While this was not the start to Term 3 that we predicted, I am very proud of how the girls and staff adapted to online learning for the first week of school.

I was grateful for the way our Year 12 girls moved smoothly on to online exams in the middle of their mid-year exam block and the fact that Term 3 is underway and the learning of all girls has continued seamlessly.

It was fantastic to see the girls back at school on Wednesday and hopefully, we will be able to remain at school for the rest of the term thanks to the willingness of South Australians to get tested and remain in lockdown. While there will need to be some modifications to several programs and school activities, this is a small price to pay to have the girls back at school.

Subject Selection 2022

Over the next month, Year 10 and 11 girls will begin subject selection for 2022. The girls will be provided with a range of information from Heads of School, the SACE Coordinator, Heads of Faculty, and careers advisors to support them in their decision making.

Last week I had the opportunity to read an informative article written by Professor Nan Bahr from Southern Cross University about factors to consider when choosing subjects for Senior School. While this can be a daunting time, given that the girls are considering future career paths, these decisions need to be kept in perspective. I encourage you to consider the following points when discussing subjects for 2022 with your daughter.

Senior subjects will significantly influence your career pathway

Rapid advancements in technology will mean the skills our girls need for their future careers are vastly different from the skills required today. Industry advice bodies such as the National Skills Commission, recommend that students choose subjects that suit their interest and skill set, rather than prepare for a specific future career.

A 15-year-old today is likely to have 17 different employers in their lifetime and make five major changes in their career pathways. Hence, the senior subjects they take now may have little impact on future job opportunities.

Employers are demanding communication skills when hiring and that transferable skills, such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, innovation and emotional judgement, are widely acknowledged as important in driving business success. Subjects like Music, Drama and Physical Education teach these skills that employers value the most.

As a part of our Year 11 Artemis program, girls are asked to consider the skills they will need in 2035 to be successful. We need our girls to be future focused and not just think about the current employment environment and what we as parents have experienced. The world is different now!

You have to do the ‘academic’ subjects to get a good ATAR

Students can find subjects challenging if they lack interest or ability. This means girls are unlikely to do well if they are unhappy and unmotivated. If a girl only values a subject for what it might get her, like a high ATAR, she is unlikely to be as successful as she could be studying something she enjoys.

Year 12 will be demanding and stressful

Year 12 can be demanding and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. The most common source of distress comes from anxiety, specifically test anxiety, and the pressures that come from selecting subjects for reasons not driven by interest and ability. Girls with a range of subject types and co-curricular activities will have variety in their day and week. They are more likely to enjoy their Year 12. Balance is important.

An ATAR score is the only way to get into a course at university

While the ATAR is an important part of our girls’ educational journey, it must be remembered that there are several pathways to university — an ATAR is only one of them.

For example, engineering normally requires an ATAR in the mid 80s. However, there are other pathways such as a VET certificate, diploma or TAFE course to get into engineering. There are several alternative pathways described by most institutions on their websites that can be used as entry to university.

Taking a VET subject in Senior School will negatively impact your ATAR

Taking a VET subject during Senior School is likely to provide a balanced education, which may improve a girl’s chance for a high ATAR as well as provide the opportunity to:

• Gain a nationally recognised qualification before leaving school, which can be useful for gaining a part-time job during university studies
• Undertake subjects that are prerequisites for specific university courses.

So, with all this in mind, I encourage all girls to think about:

• What subjects do they enjoy doing?

• Will the subjects they select give them variety in their day?

• Are there prerequisite subjects required for university courses they wish to consider?

Please take the opportunity to visit the Careers Pathway website and speak to key staff at school. We are here to help, and I look forward to sharing the Senior School journey with you and your daughter(s).

Duke of Edinburgh

At the end of Term 2 and during the school holidays, the Gold Duke of Edinburgh girls had an amazing opportunity to take part in two trips to Jatbula in the Northern Territory and at our Crawford campus along the Coorong.

Read about their fantastic experiences below.