Australian children are required to wear uniforms. This as a teacher is a wonderful thing! Gone are the baggy pants where I can see kids knickers(underwear)and have to tell boys to pull up their pants. Gone are the days when girls will sit and the low rise is a bit too low. No low cut tops, midriffs and shorts or skirts way too short. No telling students to take their hood off on their jumpers (hoodies) or to pull their shirts down as to not see their belly. I am a believer of uniforms. I would even be happy to have a uniform as a teacher. No decisions, less clothes to buy, but probably more wash to do. The students don't mind either and most of the students I have spoken with believe it is a lot easier than having to choose clothing. I also believe it puts students at more of a level playing field. Having uniforms from many Australian teachers' perspectives puts the focus on education and creates a community feeling with students in the school. The parents I have spoken with hated the idea of not having uniforms, "ugh, the expense!" They said when we discussed some of the differences between Australia and the United States. Students express their identity, often a concern in the States. Piercings, hair styles or colors, and jewelery are still worn.
Schools are divided in two levels, primary and secondary. Primary schools are k-6 and secondary schools are 7-12. Students are required to attend school until the age of 16 by law. At 16 students can go to an apprenticeship type school or stay on until year 12 for acceptance into university. Students can choose which schools they go to, but by area in which they live, pay for a private school, or apply to a school out of their area if there is a special program such as music or sports.
Students do take a test at 12th grade to check progress and skills. They do need to pass the test to go to the University. The scores are not reported to the press, only the schools and students. The South Australian Government Department of Education understands that private and public schools are not a equal playing field, comparing schools scores does not show the whole picture. Private schools can decline any student and get rid of students not performing. Public schools cannot. The Education Department is fighting with the government for not reporting the scores. Bravo! They seem to know better than our education department that parent influence and socioeconomic status do play a significant role in how a student will do in school.
As for schools themselves, they allow the students a little more freedom to make choices, good and bad. At the secondary level there are 6 lessons a day of 50 minute each. There is a 10 minute session called care group in my school, where students meet with their care group teacher, attendance is taken, uniforms are checked, and some student issues are dealt with. Students then move to lesson 1 and 2. There are no bells to signal the start and end of a passing period or lesson. After lesson two students and teachers all get a 15 minute break. Teachers have tea. Students eat snacks they brought or food purchased from the canteen. The canteens are like cafeterias in the United States. The food is just as unhealthy. Students then go to lesson 3 and 4, lunch for 30 minutes, and then lessons 5 and 6. Some classes will run both lessons. Some will run for one lesson and students rotate to another teacher for the next lesson. In comparison to the United States students spend the same number of days in school, but do not have the same classes everyday. It ultimately equates to one less class per week for certain subjects. All students are required to have PE once a week and two electives each term.
Holidays are every 10 weeks on average. They have a 10 week term, then a two week break. There are a total of 4 terms in a school year. School starts at the end of January and ends in mid December.
Kim and Patrick's Travel Adventures
