STANSW Meet the Markers Extended
Mark Like a Senior Judge. Transform Your Teaching Approach.
When: In-person, Friday 20 March, 2026
Venue: Chifley College Senior Campus Mt Druitt, with an optional breakfast experience at Sydney Zoo
Purpose:
This full-day, in-person event provides HSC Science Teachers with deep, collaborative professional development that moves beyond 2025 exam-specific analysis. The goal is to fundamentally shift your teaching approach by giving you a simulated marker experience and a macroscopic understanding of the entire HSC assessment process.
Audience:
NSW Stage 6 (Year 11-12) Science Teachers (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, EES, Investigating Science, Science Extension), particularly those seeking to master HSC standards and improve student performance, regardless of their prior marking experience.
Key Components:
- Understand the Process: Exclusive NESA-focused session on how the HSC exam is built, moderated, and judged.
- Apply the Standards: Subject-specific, collaborative session where you unpack band descriptors and marking criteria using sample materials.
- Shift Your Strategy: Learn high-impact teaching methods from expert teachers to prepare students to achieve top bands.
Program Outline
| Time | Session Type | Content Focus | Presenter/ Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
|
8:00 AM – 10:00 AM |
Optional Breakfast Experience |
Sydney Zoo Visit: Breakfast and Plenary with Josh Nicholls, First Nations Team Leader (RSVP separately) |
Josh Nicholls, First Nations Team Leader, Sydney Zoo |
|
10:00 AM – 10:10 AM |
Travel Time |
Travel by car from Sydney Zoo to Chifley College Senior Campus (10 mins; dedicated parking available at both). |
Attendees |
|
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM |
Arrival & Check-in |
Campus arrival and check-in for all attendees (including those not attending the Zoo). Coffee and networking before sessions commence. |
Committee |
|
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM |
Welcome & Introduction |
Program welcome, outline of the day’s macroscopic focus, and its relevance to both current and future syllabuses. |
Committee Convenor |
|
10:45 AM – 12:15 PM |
Keynote & collaborative workshop (90 mins) |
Understanding the HSC Process: How exams are written, the judging process, moderation, and standard setting.
Jen’s 90-minute keynote and collaborative workshop will explore how science teachers can strengthen their assessment practices through a deeper understanding of standards-referenced frameworks, moderation processes, and achievement standards. In an interactive, discussion-driven format, participants will work together to connect these elements and consider how they inform fair, consistent, and meaningful assessments that genuinely reflect student learning and support professional growth. |
Jen Pledger,
NESA Metropolitan Liaison Officer |
|
12:15 PM – 1:15 PM |
Lunch |
||
|
1:15 PM – 2:45 PM |
Workshop Session 1 (90 mins) |
Applying Marking Criteria (Subject Specific): Practical application of marking criteria using NESA Standards Packages. Focus on band descriptors. |
Subject Faciliators |
|
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM |
Break |
Tea/Coffee |
|
|
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM |
Workshop Session 2 (90 mins) |
Classroom Strategy: Preparing Students for the HSC: Experienced teachers share practical, high-impact strategies for student exam preparation. |
Subject Faciliators |
|
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM |
Final Q&A & Wrap-up |
Panel Q&A, distribution of resources, feedback collection, and professional thank you. |
Committee Convenor |
| Price Per Ticket | Includes GST |
|---|---|
|
Full Price |
$420 |
|
School Members |
$340 |
|
Individual Members |
$270 |
|
Student Members |
$80 |
|
Sydney Zoo Experience |
Free, RSVP required |
STANSW Meet the Markers Online
Meet the Markers of the 2025 HSC Exam Analysis
STANSW’s annual Meet the Markers event serves as a crucial professional development opportunity for science teachers. Tailored for those who haven’t participated in Higher School Certificate examinations marking, the event deepens their understanding of the marking and judging processes. Attendees, including early career teachers entering senior classes and pre-service teachers, find it highly valuable gaining insights and strategies to better prepare students for the exams that lie ahead.
Our 2026 Conference will be held virtually, enabling access for teachers from all corners of NSW.
| Online Webinars | 2026 Dates |
|---|---|
|
Wednesday 11 March |
|
|
Thursday 12 March |
|
|
Monday 16 March |
|
|
Tuesday 17 March |
|
|
Wednesday 18 March |
|
|
Thursday 19 March |
| Price Per Ticket (Online) | Includes GST |
|---|---|
|
Full Price |
$305 |
|
School Members |
$240 |
|
Individual Members |
$180 |
|
Student Members |
$60 |
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
Complimentary Online Workshops
As part of the Meet the Markers (MTM) 2026 program, the Science Teachers Association of NSW is pleased to offer a series of complimentary live online workshops delivered by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).
We sincerely thank NESA for their ongoing support of MTM and for the generosity of their Liaison Officers, who are giving their time and expertise to support NSW science teachers through these additional professional learning opportunities.
These sessions are designed to complement the MTM exam analysis workshops and the in-person MTM Extended Program on 20 March 2026, providing practical guidance aligned with NSW assessment and reporting requirements.
Session Delivery
- Three separate dates
- Two sessions running concurrently each afternoon
- Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
- Format: Live virtual (not recorded)
Please note: These sessions are available for live participation only. Teachers are encouraged to take advantage of this offering when registering for one or more MTM sessions or the MTM live day.
| Date | NESA Session Option 1 | NESA Session Option 2 | Registration Close Date |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mon 9 March, 3:30pm – 4:30pm |
Determining Grades Using a Standards-referenced Approach, with Erinn Roberts |
Effective Practices for Stage 6 Assessment, with Heidi O’Brien |
Fri 6 March |
|
Tue 10 March, 3:30pm – 4:30pm |
Determining Grades Using a Standards-referenced Approach, with Christine Keys |
Effective Practices for Stage 6 Assessment, with Heidi O’Brien |
Mon 9 March |
|
Fri 13 March, 3:30pm – 4:30pm |
Determining Grades Using a Standards-referenced Approach, with Wendy Murphy |
Effective Practices for Stage 6 Assessment, with Christine Keys |
Thu 12 March |
Both sessions will be repeated across all three dates.
Important Information
- Registered participants will receive a Teams invitation from a NESA Liaison Officer closer to the session date.
- Please note that clicking the Teams link may automatically move the email into your Outlook calendar. If unfamiliar with this process, you may prefer to leave the email in your inbox and click “Join the meeting” shortly before the session.
- Please check your Spam/Junk folder if the invitation does not appear.
- For session-specific enquiries, contact details for the NESA presenter will be provided in the RSVP information.
Pre-registration is required. Registrations close one day prior to each session.
View NESA session details here
Christine Keys, Heidi O’Brien, Wendy Murphy and Erinn Roberts are experienced educators with an extensive background teaching and leading in secondary schools. As one of eight NESA Liaison Officers across the state, they support schools and teachers by providing guidance on NESA policies and procedures, delivering professional learning aligned with NESA priorities, and assisting with HSC student support services, including the HSC Inquiry Line.