Tell me about Australian High Schools! (2 Viewers)

[addictedtobubbletea]

Australian schools Vs Singaporean schools (you probably know this already...)

• There is a difference between country schools and city schools. Schools in the city tend to yield better academic results than country schools.
• There is a difference between HSC mark and ATAR. Students here use the ATAR to apply for further study in universities. The ATAR is a rank.
• The whole moderation process and alignment can be found on youtube. Most do a pretty good job in explaining how these two processes that influences your internal mark which is 50% of your total HSC mark. But if you don’t wish to bother about this whole moderation and alignment process all you need to do is to rank first in your internal assessment and be enrolled in a competitive school. (I know it sounds terrible but its common knowledge and a real pain if you don’t come first in your assessments.) You can find extensive information and grievances in this forum posted from students about this whole ranking and moderation issue.)
• Since you have schooled in Singapore and I presume you are a good student. You are going to top the class here in Australia. You might probably get all band 6, E4. The Cambridge GCE A and O levels are rigorous in Singapore.
• There is a new syllabus in place since last year. 2019 HSC sitters are the first cohort who recently sat for the HSC which tested content on the new syllabus (NSW). Maths is the only subject that has been held back therefore 2020 HSC sitters are the first cohort to be tested on the new Maths syllabus. So... choosing textbooks may be a little tricky. Past papers even tricker.
• Sports is pretty important in the country. It is a way to socialise. I know someone who went for a scholarship interview at a particular university and the topic of conversation was dominated by rugby. (Personally, I’m a league follower.)
• Final note: You are going to be fine and would love it here. Singapore is too stressful. Best of luck.

Thank you so much! With regards to sports, would you recommend that I do an extracurricular sport on top of representative spot? Also how do Bands work? What is a Band 6 / E4?

 

[Cherrybomb56]

Thank you so much! With regards to sports, would you recommend that I do an extracurricular sport? Also how do Bands work? What is a Band 6 / E4?

Yeah you should, it's good for taking your stress out. Correct me if I am right but I think there is different structures for different subjects based on scaling and stuff.

 

[Zyphronic]

Thank you so much! With regards to sports, would you recommend that I do an extracurricular sport? Also how do Bands work? What is a Band 6 / E4?

Doing an extracurricular activity will definitely help. I personally have quite a few musical commitments but that's what keeps me from burning out. In regards to your question on Bands, there are 6 bands. Ideally, you would want to add for Band 6. Each of the bands have an allocated a mark range:

• Band 6 (90-100)
• Band 5 (80-89)
• Band 4 (70-79

etc.

In regards to E4, it is similiar to Bands but these apply to extension subjects.
Similarly, E4 has an allocated mark range as well:

• Band E4 = 45 - 50 mark Band
• E3 = 35 - 44 marks

etc.

I would recommend visiting this website for more clarification: https://arc2.nesa.nsw.edu.au/page/faq

 

[seremify007]

Extra curricular also helps significantly when it comes time to apply for a scholarship or other program (eg cadetships)... or just a job in general.

 

[Time&moretime]

Thank you so much! With regards to sports, would you recommend that I do an extracurricular sport on top of representative spot? Also how do Bands work? What is a Band 6 / E4?

One sporting activity could be enough to satisfy ‘a sporting requirement’. If you can make time for public speaking or debating, the better. It’s really a juggling act because one has to make time for school assessments and the HSC (top priority), sport, extra curricula activities and family. And for students who wish to apply for medicine, you need to make time for the UCAT ANZ which is another task on the list. In summary, you would need to imagine your resume and what it would contain. The HSC is a competitive process, the same goes for scholarships. Something to ponder during Christmas holidays.

 

[seremify007]

Keep in mind that whatever extracurricular activity you do whether it be sports, debating, chess, or whatever, it's not so much about the rank or result but rather what you learnt from the experience... or what it says about you as a person.

 

[Time&moretime]

Keep in mind that whatever extracurricular activity you do whether it be sports, debating, chess, or whatever, it's not so much about the rank or result but rather what you learnt from the experience... or what it says about you as a person.

True.

 

[addictedtobubbletea]

Doing an extracurricular activity will definitely help. I personally have quite a few musical commitments but that's what keeps me from burning out. In regards to your question on Bands, there are 6 bands. Ideally, you would want to add for Band 6. Each of the bands have an allocated a mark range:

• Band 6 (90-100)
• Band 5 (80-89)
• Band 4 (70-79

etc.

