From the Principal

School leavers do not just need to be employable. They need to be adaptable, flexible and confident. Professor Peter Shergold AC, June 2020
The recent Report of the Review of Senior Secondary Pathways into Work, Further Education and Training by the National Education Council shared some interesting insights into the next decade. Chair of the Education Council, Prof Peter Shergold stated: Senior schools must prepare young people both for active citizenship in a democratic society and for purposeful engagement with the labour market. … Education must provide students with the essential attributes they require for lifelong learning in whatever fields of endeavour they may choose. The professional and applied skills they need will change significantly over their lives. The jobs they do will be transformed… Academic achievement is important but not the sole reason for schooling. We need to focus more on preparing the whole person, no matter what career path they choose. The final years of schooling are an important part of the learning entitlement of all young Australians.Professor Shergold advocated for success in eight key outcomes:
- All students will leave with essential skills
- All students will leave with a Learner Profile, identifying the range of their skills, knowledge and experiences. It will include learning and experiences gained inside and outside of school.
- All pathways will be equally respected
- All students will benefit from informed decision-making
- All schools will have strong partnerships with industry
- All students will start to prepare their Education Passport. An Education Passport – aligned with the Learner Profile – will assist individuals to communicate their qualifications, learnings and experience as they move between pathways and change career directions throughout their working lives. Its preparation will begin at school.
- All students will be provided with equal opportunities for success
- Government policies will be informed by evidence
Given the context of these changes, the impending retirement of Mrs Louise Manifold early next year had me concerned. Without doubt Louise is one of the nation’s leading Careers Practitioners and the need for a capable replacement was critical. Hence, I am very pleased to announce that Mrs Alison Churchill will become the College’s new Careers Practitioner in February 2021. Ali has a Bachelor of Arts and Teaching from Deakin University and a Masters of Educational Studies in the field of Career Development from the University of Queensland. She is a professional member of Career Education Association of Victoria (CEAV) and over the past four years, Ali excelled as the Middle School Academic Counsellor at Stamford American International School (SAIS) in Singapore. Ali also has thirteen years’ experience as an English teacher and will take one lucky English class and a Mentor group next year.
I am delighted with this appointment as we carefully prepare each graduate for a confident future.
Dr Andrew Hirst
Principal