Week 3 and it’s been full speed ahead every minute of every day since we started. Term 1 is traditionally busy…actually every term is busy…but this one just seems more so than usual.
On Tuesday we welcomed back our “Year 13” students (the Senior Class of 2024) to acknowledge their achievements and on Friday the Senior Class of 2025 was commissioned. I wish our 2025 Seniors all the best in their final year and look forward to working with them to establish their legacy.
Congratulations on your success and hard work in 2024 and well done Alexander Bilicki - College Dux and Joshua Avenell – Proxime Accessit.
And to the following young men who achieved an ATAR above 90
- Daniel Nugent
- Dominic Oddi
- Sam Milen
- Jared Lauron
- Blake Bailey
- Lochlan Ruhl
- Patrick Janssen
- Brandon Davis
- Dallas Summerville
- Connor Doherty
- Harry Winrow
We also acknowledged our young men who excelled in Skills and Training obtaining apprenticeships in Electrical, Heavy Diesel and Steel Fabrication -
- Brodie Bettiens-Lingard
- Digger Marschke
- Nate McCorry
- Talon Campbell
Finally, as a College, Tuesday saw us welcome back 2024 Senior Ryan White, Ipswich Young Citizen of the Year. Not only did he ride the 115 or so kilometres to Surfers Paradise as one of the Skool-2-Skoolies team, impressively Ryan raised $23000 by himself for St Vincent De Paul Society and Ipswich Hospice.
Listening to Tuesday’s assembly guest speaker and 2019 Old Boy Lachlan Stacey, the importance of skills for our young men to become independent and successful struck me.
We live in a world obsessed with ATARs and degrees, diplomas and certificates. They’re presented as the golden tickets to success. In some ways, they are. But it’s like having a car, you need the right key to start the engine, to unlock the potential of the vehicle.
Similarly, ATARs and qualifications can unlock doors, granting access to specific fields, courses, or job opportunities. A university degree or a trade qualification, can be the ‘key’ to entering a profession. It demonstrates a foundational level of knowledge and understanding, a prerequisite for further specialisation. But having a ‘key’ doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride. Simply having car keys doesn't mean you know how to drive.
This is where transferable skills come in. These fundamental abilities allow our young men to navigate different situations, learn new things, and ultimately, succeed in whatever ‘vehicle’ they choose to drive – be it a specific career, a new course of study, or even a personal project.
They may decide on a sleek sports car, a rugged 4x4, or a humble hatchback. Each vehicle has its own nuances, its own quirks. The gear stick might be in a different place, the dashboard layout might vary, and the handling characteristics will certainly differ. However, the fundamental skill of driving remains the same. The ability to observe traffic, judge distances, control speed, and react to unexpected situations transcends specific car models. These core skills can be applied to different vehicles, adapting and adjusting as needed.
Transferable skills work in much the same way. They are core competencies that once acquired, can be applied across various contexts. Think about communication. Whether writing a report, giving a presentation, or negotiating a deal, the ability to communicate clearly and effectively is crucial. This skill isn’t tied to a tertiary course or specific job or specialised industry; it’s universally valuable.
Similarly, problem-solving skills are essential in any field. The ability to analyse a situation, identify the root cause of a problem, and develop effective solutions is a skill that can be applied to everything from troubleshooting a technical glitch to resolving a conflict within a team.
In the toolbox of transferable skills, we aim to develop in our young men, we include critical thinking, adaptability, teamwork, leadership, empathy, time management, and organisation. These are the ‘driving toolkit’ that allow them to navigate the complexities of different situations and achieve their goals. Learning to drive takes practice and experience; developing transferable skills requires opportunity and conscious effort. They can’t simply be acquired by reading a book or attending a lecture. They must be actively cultivated through experience, reflection, and feedback. Participating in group projects, taking on leadership roles, volunteering and engaging in sport can all contribute to the development of these essential skills.
The beauty of skills lies in their versatility. They empower our Eddies Men to adapt to change, to embrace new challenges, and pursue diverse opportunities. In today's rapidly evolving world, where job roles and industries are constantly changing, these skills are more valuable than ever. They allow our young men to remain relevant, adaptable, and employable throughout their career.
While qualifications provide the initial access, transferable skills are what allow our Eddies Men to drive forward no matter what car they are in, what university course they encounter or what profession they choose. In the case of two individuals: both possessing a degree but one lacking communication and problem-solving skills, while the other has a diverse range of transferable skills; it will be the individual with the transferable skills who will likely be more successful.
So, while obtaining the ‘car keys’ through qualifications is important, we must never underestimate the power of acquiring and refining transferable skills in our Eddies Men.
