We are asking for the HSC Software Engineering syllabus to be changed so students are not required to write code in person under timed conditions without support.

We are year 11 accelerated software engineering students, and we believe the current syllabus tests us in ways that are unfair and unnecessary. Coding is not usually done in a rushed, closed-book setting with no help and no way to check whether an error is in the code. In the real world, software engineers work with time, tools, feedback, and the chance to test and improve their work. That is what we should be learning to do.

If coding is assessed, it should be through major work or hand-in submissions, where students are given proper time to develop their code as they would in a real workplace. That would show real skill, problem-solving, and the ability to build something useful. Theoretical content can still be assessed in person, and that would fairly test understanding, quick thinking, and knowledge of key concepts. Those are important skills, and we agree they matter.

What we do not need is a system that forces students to manually spot errors under pressure, especially in a world where software work is increasingly supported by modern tools, including AI. We want a syllabus that prepares students for the way software engineering actually works.

Please sign this petition to support current and future software engineering students, so we can be assessed more fairly and on more relevant concepts.