Rural and Remote Education - Qld
Rural
and Remote Education - Weipa
Notes of a meeting with students
from Ravenshoe High School, Qld - 8 July 1999
The students formed
into groups and each was asked to describe, evaluate and make suggestions
for change regarding one of the following topics
- Aboriginal Cultural
Studies and Language
- Subjects in Years
11 and 12
- Subjects in Years
8, 9 and 10
- Students who don't
attend school
- Drama and Music
- Teaching staff.
Aboriginal Cultural
Studies and Language
"We need more Aboriginal
teachers." "There should be more Aboriginal activities in school." "Studying
an Aboriginal language would make school more enjoyable and encourage
kids to come to school." "They don't teach us anything about Aboriginal
culture." "Should teach us things about the bush like bush tucker." "We
should study the language around the area." "Aboriginals don't get taught
about their culture."
"Studying Aboriginal
cultures would have to be by choice." "I would like to have the choice
to learn an Aboriginal language."
"The language taught
the most around here would probably be Japanese."
Subjects in Years
11 and 12
"There is a huge
jump from Year 10 to Year 11." "They expect us to do so many hours of
homework after school when most of us have other things to do." "Each
teacher sets so much homework that we have to decide which subject is
most important and only do that study." "All assignments and tests are
given at the same time . making it hard to study and/or have or enjoy
a social life." "Family life is more important than school."
"There is a lack
of practical activities in certain courses like physics." "There is nothing
creative to choose from." "Not enough specific subject for individuals
like Advance Tech, Drawing, Drama and Speech Development." "There are
restrictions for choosing subjects . if you choose Art you can't do graphics."
Subjects in Years
8, 9 and 10
"Teachers do not
explain work." "The Principal isn't supportive." "Teachers expect too
much from students and are too strict." "The subjects aren't fun or interesting
and they are repetitive."
Drama and Music
Loud support was
expressed for drama by these students who were all participating in the
1999 Croc Eisteddfod. "The fact is . we need drama." "Drama would be an
excellent skill for later in life but they're too slack to help us do
it." "I can sing but have no opportunities." "We requested drama but were
turned down . teachers say it's too much time and trouble." "I would like
to go on to do some sort of drama when I leave school and drama in school
would help." "Our talent needs to be recognised."
"[We got] great encouragement
from music teacher when questioned about using equipment after school
to form a band."
Students who don't
attend school
"It's a daily routine
and becomes boring to them." "They don't understand the importance of
school." "People leave school at Year 11 or 12 because it's too hard."
"About 70% of us are failing because the teachers are pushing too much
stuff at us and it's going through one ear and out the other."
"Sometimes the teachers
spend most time with slower students." "Sick of teachers' attitudes towards
slower students."
"Teachers ask too
much of the students when they don't know what happens outside of school
and put a lot of pressure on them to perform at school."
Teaching staff
There were both positive
and negative comments about Ravenshoe teachers.
"They expect a lot
from the students and not everybody can do the work." "They don't care
for the individual." "They don't explain things properly." "It seems as
though we are judged by the teachers." "When most of us ask questions
we get into trouble." "Teachers expect us to know stuff we don't know."
"Teachers use their
own time to spend with students after school to help them, eg, homework
classes." "Some teachers are really cool and you can go to them with a
lot of problems." "Some teachers help you understand the work and make
it fun at the same time."
Last
updated 2 December 2001.
