Ignus

Principal's Report

Education is making news at the moment with Gonski 2.0 being released. We are seeing political leaders all weigh in about education standards, literacy and numeracy. I find it curious that so many politicians believe they know what is best for young people, comment on what will work in schools yet very few if any have actually worked in schools with young people. Schools are complex places with a myriad of challenges that involve people. There is no one quick fix panacea that will see every student achieve. The idea of individual learning plans as proposed by Gonski 2.0, is not a new concept. For this to occur in senior secondary would require a dramatic restructure of the VCE though as it is content driven and time is always a precious commodity.

 

While the Federal Politicians argue the benefits of the Gonski 2.0 report, what they fail to remember is that Catholic education is still being underfunded. Students in Catholic schools attract far less funding that those in other systems including the independent school system. To even engage in such conversation Minister Birmingham needs to sit down at the table with Catholic education and endorse an equitable plan for funding Catholic schools across Australia. Perhaps the Minister may like to see what individual timetables look like in a school that opens at 4am (with Bakers commencing) and closing at 9.30 / 10pm (Hospitality) that offers pathways for all students no matter their choice. From university to trade and TAFE pathways, I am extremely proud of the fact that Catholic Regional College Sydenham has for over a decade now provided individual programs to all students based on their chosen pathway.

A new proposed hurdle requirement for VCE and VCAL

At a State level, the Victorian Government is now seriously considering the introduction of a final senior secondary numeracy and literacy test. Let me be very clear about what this might look like. After students complete the VCE (scored or unscored) or the VCAL, they would be required to undertake and pass an externally set literacy and numeracy test in order to gain the qualification. This is an additional requirement at the end of the two year period.

 

Where this has been introduced in other States such as WA, the impact on students has been disastrous. Completion rates have dropped from 100 or close to 100% to 80 or 70 and in some cases even 60% of students being eligible for the senior secondary certificate. Those most impacted by the new hurdle requirement are those who are new arrivals, indigenous, students with additional learning needs and those who come from non English speaking backgrounds. This profile summarises the majority of our community.

 

We believe that the proposed testing

  • is a knee jerk reaction to lower literacy and numeracy rates;
  • will not improve results;
  • is ludicrous at the end of Year 12 when it will be too late to make any change other than to fail students;
  • is poor policy that will not provide students with opportunities but rather take opportunities away;
  • will mean that fewer students receive a senior secondary certificate;
  • is unwarranted in the VCE given students complete English and most complete an English Exam;
  • will disadvantage the already disadvantaged that we are trying to support;
  • will close doors for students rather than open doors;
  • will see more young people become disengaged;
  • will not encourage students to transition from Year 10 to the senior secondary years;
  • will marginalise those who have an additional learning need;
  • can not cater to the individual needs of young people as the VCE and VCAL were intended;
  • lead to higher youth unemployment as more young people fail to gain a senior secondary certificate.

Families should be concerned about the proposed changes to the Victorian curriculum. Schools have been invited to provide submissions to the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority (VCAA) by 18 May on the proposed testing program at senior secondary level. I have asked Michael Flaherty, Deputy Principal, to prepare our submission. I invite all families to contribute to the Catholic Regional College Sydenham response on this matter. It is my hope that staff, parents’ and students’ voices will be represented in the document tabled. This is the largest Catholic Senior Secondary College in Victoria, our community will directly experience the impact of any such change and as such our voice must be a part of the chorus of voices in this debate. If you would like to contribute, if you would like to help develop the Catholic Regional College Sydenham response please contact Michael Flaherty on deputyprincipal@crcsydenham.net

 

Brendan J Watson OAM

Principal