Trinity College’s director of studies Kym Armstrong said it was heartening the NSW government and Education Minister was responsive to community concern.

“I think the community will receive the news well and I certainly know some students who will receive it well,” she said.

“It’s really a response to quite a bit of anxiety in the community, around year 9 students in particular, who were getting stressed and anxious.

“You really were getting kids starting to worry about HSC too early.”

Education Minister Rob Stokes announced on Thursday year 9 students would no longer need to score three band eights in NAPLAN to qualify for the HSC.

During the first year of the policy, 2016, almost 70 per cent of year 9 students did not meet the requirements.

Mr Stokes said linking NAPLAN tests to the HSC placed unnecessary pressure on students.

Under the changes, HSC students will still have to meet a minimum standard through short online tests in reading, writing and numeracy.

Ms Armstrong said removing the HSC qualification link with NAPLAN, returns clarity to the literacy and numeracy assessment, which can be used for diagnostic purposes.

“It was a highly emotive change,” she said of the now-reversed decision.

“A lot of parents and students were upset by it.

“Anything that reduces the stress of students is a good thing and we had year 9’s who are 14 or 15 and in their heads they were placing greater emphasis on it than need be.”

National parent advocacy body, the P&C Federation, said the link between HSC and NAPLAN had threatened the best interests of students. 

President Susie Boyd applauded the Education Minister’s decision to listen and act on the “logical” concerns of parents, students and schools. 

The change does not affect current year 10 students.