COVID-19 and national lockdown laws impacted us all greatly, but for the students who are completing their final year of high school in the midst of a pandemic, the situation for some has been nothing short of disastrous. 

Students were sent home to undertake home learning, with digital learning becoming a part of their new everyday life. Study groups were no more, in fact, contact with anyone outside their own household was off the cards. 

On top of navigating the education obstacles, there were also emotional challenges to deal with, such as the loss of regular physical and extracurricular activities, and mental health strain.

Here are three integral steps you can take now to help your student go from struggle and stress, to straight As in time for the QCE.

Trying to navigate ATAR? Read our ATAR FAQ’s

1) Determine the cause for the grade slip

There could be many reasons your child has seen their results go backwards. The first step is to determine what could have caused the decline in the first place. For example – is your child overwhelmed with all of the changes and the rapid rate at which their educational goal posts are moving? Did the change in their daily routine leave them with feelings of anxiety or simply struggling to get back into the daily grind of being back in the classroom with assessments coming at them thick and fast? Have they experienced social issues with changed friendships since they were last in the classroom? 

Whatever the cause, it is important to address the reason behind the results. Ask them how they are feeling about all of the recent changes in their life, and see if you can get to the root of the problem. If you are having trouble – it might be worthwhile seeking professional assistance such as an appointment with the school counsellor who can help you in facilitating a meaningful conversation with your teen. 

2) Did their time management and goals change?

Without the need to rise early in the morning and get themselves into the classroom, did your child struggle to get up and get moving in the mornings? Has this impacted them greatly with fatigue issues now that they have returned back to their school campus? A shift in a young adult’s energy levels could be part of the reason they are finding school a little more difficult post-lockdown. 

It is also possible that the career goals of your child have changed since being in lockdown, meaning particular subjects have become less appealing to them and the focus has been shifted. 

It can be tough to rally the enthusiasm for that last push after twelve and a half years of schooling, but it is really important to help your young person find that motivation to get across the finish line and get the ATAR score they have been striving for. If you need to implement structure and routine back into their day, the school holidays are a great time to hit the reset button and help them to hit the ground running for the start of their final term at school. 

Help them to define what their goals are, and clarify the steps they need to take to get them back on track to success. They may need help structuring a new routine to help them with their study goals – whatever it is they need, your support is going to be key in the last few months of their school career. 

3) Did the mid-term assessments reflect their learning preferences or is this an anomaly?

Did your child see a dip in grades in the first semester of Year 12? Did the absence from the physical classroom mean that they missed the push from their teachers to knuckle down and treat their mid-year exams like a trial run for the QCEs? It could be really easy to blame COVID and assume that all other students across the state were similarly impacted, but it’s time to bring the focus back onto your child and what went wrong for them.

Was the learning language unfamiliar to them? Could a tutor be the answer to sharpening your student’s study skills leading up to their final exams? 

A Team Tuition helps students – particularly those in their final stages of learning – to reach their full potential, and it’s not too late to enlist our help for your child. Learn more about how we helped some kids change their results from Cs to As in less than six months. 

Turning it around is about diagnosing the setback and putting real, actionable strategies in place to overcome the poor grades. As a parent, you’ve probably had just about enough of this whole “educator” thing.  That’s okay, we offer intensive ATAR tutoring blocks that all start with overcoming everything above. This is your last chance to help your child kick academic goals when it counts the most. 

Could ATAR tutoring be the answer for your child? Contact A Team Tuition today!

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What Type of Jobs Are in The Creative Arts

Stage Manager

A stage manager organises the day to day running of a theatre company. They make sure the whole production from inception to the final performance runs smoothly by working with people such as the director, choreographer, composer, lighting designer and costume designer, bringing all the different elements together to ensure the show runs smoothly. If you have done drama but on but wanted to be more involved with the backstage running of the production, this may be the career for you. Studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama or acting, Bachelor of Theatre or a Bachelor of Creative Arts are university pathways for this career.

Music Business Manager

A music business manager is someone who represents artists and musicians and focuses on the financial side of things. They will work with advertising, negotiating contracts, how to collect royalties and how to invest and collect their money. If you like doing music as a subject, don’t want to be a musician but still be involved in the industry, this may be the career for you. There are very few music business degrees, but a Bachelor of Business can also help you get into a career in music business management, especially if you do a minor or take classes in music or arts!

Sound Technician

A sound technician sets up, tests and operates equipment for the specific area such as tv or radio production. Sound technicians are employed by tv studios, radio stations, film production companies, concert venues, theatre companies, sound recording studios and some work freelance. This is a great career for anyone who loves music or the audio and sound element of film & tv subjects. Suggested university degrees such as Bachelor or other degree in Audio or Audio Production or a Bachelor of Creative Industries are University pathways that can help kickstart a career as a sound technician.

Production Assistant

A production assistant works on film or tv sets and completes a very wide variety of tasks such as discussing with the director how a scene should be shot, setting up props on set, calling out when filming, inputting computer data, completing errands for any person in the production team and working with extras or actors.  If you love film subjects at school, this may be a career for you! This is a position that there is no formal study needed, but a degree in Film and TV or a general Arts degree can help you get into this field. There is also tons of room for growth in this role to move on to being a producer or director!

Graphic Designer

A graphic designer communicates concepts through images, words or other types of graphics to build visuals that can be used in advertising or promotions. Their goal is to make the brand recognizable and memorable; this can also include collaboration with other creative professionals such as other artists and animators. For someone that does visual art and loves creating but can also work well with creative computer technologies, this would be a great career. Specific degrees such as Bachelor of Graphic Design, Media Design and Digital Media Design or a Bachelor of Fine arts, majoring in graphic design can launch graduates into this type of career.