In regards to E4, it is similiar to Bands but these apply to extension subjects.
Similarly, E4 has an allocated mark range as well:

• Band E4 = 45 - 50 mark Band
• E3 = 35 - 44 marks

etc.

I would recommend visiting this website for more clarification: https://arc2.nesa.nsw.edu.au/page/faq

I see thank you!

 

[addictedtobubbletea]

Thank you all for your insightful points!

 

[seremify007]

An interesting article on education standards which compare Oz with Singapore (and others) > https://www.smh.com.au/education/al...t-result-in-global-tests-20191203-p53gie.html

 

[Drdusk]

An interesting article on education standards which compare Oz with Singapore (and others) > https://www.smh.com.au/education/al...t-result-in-global-tests-20191203-p53gie.html

Makes sense in countries like Singapore and especially Asian countries education is heavily emphasized and teachers are taken from the top percentile of students unlike Australia where you can get a 60 atar and become a teacher. Teachers are also highly respected there.

Not surprised as a country were falling behind tbh.

 

[seremify007]

Makes sense in countries like Singapore and especially Asian countries education is heavily emphasized and teachers are taken from the top percentile of students unlike Australia where you can get a 60 atar and become a teacher. Teachers are also highly respected there.

Not surprised as a country were falling behind tbh.

another interesting article including comparisons and experiences from Singapore!

In China, Nicholas studied maths 20 hours a week. In Australia, it's three

Australian students lag more than 3.5 years behind Chinese students in maths, with one student pointing to longer hours and a more cut-throat culture in China.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Cherrybomb56]

another interesting article including comparisons and experiences from Singapore!

In China, Nicholas studied maths 20 hours a week. In Australia, it's three

Australian students lag more than 3.5 years behind Chinese students in maths, with one student pointing to longer hours and a more cut-throat culture in China.

www.smh.com.au

wow seriously

 

[Cherrybomb56]

While the Australian education system definitely has its downsides, it also has its upsides. A lot of parents in Asia (especially from wealthier families and those with strong political ties) prefer to send their kids to western institutions so that they don't have to be subject to the rigid education regiment found in most Asian countries, as kids in the west generally receive a more well rounded education. There's articles about how a students from countries like China struggling to adapt to education in Australia, because in China they more or less learn more through rote memorisation and are taught to never question their teachers (though with China, this might be due to political reasons as well). I've heard similar stories in Korea and other Asian countries as well. Even Hong Kong, which has one of the most highly educated populations, suffers from this rote learning mentality. The suicide rates of students in Japan and Korea also paint a picture of how gruelling the education scene is there - the students just spend all day studying and don't have much time for anything else. In contrast, students in the west are taught to think outside the box, be creative, and question your teachers. I personally prefer the US education system, as it appears to spurn/foster the most amount of creativity, which is typically needed for technological innovation. In Australian, the education system is far from perfect, but I'd take it over studying in Asia any day of the week.

I heard that Australia is 3.5 years behind china?

 

[Cherrybomb56]

Firstly, in regards to what? Military? Sure - they're probably a century ahead of Australia. Standard of living and quality of life? Not a fat chance - give it another 50 years and we'll see.

I'm going to assume you're referring to technological difference between the two countries. Australia doesn't develop much technology - they buy it from other countries. That has more to do with government policy than anything else. The government here simply doesn't incentivize research - all they care about is coal. Australia also has the highest proportion of international students from China than any other country - so much so that they make up a significant portion of the population here now. In contrast, look at the number of students from the west who choose to study as international students in China (or any other Asian country for that matter). I'd guarantee you it'd only be a fraction.

There's a reason why so students from Asia flock to western universities and not vice versa. Many high ranking business and political elites from countries such as Russia, China, etc, all choose to send their students overseas to receive a western education. You don't really see it going the other way around.

Many Asian countries will score well ahead of the curve in areas like mathematics etc, beating out countries with many top academic institutions such as the US. However, a key thing to remember that is that western education isn't solely focused on book smarts. It also places significant emphasis on free thinking and creativity, which generally leads to a more well rounded education and an overall improved society.

EDIT: I realised the 3.5yrs refers to the previous article on how Australia is behind on math. This was addressed in the last paragraph.

Australian universities risk catastrophe due to over-reliance on Chinese students, expert warns

A new report reveals top-tier Australian universities are highly dependent on international students for revenue, with even a small decline in Chinese students threatening dire consequences.

www.abc.net.au

No even our teacher told us this. I meant education wise. Lol it's okay.