Tailoring Senior Education to meet Student Needs

“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

According to Premier Campbell Newman, education reforms are among the key outcomes from submissions to The Queensland Plan. Mr Newman said a lot of Queenslanders felt a more personalised approach to education would ensure what students learned in school was relevant to their future. (Sunshine Coast Daily, 16 August)

For the past two weeks, Mrs Joan Ferris and I have met with each Year 10 students and their parents to construct their Senior Education and Training (SET) Plan.  In this process we investigated various career options that the student wants to explore and the subjects and pathways available to achieve their goals.

So how can GCCC tailor an educational plan for individual students?

We already are. Students in Years 11 and 12 study five elective subjects that include an English and Mathematics subject.  The time to complete these five subjects is compacted into four days allowing students to use the fifth day to tailor an education program that meets their personal needs.  This includes studying a University subject or two whilst still at school.  They also have the option of doing a TAFE Certificate course or a school based traineeship.  Next year we will also be offering the subject Agricultural Science on this fifth day where students will have the opportunity to study Science at a local farm.

I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting with the Year 10 students and I am impressed with their positive attitude towards their studies as a whole.  At each meeting I asked the students what they planned to do on the Wednesday.  Not one of them saw this as a day to relax.  Each saw this as a unique opportunity to investigate their future pathways.

By the end of next month, our Year 12s will have submitted their QTAC applications which list their six preferences for tertiary studies.  I recognise that even now some students are still unsure what direction they should take.  My message to all students is to place their lives in God’s hands.  We are reminded in Proverbs 3:6 that if we seek God’s will in all we do then He will show us which path to take.

Examination Procedures

Very soon we will be publishing the exam timetable for Years 11 and 12 students.  During the exam block, students who have no examination may stay home to study.  Please ensure your child is supervised appropriately at this time.  We particularly request that students do not linger around town or in shops at this time.

Queensland Core Skills (QCS) Examinations: These are scheduled for 3 and 4 September.  Please pray for our Year 12s as they prepare themselves for these examinations.

 

David Heyworth, Head of Senior School