“If you always do what you’ve always done, then you will always get what you always got.”

It’s a quote that has been attributed to a number of people including Henry Ford, and was used by Damian Farley, WAVE School Coordinator, during the Skilling our Region for the Future Program Day. Over the course of the day, LGSC participants gained insight into a number of complex issues relating to education in the region, including disadvantage and the changing workplace. Through discussion of these issues it became apparent that the way in which we educate our young people must evolve, to ensure that they are adequately prepared for the rapidly changing world in which they will live and work.

Our speakers presented the confronting reality of disadvantage in the region, as well as the importance of engaging with young people at risk of leaving the education system. The fact that 700 young people between the ages of 13 and 17 years in south-west Victoria are not in education or training, with approx. 250 of them in the Warrnambool area, is startling. Whilst there are skilled educators providing opportunities for disadvantaged young people to remain engaged, the broader issue of increasing the number of young people attaining year 12 or equivalent remains a challenge. While Beyond the Bell is undertaking initiatives to improve the region’s year 12 attainment rate, perhaps there is an opportunity for further change within the education sector at a policy level.

There is no doubt the issue of education is extremely complex. However, it is clear that the education system must evolve to keep students engaged and equipped with the skills for a rapidly changing future.

An example of change is Woolsthorpe Primary School where a growth mindset is encouraged alongside the development of problem solving skills through their Discovery Learning process keeping students engaged and preparing them for a fast changing world. This engaging process encourages students to identify what they want to learn and build skills as they undertake projects delivering real education outcomes that are student centered.

Thanks to our speakers – Ken Radley, Senior Education Consultant, Damian Farley, WAVE School Coordinator, Simon Perry, Principal at Woolsthorpe Primary School, Janette Brown, Executive Manager Education and Leigh Roberts, Senior Projects Manager Strategic Innovation and Educational Projects, from South West TAFE