Pencils down - the last HSC written exams have just wrapped up, and students across NSW have a moment to breath as they wait for results to roll in.
At St Columba's Catholic College in Springwood, students finished their physics exam on Thursday, November 7, one of the last tests left on the timetable.
Students shared different thoughts and feelings as they left the exam room, but one sentiment was universal - relief.
"I thought [the exam] was good. It could've been better, I feel, but it could have been a lot worse," said physics student Marlowe Carey.
I feel very relieved, a lot of stress has just left now, so it's quite nice.
For student Jessica Nguyen the exam marks the start of a holiday, as she prepares for a trip to Japan to be followed by Schoolies with her friends.
"I feel very free, I can do whatever I want, and also excited," Jessica said.
Others are already starting their next challenge, such as student Lucy Hall who said: "I'm going overseas, I've got an internship... in preparation for uni."
The last written exam (for geography) was held on Friday, November 8. The next step will be the release of HSC Assessment Ranks, which will be available to students on Students Online for four weeks.
Each year more than 700,000 exam papers are printed for the HSC. Last year, more than 68,000 students completed their HSC.
Results for the 2024 HSC will be released on Wednesday, December 18.
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15 Aug 2025
From Facebook
Big thanks to Year 9 students Reuben and Euan for helping Mr Born with the rocket launch on Wednesday as part of the College's celebration of Science Week. Euan and Reuben are involved in the College Engineering Club and worked on the design and development of rockets as one of their many projects. #engineering #scienceweek #rocket![1079941253928892_2887497048115024-1]()
14 Aug 2025
From Facebook
What a night! Last night, St Columba’s proudly hosted our Inaugural Academic Showcase Evening and it was a huge success! With 77 students sharing their incredible work from Semester 1, the evening was a true celebration of learning, creativity, and passion. From learning how to fish to exploring what makes horror films so scary, and even uncovering the secrets to the perfect cupcake – there was something for everyone. Art, music, science, English, history – every subject came to life through our students’ hard work and curiosity. A massive well done to all involved – your pride and enthusiasm were truly inspiring. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
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15 Aug 2025
From Facebook
Big thanks to Year 9 students Reuben and Euan for helping Mr Born with the rocket launch on Wednesday as part of the College's celebration of Science Week. Euan and Reuben are involved in the College Engineering Club and worked on the design and development of rockets as one of their many projects. #engineering #scienceweek #rocket
14 Aug 2025
From Facebook
What a night! Last night, St Columba’s proudly hosted our Inaugural Academic Showcase Evening and it was a huge success! With 77 students sharing their incredible work from Semester 1, the evening was a true celebration of learning, creativity, and passion. From learning how to fish to exploring what makes horror films so scary, and even uncovering the secrets to the perfect cupcake – there was something for everyone. Art, music, science, English, history – every subject came to life through our students’ hard work and curiosity. A massive well done to all involved – your pride and enthusiasm were truly inspiring. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
12 Aug 2025
From Facebook
Join us as we showcase this year's HSC Major Works and celebrate the incredible work of our Year 12 students. Over two evenings the College will display Major Works from Visual Arts, Drama, Textiles and Design, Design and Technology, Industrial Technology, Music, English Extension 2, Society and Culture, and Science Extension. The broad range of works are truly remarkable! Don't miss your opportunity to be inspired by what our passionate students have created.
