Premier Peter Malinauskas’s message for Year 12 SACE results lacks ambition

Premier Peter Malinauskas tried to cheer up school leavers disappointed with SACE results – but he missed the mark, writes Paul Starick.

Across the board, South Australia needs ambition for high achievement, not to be content with sliding into mediocrity.

We know we live in a fabulous state, with an enviable lifestyle by any global comparison, boasting an array of natural attractions and advantages.

Collectively, we surely should aspire to leverage these advantages, to aim for economic, sporting, cultural, civic and academic success.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has often spoken of the huge size of the challenge before the state to build nuclear-powered submarines in a $368bn project centred on Adelaide. He’s dubbed them “the most complex machine ever built in human history”, but insisted it’s “nothing that we’re not capable of”.

This mindset makes his message to the 15,560 students finding out their SACE result on Monday a little unambitious.

Premier Peter Malinauskas at BAE Systems Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge at Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom. Picture: BAE SYSTEMS,

Premier Peter Malinauskas in March, with a young worker at BAE Systems Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge at Barrow-in-Furness, United Kingdom. Picture: BAE SYSTEMS

This criticism is not so much for what the message says – it is reasonable reminder to be proud of achievement and that Year 12 results do not define a lifetime.

Year 12s - this one’s for you. pic.twitter.com/0XR2qAXMEn

— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) December 17, 2023

“If you don’t get the marks you wanted, remember there’s more than one road to the same destination,” Mr Malinauskas writes, emphasising the importance of resilience and tenacity.

A key omission, though, is a celebration of achievement. Some Year 12s will have done exceptionally well. Others will be middle-ranking and some will be disappointed by their results.

A rallying cry to those feeling glum about their results is fair enough. But Mr Malinauskas does not praise success – other than declaring people should be proud “no matter what your results say”.

Results matter – in school, at work and when running a state. Celebrating the success of Year 12 students should not involve insulting or offending those disappointed at their results.

SA needs to aim high. The political class needs to kindle and lead this ambition.

After all, the young people of today are among those who will be building the most complex machines in history at Osborne Naval Shipyard in the not-too-distant future.