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Melbourne High and
Mac.Robertson Girls' were Victoria's first two selective high
schools and are recognised as two of the finest secondary schools
in Victoria so it is worth considering the features which make them
so outstanding.
They have a selective intake.
All the students have reached a certain level of academic
excellence and most would be in the top twenty percent of students
at their year level.
Because of the equity
considerations and the 5 % rule (see elsewhere) there is a mix of
students from different socio-economic groups and a wide mix of
ethnic backgrounds. Thus the schools are a real experience of our
multi-cultural society and this is wonderful preparation for
working in Australia today.
That the government is
expecting similar standards from Nossal, Berwick and Cory, Wyndham
does not need to be stressed. They hope that the academic results
will speak loudly and clearly.
While publicity is often
about exam results there is need to recognise the co-curricular
activities, the sport, the cadets, the music and the
debating.
One student stated to
us…."you are really pushed into some of the co-curricular
activities at first and then, you discover how marvelous it is and
how necessary for your real education." This student leaves
home at 6.15a.m. every school morning, but after three years of
this travel he maintains it is absolutely worth it.
Another student, who had been
at an exclusive private school from preparatory class in primary
school said, "it was a culture shock at first but it is
fantastic." | 