interview requests

To request an interview with a teacher or student, email a brief outline of what you would like to discuss, with whom and your deadline to:

the Department of Education Media Unit at mediaunit@det.nsw.edu.au, for public schools
the school principal, for independent and Catholic schools.

To request an interview with an HSC syllabus or exam expert, email a brief outline of what you would like to discuss, with whom and your deadline to media@bostes.nsw.edu.au.

Your request will be considered and responded to in a timely manner.

2. HSC exam papers

Accredited media outlets may pre-order a copy of a 2015 HSC exam paper for collection two hours after the exam finishes.

Access is provided according to the following terms and conditions:

Accredited media outlets may reproduce exam questions exactly as they appear in the paper with attribution to BOSTES
For some questions, copyright is held by a third party and may not be reproduced without the third party’s permission. To identify if material requires third-party copyright permission, contact BOSTES Media on 9367 8248.

To order a copy of a 2015 HSC exam paper, phone BOSTES Media on 9367 8248 before the exam.

You may collect your copy two hours after the exam finishes from:
BOSTES Reception
Level 4, 117 Clarence St
Sydney NSW 2000

View past HSC papers.

3. High profile HSC events

BOSTES coordinates media access to the scheduled events below. Access will be restricted to accredited media representatives. BOSTES will liaise with the media prior to each event to arrange accreditation and briefing.

At the events, the media will be accompanied by BOSTES and/or Department of Education staff and will need to comply with all directions given.

First written exam: English – Monday 12 October 2015

A small number of exam centres at government schools will be available for accredited media to visit and interview selected students on Monday 12 October at 12.30 pm.

First in Course ceremony – Tuesday 15 December 2015

The media will be invited to attend the First in Course ceremony to film the presentation on Tuesday 15 December 2015 at 11 am. Selected students will be available for interviews and limited photo opportunities after the presentation.

Under no circumstances will students be available for interviews or photo opportunities before the ceremony. The media will be required to register on arrival and may only access media-authorised areas.

The HSC fact sheet is available.

View HSC statistics.