TAS News: Helping students enter the adult world with confidence

Things have changed significantly in the world of education over the last twenty years. Every year, we see more innovative learning experiences in both Primary and Secondary schools.

And the result? More engaged students whose eyes are opened to a breadth of opportunities many of us wouldn’t have seen at school age.

Today they’re learning about robotics, drone flying, graphic design, 3D printing, engineering and even how to budget. Topics that don’t just fascinate students, but also let them enter the adult world with confidence to make great career and life choices.

Over the last 10 years the development and change in tech has been driving innovation across all industries and that of course has flowed on to the school curriculum. We’re seeing more and more tech and problem-solving based subjects at school to ensure our students graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a modern workforce.

These changes in the curriculum are proving successful for a real love of learning. Innovative learning activities and programs let students look beyond the assessable content and really engage with the learning experience in the moment. It allows them to explore the possibilities of a subject matter being a tangible future pathway.

We’re also seeing innovation in career-focused subjects in changing industries. For example, agriculture and farming has changed significantly and students now need to be tech savvy to thrive in agriculture – the curriculum is moving to keep up with these changes.

In the near future, we can expect even more change in the curriculum in the areas of tech, entrepreneurship and micro-credentials – things like soft skills, networking, work ethic and resourcefulness. TAS as a school is already including micro-credentials such as barista skills, Responsible Service of Alcohol, safe driving and completing mock job interviews. 

At present, TAS is stopping the standard curriculum for two weeks, so students right across the senior school can engage in the Gateway Program. This innovative program exposes students to a wide variety of interests and topics including budgeting, investing, claymation, wooden propeller toy building, robot cake decorating, marketing, how to run a business, interview secrets and even includes visits to modern retirement villages and display home villages. And that’s just the start.

The variety of subjects included in the Gateway Program give students an insight into the adult world with learning experiences they wouldn’t access in the normal school curriculum. Having a break from the normal routine also helps students re-engage as we head towards the end of the school year and opens their minds to new possibilities.

Head of Secondary School, Trina Faint, says of the program “Successful learning occurs when students are engaged and motivated, when learning activities pique their curiosity, personal interest and increase their level of independence - the Gateway Program brings the curriculum to life in a different way.

“Past students have started their own businesses whilst in the final years of schooling and maybe the Gateway has played a small part in sparking the idea and fortitude within them to seek out that pathway.

“We have seen many students adjust their thinking regarding their future and hope to see some great things in the next few years,”

The program ran for Years 7-10 from Monday 6 September to Friday 17 September. Years 11 and 12 students used these two weeks to take a more considered approach to their academics and upcoming ATAR exams.