Community Arts Worker

An arts educator identifies aspirations, gaps or areas of need in a community, through consultation and discussion. They then design strategies to facilitate and encourage community arts projects, events and activities to improve the community cultural value. Community arts workers can be for any area of the arts, there can be visual arts projects such as a town mural, as well as theatre projects for youth or music concerts. A university degree or extensive experience in your specialist field of arts is necessary for this role, although a degree in Community Services would also be helpful.

Arts Educator

Arts educators operate in museums or art galleries, educating the public on the types of works in the gallery or art in general. They can run classes or workshops for many different groups of people, from beginners to advanced and kids to adults. This is a great career for someone who loves visual arts and wants to educate others but not necessarily in a school setting. A Bachelor of Arts, Creative Arts or Fine Arts majoring or specialising in anything is a university degree to get into this career.

Production Manager

A production manager is one of the most important people on a film or tv set. They are in charge of budgets, hiring of crew, finding location, shooting schedules and management of day-to-day life on a production. This career would suit someone who enjoyed doing film & tv subjects. There are many university courses such as a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Communications, Bachelor of Media Studies or a Bachelor of Acting or Theatre, that can help get you into a career in this area but they aren’t totally necessary for a career in production management.

Teacher

Teachers share their love of their chosen creative art with students in a school setting. As you know (being in school) these teachers can inspire, support and encourage students. There are teachers for early childhood, primary or secondary across all of the arts, including drama, visual art, dance, music and film & tv. Doing degrees such as Bachelor of Education or a double degree with a Bachelor of Arts or Creative Arts and Bachelor of Education are the beginning of a pathway to this career.

Set Designer

A set designer takes the vison of a director or a script from a writer and turns it into a set for a live theatre piece, a tv show or a movie. They research, design and supervise the construction of sets and scenery. They work with artists of all kinds to turn this vision into a reality. If you love doing large scale art works in Visual art at school, this could be a career for you! Having a degree in Fine or Creative Arts or Bachelor of Design can help you get into this career.

Marketing Officer

There are many different roles within a marketing team but generally they develop a company or brand image, build marketing materials and identify and analyse an organisations strengths and weaknesses to develop marketing strategies. They also make decisions about specific products for example the pricing, labels, distribution and advertising. This career combines the creativity of the visual art with the people skills developed in drama, if you love either of these subjects, this may be a great career for you. A Bachelor of Business, Commerce, Business Administration, Marketing or Communication are great degrees to help you get started in the marketing industry.

There are so many different options if you love doing creative arts. Here at A Team, we can help you get the marks you find the creative career that is right for you. Your academic personal trainer will work with you to set goals and figure out the path that is needed to get you where you want to be!

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If you think you might need those bonus points to get into the university course of your dreams, we’ve got all the insider info to get you on the right track. We’ll help you navigate the tricky world of understanding ATAR bonus points, and whether you’re eligible for them. And we’ll address those pregnancy rumours you’ve been hearing so much about! Read on to find out more.

What are ATAR bonus points, and how does it work?

With all the crazy rumours flying around, it’s never been more important to understand what ATAR bonus points are and how the system works so you can make the right decision for your future.

Bonus points are now known as adjustment factors. It’s important to know that any adjustment factors don’t actually add to your overall ATAR score. They’re just extra points that tertiary institutions (such as TAFEs and universities) add on top of a student’s ATAR to boost their selection ranking when applying to a specific university course. Your ATAR remains the same.

Each institution has its own specific criteria for what these adjustment factors are and when they apply. They might not be applicable for all courses or even for all students. All institutions limit the maximum number of adjustments that apply to your ATAR or selection rank. Some may choose to limit the increase to your score by only 5 points. Visit the website of the university you’re interested in to see if they provide information about their specific criteria. The Queensland University of Technology (QUT), for instance, provides its applicants with a maximum of 10 adjustment factors or ATAR bonus points.

What types of criteria exist? How do I know if I qualify?

There are a few common types of adjustment factors that most universities agree should boost your score. These include:

• Experiencing financial hardship
• Disruptive home environments
• Increased responsibilities at home
• A disability, injury, or illness/health condition
• A disruption to your education – the coronavirus this year is an excellent example of this!

When you apply to your university course through QTAC, you’ll be able to select these adjustment factors through the Educational Access Scheme or EAS.

In special circumstances, there are also other types of adjustment factors that may apply to you. These can include:

• If your school has a strong relationship with a particular university, you may apply for adjustment factors.
• If you’re excelling at a particular subject that applies to the degree you’re interested in, you might apply for bonus points.
• If you’re a current Year 12 applicant and you’ve undertaken specific secondary subjects or university enrichment courses, you may be eligible for bonus points. This is known as subject adjustment.
• If you live or attend a school that is rural or within a particular region, you might find a few extra points padding your ATAR. Universities might refer to this as location adjustment.
• If you excel at a certain sport, or you’re talented at music, dancing, debating, drama, or anything of this sort, then you might have lost a fair amount of study time due to other commitments. Universities can take this into account, and offer ATAR adjustment factors.
• If you live somewhere the university deems important, you might receive bonus points.
• If you didn’t do as well as you’d hoped with your ATAR score despite killing it in the grades department at school, recommendations from your teachers or your school could go a long way in convincing your university to fling a few points your way!
• If you’ve displayed exceptional leadership qualities or you were the school captain, you might also qualify for adjustment factors.
• If you’re of Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander descent.

Is pregnancy something that is considered?

