HSC training hub sees 'teachers teaching teachers'

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta

(From l to r) English teachers Tash Prunicki from St John Paul II Catholic College Schofields & Nirimba Fields and Bree O’Neill from Xavier College Llandilo at the HSC English marking simulation centre.

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP) HSC English teachers got some exam practice of their own during a mock HSC marking exercise in Mount Druitt. The chance to put their skills to the test was described by participants as “one of the best professional learning days ever.”

Recently, 68 teachers from almost every CEDP secondary school across Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains met to take part in the simulated HSC English marking centre. The day was led by CEDP’s Teacher Educators and experienced senior English teachers who provided a highly sought-after experience of how HSC English papers are marked. For many of the participants, this was their first opportunity to compare their own marking to the standard used in HSC marking.

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta

“Rich collaboration about teaching and learning”

Marty Pender, an early career English teacher from Patrician Brothers College Blacktown, said it was so valuable to get an external perspective on his marking,

“Today has really tested my thinking,” Marty said. “I am keen to build up my skills in HSC marking. I can now see the different ways that teachers look at the papers they mark.”

Tash Prudnecki from John Paul II College Schofields agreed. ‘I’m teaching HSC Year 11 and Year 12 English for the first time this year.” Tash explained. “I am getting so much out of today by hearing the perspectives of other teachers on what good marking looks like.”

For Bree O’Neill from Xavier College Llandilo, the best part of the day had been hearing from other people about marking essay writing. ‘It’s been really good to learn what HSC markers are looking for - I haven't had that experience before. I would love to be a HSC marker myself.”

One of the organisers of the day, CEDP Teacher Educator Natalie Russell, said this was about teachers learning from each other. “The professional conversations have been wonderful, Natalie said. “It has been a great networking day too.”

Fellow Teacher Educator Emma Detling believes that it creates a more level playing field for students. “For me, it’s an equity and a justice issue. No matter what school the students attend, they should receive the same standard of marking. It breaks the idea of HSC marking being ‘secret marking centre business’.”

CEDP Director Learning Maura Manning said that the day was important for many reasons. “We have not had this opportunity to come together as English teachers for more than two years. “ Maura said, reflecting on the impact of COVID-19. “ We are a large Diocese and our teachers have had a diverse range of experiences. The day has been about sharing these experiences with each other.”

“We have many professional learning days where outside experts lead the teacher learning, telling teachers what they should do or how they should think. Today has been teachers teaching other teachers, enabled by our teaching educators.”

Maura also believes that this model of professional learning with its rich collaboration about teaching and learning can be used for other subjects as well as English.

Written By

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
www.parra.catholic.edu.au

09 Jun 2026
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