Happy New Year!
Tuesday 17 January 2012
For our 2011 school leavers, today January 17, has seen them receive their Tertiary offers for the next stage of their learning and work.
They are given an enormous amount of both advice and explanation. I was particularly interested to read an article by Janet Hill in the Herald Sun on page 37 today. The article takes a very close look at the ATAR and what is required for different courses at different tertiary campuses. Tertiary campuses vary from city University’s and Tafe Colleges, to small country campuses, which combine University and Tafe centres. The ATAR’S often reflect location and size as well as well as course demand.
To quote the article "the ATAR when it is assigned to a particular course, does not reflect its quality, it is simply a measure of demand and how many places are available”. The quality of Tertiary education is regulated through State and National Qualification Authorities, as well as the full range of occupations and workplaces to which Tertiary students apply on completion of their courses. There will always be social pressure as well as strong differences related to preferences amongst students, which will determine the courses they enter.
Reflecting on the holiday period, our rowers are now occupied at their summer training camp. The rowing season began last year and now we are into serious training and competition. We wish them well, and know that they are building on very sound base, that our Director of Rowing, Bradd Denham has in place.
Our teaching staff are already beginning to drift back to school, and we will be welcoming new staff on January 25, and all staff on January 27. Our students commence with Year 7 and all new Senior School Students on Tuesday 31 January and all girls return on Wednesday February 1.
Happy New Year!