So if illness or hardship is something that universities take into account, that should mean that pregnancy would be considered as an adjustment factor, right? Not necessarily. If you’re looking to get pregnant simply to increase your ATAR bonus points, you’ll likely wind up disappointed. Pregnancy is not the same as illness, cancer, or coronavirus, and given that bonus points are added at the discretion of the university you apply to, it’s highly likely they’ll choose to decline. If anything, you’ll be adding to the barriers preventing you from gaining entry to the university course of your dreams, and in time, the career you’ve always wanted.

You might have heard that you or even your entire grade may be eligible for ATAR bonus points if one of your classmates gets pregnant. This is also false.

For more information on ATAR scores, ATAR tutoring, or ATAR adjustment factors, visit A Team Tuition and book a tutoring session today!

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There are so many options to choose from yet if you have no idea what you want to do, it can be even harder to know where to start.

Whether you have it sorted, partially pieced together, or completely clueless, many different strategies can be used to choose a university course.

You’ve just got to take it one step at a time.

Which University Course Should I Choose? Where to begin

With courses, careers, qualifications, and prerequisites, how are you supposed to weigh all the requirements?

Consider taking a deeper look into the biographical bullseye charts from the Department of Education, Skills, and Employment. Each poster asks you a simple question about an interest of yours. From there, they spread the potential careers into levels based on the qualification needed.

Another approach that is not nearly used enough to sift through careers and courses is eliminating what you already know you don’t want to do.

Some may think this approach might be limiting, but for the time being it is a start. This can be canceling a field (trades, sciences, maths, etc.) or a particular career (IT, hospitality, what your parents do, etc.).

From then, you can sift through the remaining courses and the careers they lead to, or from ideal careers, to the qualifications you’ll need to get there.

Learn more about our specialist ATAR Intensive Tutoring Programs

Careers to Courses

This methodology works for those who have an idea of what they want to do as a job and requires research into the pathways that can get them there.

For example, an aspiring medical mind wanting to become a doctor will research courses (eg. Bachelor of Medicine) and what the course provides. After talking to a few doctor-friends of your parents, they might mention something that would help your learning such as hands-on experience. That’s where internships, work experience, and other similar programs will give you an edge.

For those who haven’t quite gotten to that stage, have a go at these steps:

1. Visualise your dream job

In order to see a potential career for yourself, answer the following questions:

• What field do you want to work in?
• What ideas excite you?
• Where do you want to work?
• Do you want to work in the office or out in the world? With a large group or on your own? Traveling or staying in one place?

If you can piece together what your ideal work environment looks like, that can inform the type of career that accommodates it.

2. Career Quizzes

Career quizzes are great for pitting your options against each other to grant you the opportunity to compare and pick which appeals to you more. By completing these quizzes, you can start the career search based on the options presented to you at the end. From the favourable comes the reverse-engineering of what qualification will get you there.

The first quiz provides a breakdown of your personality and connects you with your strengths, areas for improvement, what you would look for in a role and a list of potential careers. After creating a free account, you will be able to use the resources attached to your account to keep track of your ideas and pathways to get there.

Another quiz follows the same format as the previous but instead of the additional extras, the careers given as results have additional information attached to them about salary, popularity, future demand, and the skills required.

3. Research

The best way to learn is from experience, so seek someone with experiences to share. Through talking to people in the field, you can gain first-hand insight into what they do day-to-day, what their work looks like, commitments and opportunities, and what they wish they knew in your position. On top of this, ask them about their qualifications, where they studied, and if they would suggest any studies they wished they undertook. All of this information will bring to light the pathway to a job that might be your perfect fit.

Research companies that provide that kind of position, attempt to pair your dream job with a hobby and don’t forget to take into account lifestyle.

Of course, if it doesn’t work out for you, try another one.

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Courses to Careers

Contrastingly to the process above, this method works for those who have an idea of what they want to study beyond school but don’t know where that will get them.

For instance, an Arts degree is a broad degree that allows freedom for the student to pick various electives from multiple fields whilst majoring in their main interest. Yet such a broad scope of learning won’t always lead to a specific career.

1. What you need to know

For this process, you’ll need to have an idea of what field you want to go into. This allows you to direct your course choice in the right direction. Then it is a matter of researching what courses are offered at which universities and comparing the experiences you will have.

Using a Bachelor of Arts as an example again, it is offered at almost every university. So when it comes to differentiating where you will study, that’s when researching which universities offer particular electives and additional experiences is vital.

2. Course Seeker

As you can imagine with as many as 40 universities each with over 700 diplomas, bachelor degrees, masters, and doctorates on offer, it is a drain working your way through every option at every university site.

Some websites compile all the available courses in one place from universities around Australia. This gives you a one-stop-shop to search and compare preliminary information about various courses (ATAR, duration, location, etc.).

It is highly advised that when you pick courses to pursue, visit the university site to view the study patterns and what you will be learning to predetermine if the content will interest you.

3. Research

Alike to the first method, research is best conducted through conversations with people who have gone through the process before you.

If you are starting to think about choosing a university course, there are so many options out there and that’s why starting early, talking about it, using the people around you, and running with multiple ideas are crucial strategies that will lead you to the course and the job of your dreams.

So get on it, there is work to do!

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When I was in school, I ended up choosing English, Maths B (now called Maths Methods), Biology, Chemistry, Economics and Music which gives me a diverse understanding of the different elective areas and I used thinking steps to help me choose these subjects. I hope the advice that I used can be useful to you in picking the subjects that will give you the most success and fun in your last 2 years of schooling!

