Comments on: Awards, Exams, Results

By: Lee-Anne

Lee-Anne — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 05:25:17 +0000

So true…as both parent and teacher I know the theoretical value of results, but in the real world, they are overrated. I’ve met quite a few stupid academics and some very smart ‘losers’ in the school system! 🙂

By: Janine

Janine — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 21:34:32 +0000

In reply to MaameJ. Well done to your son. I wish there was more discussion on the many, many alternative pathways into uni (or jobs). The world is full of possibilities that don't rely on just acing the ATAR. Thanks for stopping by.

By: Janine

Janine — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 21:28:04 +0000

In reply to Travelling Macs. I really hope my children do emerge from school with a lifelong love of learning but I suspect they will be a bit over it all by the time they finish! I love that you talk to your students at the end of the year about what they have learnt throughout the year inside and outside the classroom.

By: Travelling Macs

Travelling Macs — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 11:06:08 +0000

I totally agree ‘You are not the sum of your HSC mark’. As a teacher I ask my class at the end of the year just what they learnt. They will name academic achievements and sport generally. I always tell them that while these things are good the most important thing to learn is that education at school is only a small part of the classroom of life. The world holds so much education. The best thing I want children to learn is that learning happens lifelong.

By: Janine

Janine — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 03:46:40 +0000

In reply to alanamaree. You know I soooo miss individual teachers giving comments on each subject. At our high school only the Pastoral Care teacher writes a comment. The subjects just have a grade, a mark and the average mark for the subject. Just numbers. Comments like "kind and loyal" are just as important in the holistic development of a child (and the sanity of the parent) as the marks!

By: alanamaree

alanamaree — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 02:29:52 +0000

We got the kids’ report cards last week and I found myself far less worried than I thought about a few “basic”s. And thrilled with “your daughter is a kind and loyal friend”.

By: MaameJ

MaameJ — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 23:52:44 +0000

Thanks for those inspiring words, so true and I hope lots of hsc students get to read them. Although there is so much emphasis on the ATAR I think they have trouble believing it. My son got his yesterday & with bonus marks from various sources we think he’s scraped into the course he wanted, but I was very impressed by his maturity during the exams when he overcame his anxiety about marks and focused on alternative pathways to what he wants to do. Also of course very proud. Good luck with it all in two years time 🙂