I enjoyed reading Adrian’s quick post about the model of school being a lot like an industrial factory. Year levels having a set curriculum that are to be completed by point x. This system is designed on the idea that most of the people in each class will be able to complete the set tasks but the end of the year, and like a conveyor-belt they will move along.

I personally have a real issue with the idea that at the end of year 12 in Victoria, you will be given a number that will represent your time a school, particularly your time in year 12. I went to my high school from my first day of year 7. I loved my school, and took great pride in it. I wasn’t ashamed of this, and in year 12 I was school captain – a role in which I deeply thrived and loved. Through out the year, there were moments where I wished the lines between my social life and my responsibility as school captain weren’t blurred. And there were times that I wished I didn’t have to do the ‘right’ thing instead of the popular thing. However there were times then I got to meet people that I found truly inspiring. And points where I never thought I would be lucky enough to have some of the opportunities that I had. By the end of my year 12, I felt like a stronger and more well-rounded person. I was so grateful for what I was encouraged to achieve.

However. I don’t believe that any of this personal growth was reflected in my ability to write writing three essay’s in three hours on a story that I struggled to relate to. The number that I received at the end of the year was a number that I was very pleased with – but will never be a true reflection of my time at high school and what I felt I achieved.

End rant.