Why Are Electives Important In High School

Regardless of what career pathways you’re interested in, it’s important to choose elective subjects that relate to what you’re considering. Even if they aren’t prerequisites for the degree you’re interested in, exploring those subjects further can help you gain a better understanding of whether you’re genuinely interested in going forward with it as a career and can give you an extra “edge” if you eventually study it in university.

Also, you should always check what elective requirements you need for certain degrees. You can find this information by going to university websites and travelling to the degrees you’re interested in. All universities are slightly different with their requirements but this is a general guide of suggestions and common requirements you often need.

Electives For STEM pathways

For STEM related degrees, many universities require you to do Math Methods as a requirement as well as General English so those are essential. Without these subjects, most universities won’t accept you. In terms of recommended subjects for science, I’d recommend one or even two science electives based on what sciences you’re interested in as some universities such as UQ require one science not including Psychology.

With technology fields, ICT or Technology electives aren’t prerequisites but definitely recommended to choose anyways and with Engineering and Maths, some universities require you to do Specialist Maths as well as Methods so choosing it as one of your 4 free elective spots (with English and Methods taking one spot each) would be useful in the long-run.

Electives For Humanities pathways

Depending on whether you’re looking at creative arts or more theoretical arts such as history, it’s important to cater to what you’re interested in. Luckily, the only elective requirement you need is any ATAR English subject whether that be General English, Literature, English Extension or EAL. For creative arts like drama, music and art, you’re required to go through an audition process or submit a portfolio of your work, so choosing those subjects in high school can help you improve your skills and even become a part of your portfolio or acting resumé after school.

Electives for Classical Arts

Classical arts, such as history and languages do not have any special perquisites but doing Modern history, Ancient history or even both  in school can help you to develop essential research and analytical skills and starting to learn the language before university can be a big help and expand your horizons.

Electives for Business or Law

Business and Law are both interesting to talk about in terms of elective subjects as usually subjects such as Legal Studies, Economics and Accounting are only available in Year 11 and 12. This means you may have never done anything like this before, and it can be hard to know what to expect.

If you’re looking towards business or law as a career, it’s important to choose these electives if they are offered at your school. They will expose you to the field  and help you confirm whether it’s what you really want to do.

In terms of prerequisites for university, English is still a must for both law and business. However, depending on where you wish to study,  some universities require Maths Methods specifically or just any one ATAR maths subject so in order to keep your university options open, it would be useful to choose Math Methods.

Electives for Education

Although there is no specific education elective in school, future teachers need a few subjects up their belt. For people looking towards being a primary teacher, you’re required to pick one ATAR English subject, one ATAR Maths subject and one ATAR science subject. For secondary education teachers, some universities offer secondary education as a single degree or as a dual degree with the teaching area you wish to teach whether its science, arts or something else. Regardless of how you wish to take your degree, all secondary teachers are expected to have one ATAR English subject, one ATAR Math subject and 2 subjects to teach. These 2 teaching subjects can include English and or Maths but its important to start thinking about know what subjects you would want to teach as a secondary teacher and select them as part of your subject selection

Electives for Medicine

For many universities, the Doctor of Medicine (also known as “Med school”) is only available as a postgraduate degree meaning you’re first required to undertake an undergraduate Bachelor’s Degree that is usually related to medicine such as Bio-medical Science. Undertaking the UCAT test in Year 12 and getting a great result as well as an ATAR 95 in most cases can grant you what is called “provisional entry” which is automatic acceptance after completion of the Bachelor’s degree.

Before that however, it’s important to choose Maths Methods and Biology as many of the Bachelor degree options Medicine allows are science degrees which require Methods and one science with Biology being the main aspect of medicine and related studies.  As a second elective you could also choose Chemistry as Biochemistry and Pharmacology are also important aspects of medicine but are not compulsory.

What if I don’t know what I want to do as a career or I change my mind?

If you’re unsure as to what you want to do for a career, there is no pressure to know for certain right now. Even people who seem to be sure as to what they want to do in Year 10, may change their mind between now and graduation, and  may even change their mind during their university degree. This is all completely normal. Whether you’re unsure as to what you want to do or you’re worried you might change your mind it’s important to choose a diverse range of subjects and choose subjects that you’ve enjoyed so far and that you’ve excelled in.

Choosing Based on Your Strengths

Not all of your electives will relate towards your career and if you don’t know what you’re planning to do outside of school, thinking about your current strengths and weaknesses is important, especially when ATAR is based on how well you do in the subjects you choose.A first step to figure out what subjects you’re good at is looking at your past subject marks and results. If music or art were your best subjects then it’s probably good to stick with them in Year 11 or 12 even if you’re not interested in pursuing those arts after school. If science was one of your best subjects, it would be a good idea to choose one or even two sciences as part of your electives.  Other than grades, think about the types of assessment you preferred or were good at. Do you like assignments more than exams? Or maybe exams over assignments? If you hate doing assignments for example, then it’s probably not a good idea to choose subjects with a lot of assignments such as History. Since assignments and exams are what you’re marked on, thinking about what type of assessments you’re good at or enjoy is a crucial step to choosing your subjects.

What do you enjoy?

Subjects that you enjoy may not be your best subject but they’re important as doing subjects you enjoy will in turn, make the work in that subject feel more bearable and easier as a result. These subjects can be the subjects you work on while you need a break from your more mentally challenging subjects

“I have one more elective I need to pick but nothing else seems good/interesting”
If this is you, then it can seem difficult to decide what else you want to do. You’ve picked all the subjects you want but it’s still not enough subjects.

