From the Management Team

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

As we embark on the Course Counselling season and subject selection process for many students and families of Endeavour College, including myself, I can’t help but reflect on the exciting opportunities that now exist. In 1988, the year of my graduation, I followed a very narrow pathway, like most of my friends, choosing five subjects from a limited range of about ten, having examinations for all of them, and having very few that I was really passionate about. At that time, we had limited or no course counselling, some advice about university and a careers advisor who didn’t seem to know much about the job market. Maybe this was just my experience in an eastern suburbs public school, but it is certainly interesting looking at just how far we have come. 28 subjects to choose from at Year 12, VET pathways opportunities, hybrid options, a full time Careers and Pathways advisor, Course Counsellors, a myriad of paths into universities beyond the traditional ATAR method and opportunities to discuss it all with people who care.

Daunting as the choices may seem, I can’t help but be excited about the changes occurring within schools, particularly in the Senior Years in order to meet the changing world our students face. Many subjects now have no examinations and use a variety of methods to determine student achievement. There is a significant shift away from rote learning of knowledge to one of application, problem solving and innovation; a far more interesting and stimulating way to learn. Endeavour also continues to explore its course offerings to meet the interests and pathways for our students. These are indeed exciting times.

I wish all families the very best as we journey through our children’s educational choices in the weeks ahead. I encourage you to engage with the materials and opportunities the school has provided you in order to help navigate the process. Speak to your son or daughter regularly about their future pathways, and certainly speak to a wide range of people at Endeavour who can help you stay informed and ask the right questions. We are all in this together.

Peter Pearse

Deputy Principal