1. Message from the Principal

Subject selection in preparation for the senior years of schooling can be both exhilarating and daunting. A world of opportunities opens to pursue areas of interest, but there is usually some trepidation that one might get it wrong somehow, with dire consequences! 

Let’s start by addressing this fear. 

Talk to the adults in your life. Most will tell you that their career pathways have taken many twists and turns, more like a bush trail than a superhighway. This should provide you some reassurance that this task of choosing a study pathway is an inexact science and likely to continually evolve as you grow. 

Having said that, you will most likely find the journey more interesting and rewarding if you have chosen a program that provides the right balance of challenge, fun, diversity, and novelty. Of course, if you do have a clear destination in mind, it is important to ensure that you are on the right train line (to use a Metro metaphor). But most of you will feel like you’re taking the first steps on an adventure. 

To get the most out of this process use the resources at your fingertips wisely.  Read this handbook thoroughly – don’t skim. Talk to those whose advice can be trusted. The experts in the subject disciplines, your teachers, and those close to you who may have already walked this journey. 

Be alert, but not alarmed, to the changing nature of work. Salman Khan, creator of the Khan Academy, offers the following advice: 

“… successful workers of the future will be those with deep and broad skills. The “three Rs” of reading, writing and arithmetic and more important than ever. On top of that, a solid appreciation and understanding of history, art, science, law, and finance would round out someone well. It’s more important than ever that students have strong communication, collaboration, and empathy skills.” 

A final word of warning. Your friends will have opinions.  This is a really good time to ignore them and trust your own instincts. Choosing your subjects based on what your friends are selecting is likely to lead to frustration for you. 

This is an exciting time in your journey as a learner and, with care, you will get it right and learn something about yourself in the process. 

Good luck. 

Darren Atkinson | College Principal