A snapshot of this year’s HSC subject data shows 7730 students are studying physics – almost 2000 fewer students than a decade ago – as biology,business studies and personal development,health and physical education (PDHPE) enrolments climb to near 10-year highs.
Year 12 physics student Chelsea Leung from Brigidine College plans to study biomedical engineering at university.Louise Kennerley
Physics enrolments fell after a new syllabus was introduced in 2018,as the course became more mathematical,shifted to traditional physics and focused more on areas like quantum mechanics and astrophysics. Students are also selecting other science subjects such as earth and environmental sciences and science extension.
Simon Crook,a physics education expert and consultant,said students are choosing easier subjects due to the difficulty of achieving a band 6 in physics and chemistry. “And when you have low staff morale and teacher shortages that exacerbates the problem,” he said.
There are dwindling numbers studying maths at the highest levels,.
Of this year’s physics students,22 per cent are girls. In chemistry and biology the proportion of girls studying the subjects has risen slightly,with 48 per cent and 65 per cent respectively.
Data from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) data reveals biology enrolments continue to surge:19,173 students opted to take the subject this year,up 14.5 per cent from ten years ago. Business studies increased by 18 per cent and PDHPE enrolments have grown 20 per cent.
Meanwhile,enrolments in modern history and economics have flatlined,while ancient history has taken the biggest hit with 6530 enrolled this year – almost half the number enrolled in 2012.
NSW Science Teachers Association vice president Lauren McKnight said the 20 per cent drop in physics over ten years is concerning,but she welcomed the growth in biology,investigating science and science extension.
“Students turning away from academically difficult subjects such as chemistry and physics possibly reflects more on the nature of the exams,student workloads,and the overt focus on band performance,” she said.
NSW History Teachers’ Association Jonathon Dallimore said the addition of many new HSC subjects over the years means students now have more options. “One reason that students have maintained their interest in modern history is the content – the crisis of democracy,dictatorships,modern conflicts.
“This is all so clearly connected to current events giving it a sense of real immediacy,whereas on the surface ancient history can appear to some students as more detached from the news cycle.”
HSC student Chelsea Leung from Brigidine College in Randwick,one of five physics students in her year,attributes her curiosity and interest in “knowing how things work” as her motivation for studying the subject.
“When experiments work and support your hypothesis,it is so satisfying. I am looking into biomedical engineering at university,” she said. “I want to help people,I’d love to make hearing aids or medical devices.”
A NESA spokesperson said enrolments are consistent with previous years,with maths,biology and business studies attracting the largest numbers for nine years running.
“Year-on-year HSC course enrolments fluctuate based on a number of factors,” the spokesperson said. “Students may choose HSC courses for a number of reasons including their interests,future goals and courses most suited to their pathway to university,employment or further studies.
“Young women are very well represented in science courses,particularly in biology and science extension.”
There are 75,493 students studying one or more HSC courses this year,with exams starting on October 12.
Macquarie Fields High teacher Melissa Collins said year 12 students were still dealing with challenges after ongoing COVID-19 disruption this year,and next week the school will run five days of wellbeing initiatives for HSC check-in week.
“Last year these students were in an LGA of concern,and they spent a lot of time in front of screens,” she said. “After COVID-19 there is a real willingness from students to engage in discussing mental heath and making sure they are managing in the lead up to exams.
NSW Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said next week’s HSC check-in week is a chance for teachers and families to connect with and support students.
“The last week of school is a great time for students to connect with others and ensure they have the support networks they need in place before they leave the school gates.
“We want the HSC Class of 2022 to know there are friends,teachers,classmates,family members and professional support services who want the best for them and are available to talk,” she said.
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