From the Principal

Learning Pathways

Last week I made brief reference to the changing landscape of education in Australia. An increasingly mobile workforce means that children can often move cities and states as parents take advantage of employment opportunities. My own children have studied in both Queensland and Western Australia and our oldest daughter remains studying in Brisbane at tertiary level.

 

Having firsthand experience of two educational systems has reinforced the necessity of having appropriate educational pathways that enable our young people to be prepared for future learning, training and work. It is also important to develop a set of transferable skills. Geographically, Australia is located adjacent to rapidly changing and evolving Asian economies which present both challenges and opportunities for young Australians.

 

Comparatively linear learning pathways from school to university to the workforce are largely in the past. Our Head of Pathways and Transition, Ms Nicole Gazey, has recently initiated conversations for future Year 11 and 12 students. Traditionally, many of our parents and staff (including me) have pursued a ‘UniDirect’ pathway. It is important to recognise that pathway does not suit all students.

Under Ms Gazey’s guidance, John XXIII College now has four distinctive pathways:

Problem solving, creativity, teamwork, digital literacy, financial literacy, communications, critical thinking and presentation skills represent a set of skills that the workforce is demanding of its employees. Our Academic Leadership Team (Heads of Learning Areas) met this week to consider ways in which these enterprise skills can be incorporated within our learning programs. Exciting times lie ahead.

 

Next week at our Parents' Association meeting, I will make brief reference to some of these points and our planning for the future. I will also elaborate at our forthcoming Presentation Night.

 

 

Together, let us seek justice.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Robert Henderson

Principal