Yes I went to uni. No I did not recieve instructions on how to apply for the 'dole' or, more accurately 'new start allowance'. I did however WORK as a teacher, tutor and photographer AT THE SAME TIME whilst 1-7 months pregnant with my first child. (I have two children and went back to casual teaching between their births). Prior to that I WORKED as a waitress DURING UNIVERSITY to PAY FOR MY FEES ETC. I also worked as a babysitter for 10 years, begining as soon as I turned 16 and ending with the birth of my first child... so I'm still looking after children. I have also WORKED as a secretary, check out opperator, piano tutor, professional (paid) artist, and have a TAFE certificate in Office Proceedures and Typing, A TAFE Associate Diploma in Fine Arts and a Degree in Teaching (B.Teach/B.A.(history) double degree). I am now finishing a Diploma in Montessori Education (correspondence) and will start a WEA (community collage) course in Digital Media and Web Page Design in 3 weeks, in order that I may start my own 'at home business' so that I may continue to home school my 5 year old daughter and also stay home for my 2 year old son. I am also a single mum.... would you like to take issue with that too? I know when to pick my fights.... and this issue of 'hippee dole bludging uni students' is NOT A PRIORITY, surely?? ps.... never did attend any social events... exept for the fund raisers at TAFE, which I ran....... pps. I am DEFINATELY not unique! Coincidently, anyone I know who DID act like you claim, DIDN'T GRADUATE!

Wendy, what are you talking about? MOST Uni students work while studying. I know I certainly did for the five years of my degree, working mainly in retail. As did 100% of my friends. I did not meet a single person at University who was not working in some capacity to at least pay for their books.

I am now working full time, pay a very great deal of tax, and studying again for my Masters at full fees in the evenings! Is my contribution to society somehow the lesser for not having the taste or talent for manual labour?

Laurie and MMm etc.

Clearly I am not talking about you then am I.

As its clear all of you are not spring chickens that was my point.

I was refering to [now days] and not everybody body just many.

The international students that study here are given special arrangments as well.
Such as PR if they are doing IT of one of the excepted courses along with free health and told how to appy for the dole before they finish their courses.
I know this because my sister and her husband own a school .

The aggressive reply to me which was very unnessary also shows me the smart arse rude uni attitude is still alive and kicking.

Thats not much of an example to our younger students now is it.

No need to be so rude.

I can assure you there are thousands of kids who do fit what i was describing.

I live between four unis and my friends run many accomadtion establishments for uni kids.

May be some hard work does improve ones manners who knows.

You lot are a discrace given i was not refering to you in the first place.

By your example uni kids grow into older examples of rude arrogant ill mannered people who think they are above everybody else.
Thanks for supporting my theory on the post.

Try learning some manners and less aggreshion in life.

Now as I was saying many kids should not be going to uni but into training if anybody else would like to comment.
Before I was so rudely interrupted.

"As its clear all of you are not spring chickens that was my point.
I was refering to [now days]"

Clearly you have misinterpreted. I am twenty-three and only graduated two years ago.

I must be one of those Horrid Youths Of Today.

But I agree that University is not the be-all and end-all of education, and kids should not be being convinced that it is. My younger brother went into a building apprenticeship at 16, and is doing very well, much better than if he had stayed in school, as it only would have led to frustration at failure. Instead, he is now a very talented builder, and has found his niche.

Back to the topic of the thread- syllabus management- I think that the author is correct, that there cannot be both the rhetoric of 'parents choice' as well as a constant push towards 'standardisation'.

I attended a very non-standard primary school (full of creative play and self-directed learning) and truly feel that I did better out of discovering learning rather than being 'directed' to learn a set series of facts. But that suited me. My cousin attended the school down the road which was a more traditional primary school, and she flourished just as well in that environment. There needs to be options for people in choosing the learning suited to their child/their selves, not everything cookie-cutter. All the same doesn't mean all better.

I agree Laurie. It is impossible to suggest only one path to all people... and this is the dilemma that the outcomes based curriculum puts teachers in. It seems broad but it lacks depth in areas. It just doesn't teach the reality of life. For instance, it is up to the individual teacher and his or her own experience to teach grace and courtesy. I mean no sarcasm by this comment; you teach people how to treat you. I of course apologise for any offence I may have caused Wendy. I was suggesting that you had 'generalised' uni students and was, perhaps defensively, illustrating an alternative response. I am not too old, 31, and like you personally know someone who runs their own private school. Working in their school and in the state system, I see that EVERY school is different anyway, as it is the people (students, parents, teachers and school community) who make the ‘real rules’. Indeed, there are many alternatives to the sausage factory of 'standardised and sanitary mainstream education' or what ever the dream of the ‘folk who write the program’ is. I have been following Montessori, Steiner, Permaculture and Natural learning methods for years and went to a high school where is was a disappointing fact that you had to return to year 11 or 12 because you didn’t get an apprenticeship. Unfortunately there are some who go to uni who, especially in first year, act like….a bit of a fool, perhaps, BUT they never last… they either fail OR change their attitude. It has more to do with having just finishing the HSC, relief and hormones. For some it is the first time they have felt free. I wish you, and everyone here, success on their ‘life long learning path’… that seems to be the only common thing we have some days.

Mummula

That was very kind of you thank you.

Your background is very interesting.

I have been frustrated trying to establish training and for regional areas especially.

I am also a animal lover so thought if i put together a programe to co join overseas purchases of meats and vegetable produducts together with tourism that would be a shot in the arm for the bush and Australia.

If you have time see> www.halakindmeats.com

I have written to The minister of Ag The minister of Trade local Governments and The Minister for Aboriginal and regional affairs etc.

I Travelled to Melbourne from the Gold Coast To see Family Firsts Steve Fielding [nothing] not even a cup of tea[grin] Or a glass of water. Mind you I know we are running short these days.
Must be the family training. [ Sorry couldnt resist]


He was busy putting his kids through uni too. That explains a lot!

Maybe I have a warped sense of humour Mummula but that cracks me up.

Kids learn or dont learn from the parents whats important and whats not.

Your schooling tells me you have intelligent parents.

The thing is many dont and this send the kids to uni even if they are not suitable and it has to stop.

I know not all kids are bludgers.

However unless Gold Coast is unique we have a lot of little monsters who think they should be treated as royalty because they go to after school as I call it.

God Help this country as they bring in the skilled and now the unskilled workers.

Not to mention the overseas uni students that really want to get somewhere like yourselves.

They really appreciate an education and most of them have actually rolled up their sleeves and jug a few holes or whatever on the family propertys back home.

Some of Our uni kids are lacking in lifes expereince of earning your own way.

Mummula you might find our farm school stay of interest.

You can click on AICOL through the link I gave you.