‘Relentless’: Clonard College among schools calling for ATAR system overhaul

The principal of a top-performing Geelong school says a new method to replace the ATAR system is “vital”.

Clonard College principal Luci Quinn is among principals calling for reform the ATAR system.

The principal of a top-performing Geelong school has called for a re-examination of the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) system.

Clonard College principal Luci Quinn was a cosignatory of a letter to the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority and the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) saying the system needed to be replaced.

The school is involved in a New Metrics for Success partnership with the University of Melbourne, which allows educators to explore how a new method of assessing students would work in practice.

An analysis of VCE data placed the Herne Hill college in the top 10 Geelong schools for median study score

Ms Quinn said faculty believed it was time for the education system and wider community to “re-examine how we understand success”.

“A learner profile, such as the system being developed through the new metrics partnership, could provide all students, families, future employers, universities, and other training providers with a more nuanced and holistic picture of the young person, their strengths and capabilities,” she said.

Clonard College principal Luci Quinn (in green) with Sr Louise Cleary, Rosemary Copeland, and Sr Anne Hill. Picture: Supplied

“A profile that captures the level of development across areas … would enhance the educational journey of all young people including those seeking university entry or vocational pathways.”

Ms Quinn said tertiary institutions could use the profile to “match” rather than “rank” students for selection.

“The relentless focus on the ATAR as the only measure of success misses the stories of a whole cohort of young people who are confident, capable learners ready to contribute,” she said.

“We believe ‘new metrics’ should be a focus for educational reform as a vital way to further value our young people and the totality of their educational experience.”

The Geelong College principal Dr Peter Miller with students. He said there were many “unintended consequences” of the ATAR.

Geelong College principal Dr Peter Miller there were many “unintended consequences” of the ATAR, which was designed for university entry purposes and has been in place for more than a decade, including student perceptions of success.

Dr Miller said he saw a future for ATAR as part of a “more sophisticated” approach to offers.

“Universities can settle on their own criteria and make those known,” he said.

“It is imperative the process is transparent to all.”

St Joseph’s College principal Tony Paatsch, whose school is also involved in the new metrics project, said the school supported the development of a “more comprehensive measure” of student achievement.

He said an increasing number of St Joseph’s students were electing to complete VCE without sitting exams or receiving an ATAR.

Originally published as ‘Relentless’: Clonard College among schools calling for ATAR system overhaul