In that case, I first recommend having a look at all the new elective options that weren’t available until now. If you enjoy humanities, looking at Legal Studies or Psychology if you’re interested in science. Don’t dismiss them too early as they could be hidden gems that you would have had no idea you enjoy and could be good at and so have a closer look into the subject outline as to what you would be learning or ask a teacher about it.

You could also consider extension subjects in areas that you are interested in such as English Extension or Music extension which count as an additional elective when you also pick standard English or Music.

Hopefully this guide was useful to you in picking your Year 11 and 12 subjects and made this seemingly daunting task a little bit easier. If you’re still unsure as to what to do, you can discuss it with your parents and teachers, and work through your options with your academic personal trainer in order to make the best decisions for you and have the most success possible in your final years at school.

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Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

Looking for Alibrandi tells a wonderful story about Josephine Alibrandi, a second generation Italian-Australian, who is in her final year of high school. Set against the backdrop of sunny Sydney, Josephine goes through many life changing experiences, and a journey of self-growth. As a first generation Australian, I absolutely loved reading this novel, and could empathise with many of the experiences and thoughts that Josephine had. Furthermore, as a proud Sydneysider, the familiarity of locations in the novel also helped me to grow to love the novel. Josephine’s strong voice, echoing the experiences and tensions of being a dual identity high schooler is a story for the times, and will teach your children, as it taught me, to be resilient, empathetic and accepting. This novel would suit students who enjoy watching characters go on a journey of self growth.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park’s simple love story has warmed the hearts of children for a long time. Eleanor and Park, two kids from Nebraska, who share a love of comic books and mixtapes of music from the 80s, slowly begin to care and fall in love for each other. Rowell’s sweet and caring voice divulges into serious and intense issues that plague many teenagers. I fell deeply in love with Rowell’s voice, and the realism of the characters and the issues they faced. Eleanor and Park’s self growth during the novel is one that your children can empathise with as well, as they journey in both Eleanor and Park’s high school life and their own. For those who enjoy a sweet and simple love story, this book is for you!

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Despite Lee’s acclaimed novel being written over 50 years ago, the themes that Lee uncovers, through the innocent perspective of Scout Finch, could not be more prevalent for modern society. A staple of modern American history, Lee’s novel is bound to make your child more aware of events in society, and their approaches to friendships, relationships and worldly events. I was so profoundly moved by Lee’s writing and the characters, particularly the narrator’s father, Atticus Finch, who became and is still somewhat of a role model for me. Atticus and his two children, the narrator, Scout and her brother Jem, taught me, and will teach your children, to approach serious issues with love and warmth, and be kind and equal with one another. For those who enjoy learning about current social issues in an enlightening way, this book checks all those boxes!

Laurinda by Alice Pung

In the form of letters, Pung’s acclaimed novel is centred on Lucy Lam, who has won a scholarship to the prestigious Laurinda Ladies Academy in Melbourne, Australia. The timid eyes of Lucy are taken on a new journey when a trio of girls in her new grade, known as the Cabinet, take her under their wing, and attempt to help her settle into her new school. I bought this book on a whim and empathised with it wholly, from the Asian background of Lucy, to the class differences between her and her fellow classmates and so on. Lucy’s initial timid voice, which grows to be strong, proud and layered, is a journey that your child will engage with wholeheartedly and the brave efforts of Lucy to find her identity in a world so different to hers is truly a remarkable feat. This novel suits those who enjoy a simple but empowering story.

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins’ riveting science fiction trilogy took the world by storm when it was released and still holds a special place in the hearts of many young adults around the world. Set in a dystopian future, the novels follow Katniss Everdeen, as a competitor in the annual Hunger Games, where tributes from the 12 districts of the nation are put up for sacrifice. Intense as it may sound, the gripping nature of Collins’ writing and Everdeen’s character, as well as the originality of the plot, has made this series a favourite of mine and even now, I read the novels with the same awe as I did when I first read it. Katniss taught me and will teach your children, the value of courage and strength, how important relationships with your friends and family are, and to fight for what’s right. If you enjoy different and dystopian novels, this book is for you!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusack

Set against the backdrop of World War 2, the novel follows young adult Liesl in Germany who learns how to read from her foster family and shares books with a Jewish refugee in her home. Zusack’s interesting choice of narrator, the accurate historical depictions of World War 2, as well as a mutual love of reading with Liesl has made this book one of my all-time favourites. Furthermore, Liesl’s self-journey of discovery is poignantly described and uncovered, and any young high schooler will empathise greatly with Liesl’s character. As such, the novel taught me, as well as other readers, that nothing should get in the way of chasing your passion, and to make every day count. For those who love modern history and passionate discoveries, this book is for you!

Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

The plot of this fantastic novel follows a group of teenagers who have returned to their Australian hometown from a camping trip and see that a war has begun. With no idea where their respective families are, the group are forced to adapt to their new circumstances and grow to build relationships stronger than ever. I remember reading this book for the first time and feeling both absolutely terrified and entertained at the prospect of waking up the next day and a war occurring. Marsden’s concoction of a seemingly impossible event in Australia, as well as the intricate characters of the main group creates a gripping tale of friendship, mateship and courage, with such aspects encouraged to blossom in the novel’s readers. Children who love a gripping and intense dystopian tale would love this novel!

Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas

Fantasy is such an excellent genre for your child to escape to during the holidays! The Throne of Glass Series follows female assassin Celaena as she uncovers discoveries and secrets whilst working in a corrupt kingdom under a tyrannical ruler. The fantastical landscape that Maas has created, as well as the strong central character of Celaena was breath-taking to read. Celaena’s strong-mindedness and resilience in the face of obstacles, particularly when there seems to be no positive light or outcome in problems that she faces, is admirable, and something that I found myself wanting to build upon whilst reading the book. In particular, Celaena’s resilience aligns with the A Team I.N.S.P.I.R.E acronym, which APTs continually reiterate in their lessons with students, and will be a fantastic option for your child to relate to! For those who love escaping to other fantastical realms and worlds, this book is for you!

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

Despite the melancholic title and artworks of the novels, Snicket’s magnum opus profoundly touches on philosophical, ethical and moral values, themes which you might not expect in young adult fiction. The series follows the Baudelaire children, who after a fire which has killed their parents, are bounced around to different foster parents, however are continually hunted down Count Olaf who is after the Baudelaire fortune. The gothic and Victorian context, Snicket’s own contributions to the events of the novels and the sheer resilience of the Baudelaire children as they are plagued with ‘unfortunate events’ one after another, makes for an incredible piece of fiction, and will encourage strong morals, values and character in your child, as they did for me. This series is fantastic for those who enjoy tales of perseverance and historical fiction!

Holes by Louis Sachar

Louis Sachar introduced us to the beloved literary character of Stanley Yelnats, whose palindromic name was only the beginning of the many things that readers would love about the character and novel. Stanley, who has recently relocated to juvenile detention centre,  Camp Green Lake, finds out that he has distant familial connections to the Camp, and grows from being a brash, rude child, to a mature and accepting young adult. The layers of the plot, the variation in types of characters, and representation of people of colour was truly outstanding, and to this day, remains one of my favourite books because of these factors. The ability of Sacher to touch on adult themes of racism, illiteracy, arranged marriages and homelessness in a childlike manner, will open your child’s eyes to the issues around them, and encourage them to be more aware and kind to people around them. Holes is great for those who love family stories and histories, as well as layered plots and characters.

The post Must Read Books For Your High Schooler These Holiday appeared first on A Team Tuition.

Although there are a few different ways to become an architect, students normally have to complete an accredited architecture degree program and most of these programs will have a minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) that will need to be met. While entry to university was previously based on a student’s Overall Position (OP), the new ATAR system has many  benefits and will be the standard used going forward in Queensland. So, what is the minimum ATAR for architecture in Queensland? Read on to find out.

What ATAR is Needed for Architecture? 

In order to use the title “architect” in Queensland, you must hold a qualification recognised by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia (AACA), have at least two years’ experience in architectural work, and have passed the AACA Architectural practice examination.

However, before all of that happens, you must meet the academic requirements and achieve the minimum ATAR for architecture set by Queensland post-secondary institutions offering study programs in this field. Although some drawing and computer skills may need to be demonstrated before being accepted into a program, prerequisite subjects generally include English and mathematics. If your child has their sights set on architecture, it’s important to focus on these areas – and if they need a little extra help, we have a team of professional tutors who can help them to achieve top marks in these subjects.

While some universities have the minimum ATAR for architecture degree programs landing in the mid 60s, others require minimums in the 80s and even higher for guaranteed entry.

Is your child concerned that they won’t have the minimum ATAR for architecture required to get into the university program of their choice? 

Our highly experienced team can help.

What is the Required ATAR for Architecture at Queensland Universities?

Bachelor of Architectural Design University of Queensland

• The ATAR for Architecture at The University of Queensland is 84 (OP 8) and is a 3-year program
• Students will have access to the latest technologies and resources, as well as guidance from professional architects
• International study tours are also available
• Graduates can continue with the Master of Architecture program which is accredited by regulation boards across the country.

Bachelor of Design (Architecture) Queensland University of Technology

• QUT offers a 3-year full time/ 6-year part time internationally recognised architecture degree focusing on innovation and sustainable development.
• The lowest ATAR for architecture to receive an offer for entry to this program in the first semester of 2020 was 82 (OP 9).
• Guaranteed entry is available for this program if you achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 93.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements.

Bachelor of Architectural Design Griffith 

• The ATAR for architecture at Griffith is 69.35 for their 3-year full time/ 6-year part time course.
• This degree provides a stepping stone and an approved pathway program to the professionally accredited Master of Architecture program also offered at Griffith.

Griffith also offers the following related courses:

• Bachelor of Construction Management (same entry minimum as the ATAR for architecture)
• Bachelor of Urban and Environmental Planning (ATAR 63.15)

Bachelor of Design in Architecture at Bond University

Bond’s architectural studies program allows students to get hands on experience with state-of-the-art technology, enjoy small class sizes, and learn from industry leading architects.

• The ATAR for architecture design at Bond is 75 (OP 12)

Bachelor of Building Design Central Queensland University

While CQU doesn’t have an architecture undergrad program per se, their Building Design degree program does offer graduates a chance to provide design solutions for residential and commercial buildings and work for and alongside engineers, architects, city planners, large scale developers and within government departments.

• The entry requirements for this program are similar to the ATAR for architecture at other universities with students needing an ATAR of 66.

Calculating your ATAR Score for a degree in architecture

Students and parents alike are becoming more familiar with how the new ATAR system works and how it’s brought Queensland in line with other areas in Australia in 2020. For those just learning about the new system now, this beginner’s guide to understanding ATAR is an excellent starting point. The ATAR is calculated using a complex system of a student’s assessments and exam marks, school rankings and scaling. Most often, a combination of English, Maths and Science options are used to calculate the ATAR for architecture in Queensland. For a more detailed understanding of how the ATAR is calculated, visit QTAC’s detailed ATAR guide.