06 Aug 2025
From Facebook
Third time’s a charm! We’re thrilled to announce St Columba’s Astronomy Night is back - and this time the skies are looking good! Join us at 7pm on Thursday 28 August for an unforgettable evening of stargazing and space exploration. We’ve partnered with passionate professors and students from @macquarieuni Astronomy and Astrophysics team to help you unlock the mysteries of the universe. So rug up, bring the family, and let’s make this long-awaited night one to remember. Please register your attendance on the link in our bio so we can best prepare for the night! ✨ Telescopes. Experts. The wonders of the cosmos. Don’t miss it! #astronomy #astrophysics #bluemountains @catholicschoolsparra
06 Aug 2025
From Facebook
Third time's a charm! We’re thrilled to announce St Columba’s Astronomy Night is back - and this time the skies are looking good! Join us at 7pm on Thursday 28 August for an unforgettable evening of stargazing and space exploration. We’ve partnered with passionate professors and students from Macquarie University's Astronomy and Astrophysics team to help you unlock the mysteries of the universe. So rug up, bring the family, and let’s make this long-awaited night one to remember. Please register your attendance on this google form so that we can best prepare for the night! https://forms.gle/2eWkTwmmkZe1EJ9b9 ✨ Telescopes. Experts. The wonders of the cosmos. Don’t miss it! Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
05 Aug 2025
From Facebook
Once complete, the College's new Creative Hub will provide students with purpose-built learning spaces full of natural light, featuring views over the beautiful Blue Mountains bushland. This photo shows how the valley beyond the building has been integrated into the Creative Hub, bringing nature into the classrooms.
05 Aug 2025
From Facebook
Congratulations to Owen (Y10), Orana (Y11), Phoenix (Y11), and Gabriel (Y11), on being named finalists in the inaugural Alchemy Photography Competition! Their incredible work was featured in an exhibition showcasing 64 student pieces from across the Parramatta Diocese - a true celebration of creativity and talent. It was a proud moment for students and families alike, including Phoenix’s older brother and former St Columba's Catholic College Captain, Sebastian, who joined in the celebrations. Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese
31 Jul 2025
From Facebook
We had another great session of The Feed at the College yesterday! We were joined by Lisa Hughes from Environmental Health Australia and Penrith City Council, who spoke with students about the rewarding and often overlooked career of Environmental Health. Lisa was accompanied by Spencer and Ayusha, trainee Environmental Health Officers currently studying at Western Sydney University. It was a fascinating insight into the vital work they do to keep our communities safe and healthy.
29 Jul 2025
From Facebook
ARE YOU LOOKING TO MAKE THE CHANGE FOR YEAR 11, 2026? St Columba's Catholic College is pleased to offer a limited number of places for enrolment into Year 11 2026. Student subject selections are taking place now. To find out more about joining the St Columba's community for Years 11 and 12, click to link in our bio. At St Columba's we strive to empower students to fulfil their potential and realise their dreams. Come and visit us today and see what we can offer your family.
29 Jul 2025
From Facebook
We were delighted to welcome Lily O’Toole from Charles Sturt University to the College on Monday as part of The Feed — our lunchtime careers talk series. Lily shared insights into student life at CSU and the many advantages of studying in beautiful regional Australia. Students were especially keen to learn more about courses in Agriculture, Paramedicine, and Physiotherapy — some of the standout offerings at CSU. A big thank you to Lily for inspiring our students and answering their many great questions!
28 Jul 2025
From Facebook
On Tuesday 22 July, St Columba’s Catholic College had five students compete at the NSW All-Schools Cross Country Championships. Well done Alex (Y7), Darcy (Y9), Odin (Y9), Keeden (Y10), and Joshua (Y11) on this outstanding sporting achievement. On the day, Keeden finished first in the Under 16s and will be progressing to the National All Schools event held in Queensland this September. Keeden has also qualified to compete at the Athletics Australia National Cross Country Championships with the NSW team. This is being held in Ballarat on 23-24 August.
24 Jul 2025
From Facebook
Congratulations to Taylah in Year 12! During the school holidays, Taylah represented our community with pride and purpose at the 2025 NSW Youth Parliament, serving as the Member for the Blue Mountains and Minister for Women’s Affairs. During the week she also had the opportunity to connect with former College Captain, Claudia Wedesweiler. Her dedication, leadership and advocacy didn’t go unnoticed — Taylah was named Youth Parliamentarian of the Year! What an outstanding achievement and a true testament to her passion and hard work. We couldn’t be prouder! #NSWyouthparliament Susan Templeman MP Trish Doyle MP