X-Roads
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Although there probably seems to be miles between school and the life you will lead when you finally finish, the truth is that they are very closely connected. Many people think the whole idea of school in the first place is to prepare you for 'life after school' - whatever this might be. School is about more than just getting good marks so that you can get into university or get a decent job. |
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Everyone is different, and everyone has different needs and interests. In terms of preparing you for 'the real world', your school has a responsibility to help you.
In an ideal world this would be easy, but it's not. Schools are making choices about your future that you might not even know about, through their policies on work experience, staff selection, support services (e.g. careers counselling), or curriculum (what and how you learn). You need to know what these policies are, how they influence your choices, and what you can do about it if you don't feel you are being supported.
For example, is your school giving you the option to do any subjects that give you practical work experience or skills via programs like VET or VCAL? If not, are they considering changes in the near future? Who decides whether or not these subjects are offered? And can you influence the decision?
There is also a balance to be kept between your individual needs and the fact the school has to cater to many individuals. One way your school keeps this balance is by making choices on behalf of all students, who are often represented in policy.
This resource aims to help you take part in making policy @ school. To do this, you need to understand both the policy-making process and also what's behind these policies (their language, fundamental ideas etc). One way to understand this, and to take part in the big decisions that shape individual students' choices, is for you to work through the options for yourself. You can then see how they develop and what affects them. By doing this, you'll be much better informed, and you'll find it easier to be part of the school's decision-making process - decisions that affect you and everybody else at your school.
What can I do about it?
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