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Beaconhills bucks tertiary trend
Chris Mallon
23Jul08
CARDINIA school leavers are 8 per cent less likely to go on to further education than students elsewhere in Victoria, figures revealed.
The State Government's 2008 On Track survey data shows 72 per cent of last year's graduates have enrolled in further study, with 43.9 per cent going to university, 18 per cent taking up a TAFE or VET placement and 9.8 per cent starting an apprenticeship.
More than 14 per cent of last year's VCE students are now employed, 11 per cent have chosen to defer their studies and just under 3 per cent are unemployed and looking for work.
The snapshot reveals schools in Cardinia region are 8 per cent below the state average for further education of 71.7 per cent.
Pakenham Secondary College had the lowest university enrolment statistics, with just 16 per cent taking up places, 26 per cent studying at TAFE or VET courses, 19 per cent becoming apprentices and 4 per cent deferring their studies.
The remaining 22 per cent of the class of 2007 are now employed.
But Pakenham's Beaconhills College is bucking the trend for low university enrolments and poor retention rates.
More than 82 per cent of last year's graduates have gone on to university, TAFE or an apprenticeship and a further 13 per cent won places but chose to defer.
College headmaster Tony Scheumack attributed the results to the school's efforts to raise students' achievements.
"Our college has very strong teaching staff who are truly committed to their students both to their academic needs and their pastoral needs," Mr Scheumack said.
"Our students are encouraged to achieve their personal best. Students can always achieve more than they think they can."
He said the relatively high rate of deferred tertiary enrolments reflected students' desires to travel and explore the world before returning to study.