How to get into architecture without an ATAR

If you don’t have the required ATAR for architecture, there are still options. Many universities take the following options into consideration:

• Tertiary Preparation Programs
• VET qualifications
• Prior post-secondary education
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
• Previous professional experience in a related field
• Verified employment experience (length of time and type of work is often considered)

While bridging programs and vocational experience are some of the most common ways to enter a degree program without the required ATAR, contact the specific school your child is interested in attending to find out more about their specific requirements

How to achieve the ATAR for Architecture in Queensland

Although architecture can be a competitive field in Queensland, the ATAR for architecture does vary from school to school. So as long as your child is flexible about which program and school they will be happy with, they should have a few options. However, as there are not a lot of universities that offer bachelor degrees in this area, if your child is set on a specific school or program, they will need to ensure that they have the necessary ATAR for architecture that will enable them to secure a spot. If your child needs a little extra boost in confidence or motivation, or needs extra help reaching their potential in a particular subject, A Team Tuition’s elite educators can create a customized program just for your child.

What ATAR do you need to be an architect?

Regardless of what ATAR is needed to be an architect, your child should strive to achieve the highest marks possible in their final high school years to have the best chance of getting into the program of their choice. However, in addition to good grades, architects need to be detail oriented, have an eye for aesthetics and be excellent communicators. After completing a degree course, architects must register with the Architects Registration board and meet the application requirements which include education, professional experience and sitting an architectural exam administered by the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia. If your child is prepared to meet these requirements and commit to a career in this field, A Team Tuition can help them to design the future of their dreams.

Looking at other career paths? Find out the ATAR scores needed for:

ATAR for Teaching

ATAR for Dentistry

ATAR for Nursing

ATAR for Electrical Engineering

ATAR for Medicine 

ATAR for Law

The post Find Out What ATAR is Needed for Architecture in Queensland appeared first on A Team Tuition.

This year, high school students will be some of the first to navigate the changes brought about by the switch from the Overall Position (OP) ranking system to the new Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). The new ATAR system brings numerous benefits, however, it may take some getting used to. Regardless of how the scores are determined, high school students looking towards a career in this field should continue to focus on English, maths, sciences and physical education, and strive for the highest possible grades in these courses.

What ATAR is Needed for Physiotherapy?

What ATAR do you need to study physiotherapy in Queensland? That depends on which university and program you decide to apply for – but be prepared to aim high in all of your high school courses to have the very best chance of getting into the school of your dreams. The required ATAR for physiotherapy does vary among Queensland Universities but minimums normally fall within the range of 78 – 98. For students looking at programs that require an ATAR of 90 or higher, it’s quite common to enlist the help of professional tutors to assist them with reaching their goals.

Does your aspiring physiotherapist worry that they may not be able to meet the required ATAR needed to get into the program of their choice?

Our highly experienced team can help.

What is the Required ATAR for Physiotherapy at Queensland Universities?

University of Queensland Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

This 4-year, full time program offers an excellent hands-on patient simulation program in the school’s hospital simulation ward and in the University of Queensland’s physiotherapy clinics. The advanced knowledge and skills gained in this honours degree program gives students a chance to stand out in this highly competitive field.

• Prerequisites include Year 12 (or equivalent) General English subject (Units 3 & 4, C); and one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics (Units 3 & 4, C).
• The most recent ATAR for physiotherapy at UQ was 98 (OP 2).
• There is no guaranteed acceptance into this program.

Bachelor of Physiotherapy at James Cook University

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy program at James Cook University offers students extensive clinical placements and allows students the opportunity to develop the skills needed to cater to people in remote, rural, and Indigenous communities.

• The ATAR for physiotherapy at JCU has been 88.9 in recent years
• Prerequisites include: English (Units 3/4,C), Mathematical Methods (Units 3/4,C), plus one of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Physical Education, Psychology or Health (Units 3/4,C)
• JCU also offers a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) degree consisting of extra study as well as a personal research project and thesis.

Griffith University’s Bachelor of Physiotherapy or Bachelor of Physiotherapy Honours

Students who meet Griffith University’s highly competitive minimum ATAR for physiotherapy will undertake a variety of academic, clinical and science courses including biomedical, physical and behavioural science. In order to graduate, students will need to prove that they have all of the skills and professional knowledge required for entry-level clinical physiotherapy practice.

• Selection for admission is competitive as the number of applicants generally exceeds the places available.
• Minimum ATAR 97 (OP 3)

Griffith also offers a Bachelor of Physiotherapy Honours program which requires students to achieve a 5.0 GPA in year 1 and 2 of their Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Upon graduating, students may register to practice as a physiotherapist in Australia or continue on with a Master’s degree.

Bachelor of Physiotherapy Degrees at Australian Catholic University

ACU offers a 4-year physiotherapy course which allows students the opportunity to not only participate in clinical placements but also to gain a wealth of knowledge in regards to physiotherapy practices and professional behaviours in accordance with the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

• Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) programs require a minimum ATAR of 78 with a selection rank of 86
• High achieving Bachelor of Physiotherapy students who meet the admission requirements can undertake honours in their third and fourth years.

Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) at Central Queensland University

• CQ’s Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) offers students a chance to study in purpose-built physiotherapy labs which prepare students with the skills and knowledge required to participate in a range of work placement environments.
• The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC).
• CQ’s minimum ATAR for physiotherapy is 78.7 (OP 10, Selection Rank 79)

Calculating your ATAR Score for a Physiotherapy Degree

Physiotherapy normally requires prerequisite subjects such as English, mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, health and physical education. For some courses, students may be required to also sit the Undergraduate Medical and Health Science Admission Test and undergo an interview process.

