Principal's address

Senior

ATAR school tables are of little value

I received again this year a congratulatory letter from the Catholic Education on our wonderful academic results in the ATAR results. Whilst good academic performance is important, it is only a part, I believe, of the true measure of what makes a great school and a good education.

I remember reading in the newspapers after the London riots of 2011, that approximately half of rioters charged in the courts had the government’s gold academic standard of 5 A*-C grades. It is a fact that academic performance alone will not guarantee your child success and true happiness as an adult.

The primary aim of an Aquinas College education is not just to achieve academically but to assist our parents to educate their children in accordance with the teachings and values of the Gospels. That is, the formation of young people who live their faith; people of good character who find a sense of happiness in Christ by serving and supporting others.

In his book 'Parenting for Character', Andrew Mullins argues that character equals good habits. He argues that happiness in adult life is largely determined by the good habits we have formed in our character – habits of optimism, generosity, honesty, loyalty, self-control, and clear-headed problemsolving. These habits are the foundation of happiness.

Habits alone, however, are insufficient - they need good values. Stalin had well-developed habits of action but little conscience! I guess to put it into perspective, how easy it is for all of us to fall into the trap of working for selfish materialistic reasons. It is through our parents and our faith, we form conscience and establishes values to guide us.

The College, through our character education program, aims to consolidate in your child the good habits or virtues that you are forming in them, to help build behaviours motivated by a loving and responsible attitude to others. The acquisition of a good ATAR or Certificate is an important aspect of this aim; they are, however, only a minor part of what constitutes good schooling and a good education.

David McFadden Principal