Sydney private school principal enlists NRLW star amid mission to destroy ATAR myth

The head of a sports-focused senior college wants to destroy the “entrenched” belief that getting a great rank in the HSC is the best mark of success. She’s recruited an NRLW star to help.

GOAL College students Shanelle, Luke and Kiani sought an alternative for their senior schooling that wouldn’t hold back their sporting ambitions. Picture: Christian Gilles

A Sydney principal is on a mission to destroy the “entrenched” belief that getting a great rank in the HSC is the best mark of success after outlawing the ATAR at her own school.

Her school GOAL College, formerly known as SEDA but now rebranding and expanding, sells itself as the alternative for sporty Year 11 and 12 kids who are disillusioned with mainstream schooling and don’t want to be set backwards on their path to professional sport by sticking their heads exclusively in the books for two years.

Students still graduate with a Higher School Certificate, but instead of competing for an ATAR rank their focus is obtaining coaching and business qualifications, setting them up for a lifelong career in the sporting industry without forcing them to abandon their education.

Founder and principal Kate O’Donnell said she made a “philosophical choice” to run the school without the systemically “entrenched” ATAR model after seeing one of her own daughters crushed by the academic pressure.

“She got a great ATAR, but it came at the expense of her mental health,” Ms O’Donnell said.

Left to right: GOAL College students Kiani Duckett (Year 12) and Luke Duffy (Year 11), ambassador and Parramatta Eels NRLW star Kennedy Cherrington, Year 12 student Shanelle Lyons and Principal Kate O'Donnell at the Quaycentre in Homebush. Picture: Christian Gilles

“She didn’t know how to hold a job, she was riddled with anxiety and she couldn’t talk to people.

“We want to send the message that you’re not an idiot and you’re not a loser if you don’t get an ATAR.”

Cherrington is one of the new ambassadors of GOAL College, which operates out of rented rooms in Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Christian Gilles

The school is determined to be the breeding ground of our next generation of sports stars and industry leaders, enlisting celebrity ambassadors like 24-year-old first-grade Parramatta Eels player Kennedy Cherrington to connect with students.

The NRLW star said while she was lucky to have support from her family and teachers during her Year 12 studies, it was hard to chase her sporting dreams and jet around the world for major events like the 2017 Bahamas Commonwealth Youth Games while keeping her schooling on track.

“We’ve got athletes coming through that are making moves at 14 and 15 because there’s accessibility for young talent to pursue professional careers, but at the end of the day I’m always pushing (for them) to finish school because education is so important,” Cherrington said.

“To be able to have the opportunity to balance both really well and cater for those sporting needs, but also focus on education, that’s what GOAL College is doing and it’s really good … for kids that were struggling like me back then.”

The school’s Homebush ‘campus’ isn’t glamorous, operating out of a handful of back rooms in the bowels of the an indoor sports arena rented from the Sydney Olympic Park Authority, but for its 250 students the access to real sporting facilities is paramount.

Current Year 11 student Luke Duffy said he made the switch from Crestwood High School so he could pursue a coaching career with the Eels.

“The subjects offered here are the reason why I moved, because it seemed better for my own learning,” he said.

“Going for the ATAR wouldn’t really suit me or my ambitions. GOAL College actually sets you up for life more than an ATAR score.”

Meanwhile, Year 12 girls Kiani Duckett and Shanelle Lyons are undertaking further qualifications outside their mandatory studies, allowing them to work as personal trainers in the near future.

“I’m starting my Cert IV in fitness now outside of school,” Ms Duckett explained.

“It’s two years of hard work … (but) it’s what we wanted to do as an opportunity that we got offered to us. We get a lot of support along the line, and help from teachers.”

With non-ATAR alternative schooling options seeing a surge in popularity, GOAL College is investigating possible sites for a third location in Parramatta.