Parent and caregiver
high school resources

Parental support for Year 11 students

Year 11 is a big step up from Year 10. This is the first year of the Stage 6 syllabus, the Preliminary HSC year, when students begin their study of the subjects they will sit for the HSC. Year 11 is only three terms, to allow students to begin Year 12 and their formal HSC study in October.

Your teen should expect an increased workload, and they will need to start managing their own time. This can be stressful for young people who have never had this kind of autonomy before, and they will likely need some guidance here. They also have the option of dropping subjects at the end of the year, so be prepared to discuss the pros and cons of this with them.

Parental support for Year 12 students considering a gap year

It’s not uncommon for teenagers to want to take some time out after high school to travel or gain hands-on work experience before returning to formal study. As long as your teen has some plans or goals for their time off, there’s no harm in taking a break from academic endeavours – it can even be beneficial.

Whether you are comfortable with the idea or concerned about the implications, here are some resources to help you support your teen’s decision-making process.

Parental support for Year 12 students considering leaving education

Is your teen coming to the end of Year 12 with no intention of entering tertiary education? That’s perfectly normal – the structure of school doesn’t suit all learning types.

We believe in further education for all, but we recognise that everyone has different learning needs. That’s why we have smaller class sizes, offer short-course options and allow for online, in-person or blended learning.

Don’t feel like your teenager is irrevocably closing doors by not going straight to university. We also provide pathways for people who are past school leaving age to re-enter education, giving your teen options further down the road.