Deputy Principal 

Year 9 and 12

This week I finished marking around 100 handwritten Trial HSC English essays, and that process again reaffirmed the need for all students to cultivate the vital skill of handwriting. In an era dominated by digital devices, the Higher School Certificate examinations still remain primarily pen and paper based.  It maybe easy to assume that typing has overtaken handwriting as the preferred mode of communication, yet research and my anecdotal experience in classrooms shows that writing by hand offers irreplaceable benefits.

Studies reveal that the act of forming letters by hand activates different parts of the brain compared with typing. When students pick up a pen or pencil, they engage fine motor skills, enhance cognitive connections, and improve their capacity to retain information. Writing notes by hand leads to better comprehension and memory recall than typing, as it requires students to process information and rephrase it in their own words, rather than simply transcribing. Furthermore, the slower pace of handwriting encourages deeper thinking, allowing time for ideas to develop and flow.

Digital devices can be distracting, with pop-ups and notifications vying for attention. Writing by hand minimises these interruptions, fostering greater concentration. In an exam setting, or during classroom writing tasks, the absence of onscreen distractions allows students to immerse themselves in their work.

The physical act of writing helps students master fundamental skills. From developing hand-eye coordination in early years, to mastering the art of organising thoughts in older students, handwriting is an essential building block for literacy.

While technology is essential and typing remains an important skill, handwritten tasks continue to play a central role in Epping Boys’ classrooms - it is, after all, The Year of the Book! We ensure students are equipped for the future while reaping the cognitive, creative, and practical benefits of writing by hand.

Nicholas Kennedy 

Deputy Principal Year 9 and 12