Let’s hear it for our scholars

THE future of our region is in good hands if we can keep producing smart young adults to become the leaders of tomorrow.

The class of 2017 will need all their smarts to steer their way through the continued technological disruption of traditional industries, global insecurity and a deep malaise about the functionality of our political system.

So it is heartening Geelong’s rightfully feted private and independent schools are still producing graduates at the top of their game, with the Geelong College recording its highest results in almost 20 years.

It is equally heartening that Belmont High and Grovedale Secondary College produced duxes with ATAR scores in the high 90s. Scores like that come not just with a natural aptitude but with a lot of consistency and hard work.

But success comes in many sizes. So congratulations also to Geelong teenager Tee Moo Shi Toe Aye who came here from a Thai refugee camp without a word of English a decade ago and is now hopeful of pursuing her dream of helping others by studying nursing.

There will be other students around Geelong and Victoria who worked their hardest but didn’t get the results they wanted.

They should still be proud of their efforts and know that in life it’s consistency of commitment and purpose that counts.

Every year that passes from their Year 12 experience they will see in stark relief. There’s a lot learnt in adult life and in the workplace that casts the exams of high school and even university in a less important light. This will be particularly true for the Class of 2017 who will enter a fragmented workforce where they are expected to be nimble and creative and where they may have to do a high number of jobs.

But for the moment they should all breath a sigh of relief that for better or worse it’s over and take the time to rest up before the future calls.