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.