However, the most common entrance factor is the ATAR score. Taking over from the former Overall Position system, the ATAR score is a little complicated to calculate but thankfully students only have to worry about achieving as high a mark as possible in each of their core subjects and all of the calculations will be done for them. (See QTAC’s guide to calculating ATAR). For a more simplified version, our cheat sheet on understanding the ATAR system is a great starting point.

What if you don’t have the minimum ATAR for Physiotherapy?

Although the entrance requirements for physiotherapy degrees can be quite competitive, some universities offer alternative options for gaining entry into the program without necessarily meeting the minimum ATAR for Physiotherapy. Some universities may offer students “bonus points” in order to bump up their ranking (selection rank). Factors such as attending schools in certain locations, year 12 subject performance and eligibility for Educational Access Schemes can all play a role in determining a selection rank for a particular course that is higher than a student’s original ATAR. An individual’s selection rank can vary between different universities and even among different courses at the same school. Post-secondary schools will automatically use your ATAR + adjustments (if you are eligible) to determine your selection rank for a particular course.

How to achieve the ATAR for Physiotherapy in Queensland

Physiotherapy can be one of the hardest courses to get into, so students aspiring to get into this field of study should aim to achieve top marks (especially in maths and science). Achieving the minimum ATAR for physiotherapy may feel daunting but we’re here to help.  If you are choosing a school with a minimum ATAR for physiotherapy in the 90s, top marks in the last few years of high school are an absolute must. Students will need to demonstrate perseverance, dedication and the right mind-set in order to stay on track to reach their full potential and achieve the highest grades possible.  Whether your child’s goal is to work with seniors as an occupational therapist, or to travel with top athletes to the next Olympic games, A Team Tuition can help. Our top-notch tutors help high school students boost their confidence, mindset and attitude to make all of their dreams a reality.

Looking at other career paths? Find out the ATAR scores needed for:

ATAR for Teaching

ATAR for Dentistry

ATAR for Nursing

ATAR for Electrical Engineering

ATAR for Medicine 

ATAR for Law

ATAR for Architecture 

The post What’s the ATAR for Physiotherapy in Queensland? appeared first on A Team Tuition.

When speaking to your child about the merits of going to university, don’t sell them the idea as a back-up plan – make it a part of the ACTUAL plan. An undergrad degree in drama, acting, music or PE can open doors and expose your gifted child to opportunities that they may otherwise never have – regardless of how talented they may be.

Learn how your child can work with a professional tutor to help make their dreams come true.

How to determine what ATAR drama, acting and music students require

Encouraging your child to go to university does not mean that you’re trying to crush their dreams of becoming a rock star or Hollywood actress. A university education can open doors to major industry contacts, talent scouts, exciting new peer groups, and give access to auditions that may otherwise not have been possible.  However, when trying to decipher what ATAR drama, acting and music students need to get into post-secondary programs, it’s important to do your research.

When it comes to performing arts and visual arts programs, it’s not only the ATAR music students need to be focusing on – these programs often involve an interview and audition as part of their selection process as well. However, many acting programs – whether they use the ranking system or not, also look at previous academic results in courses like English. For this reason, it’s important for your child to strike a balance between focusing on their creative talents as well as academics. Figuring out what ATAR arts, music and drama degree programs require may take some time, but with post-secondary options available in all of these areas, the possibilities for your creative child are endless.

Does your child need help achieving the ATAR result they need? 

Find a Music Tutor here

Find a Drama Tutor here

How to determine what ATAR PE students require

Many elite athletes get their big breaks while at university, yet many sporty high school students still need that little extra push to pursue a post-secondary career. Helping your child explore the vast range of sports and phys-ed related undergrad options available might just be the inspiration that they need.

The ATAR PE students require greatly depends on the area they wish to study and the school they choose to attend. Typical programs geared at sports-minded students are anatomy, physiotherapy, sports medicine, and occupational therapy. However, some athletes may be interested in the business or operational side of sports as well. In this case, careers in marketing and promotions, team management, commentating, or facilities management could be options down the road. Regardless of what your young athlete chooses to study, their time at university is likely to offer opportunities to meet with talent scouts, managers and coaches that would otherwise not be possible outside of the campus environment.

Additionally, from a mental health point of view, having interests and achievements in areas other than an athlete’s sport of choice often leads to a more well-rounded, positive sense of self and greater overall well-being.

Is sending talented kids to university really worth it?

Some people may argue that aspiring athletes or budding musicians won’t have time for school and should solely focus on their craft, however, it is extremely possible to pursue a higher education AND perform at a top level outside of the classroom. A university career can help to develop maturity, perseverance, teamwork and coping skills that are extremely important on the field or on stage as well.

Going to university can also take some of the pressure off of individuals as they will graduate with a broader and more balanced outlook on life. A post-secondary degree will provide a sense of security and a new level of confidence that will easily translate to their aspirations outside of the classroom.  Additionally, if your child does become a famous movie star or Olympic athlete, their university experience can only help them to mentally and emotionally prepare for the pressures that those types of experiences are more than likely to present.

What “Follow Your Dreams” means in reality

Does your child want to be an opera singer or a star athlete? Going to university offers incredible opportunities and life skills that enable students to gain confidence, join new networks and learn more about the ins and outs of the industries that they are so passionate about.  An investment in education is always an investment into the future and going to university doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams, it means giving your dream another leg to stand on.

If your child needs help achieving the ATAR music, drama and sports programs require, A Team Tuition is here to help.

The post Discover What ATAR Music and Sports Stars Need to Follow Their Dreams appeared first on A Team Tuition.