From underdogs to champions: Newcastle locals needed to help level the playing fields for our HSC students

As HSC exam season approaches, Alesco Secondary College is reaching out to the community for volunteer readers and writers who can be the difference between a student achieving their dreams or facing another barrier to success.

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Many of Alesco’s students live with learning difficulties and disabilities and without this support, talented young people who've already overcome significant challenges may be unable to demonstrate what they truly know.

"These students have fought hard to get to this point, they deserve champions in their corner to give them a proper chance," Atwea College CEO, Helga Smit, said.

"When someone volunteers as an HSC Reader or Writer, they're not just reading questions aloud or recording answers. They're sending a powerful message: 'Your dreams matter. Your potential matters. We believe in you.' For a young person who may have been told they can't succeed in traditional ways, that validation can be life-changing."

The college urgently needs volunteers to fill two critical roles:

●        Readers - Support students who need exam content read aloud.

●        Writers - Assist students who require someone to transcribe their responses.

No teaching experience is required, just empathy, patience, and a few hours during exam period. The volunteer roles are flexible and can accommodate various schedules, with training provided to ensure volunteers feel confident and prepared. All volunteers must hold a current Working With Children Check.

"What strikes me most about our volunteers is how often they tell us they get more out of the experience than they give," Helga continued.

"They see firsthand what happens when a young person who's faced challenges gets the support they need to succeed. It's incredibly powerful."

For many Alesco students, the HSC represents a pathway to further education, employment, and independence. Without volunteer support, some may never get the chance to show their true capabilities.

"These young people have incredible resilience and wisdom beyond their years. They've already proven they don't give up easily. Now they need their community to show the same determination in supporting them. It takes a village to raise a child, and sometimes that village shows up one volunteer at a time."

"I've seen students light up when they realise someone from their community cares enough to spend hours helping them succeed. It's not about charity,  it's about leveling the playing field so every young person gets judged on their knowledge, not their circumstances. When we do that, everybody wins,” Helga concluded.

Community members interested in becoming partners in student success can complete an Expression of Interest

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