Gifted move to centres of excellence

SOME people are not aware of the number of students that have chosen to leave their private school and complete years 11 and 12 at colleges such as Launceston College (Letters, April 4).

Whilst I welcome country students now having the opportunity to further their education in years 11 and 12 they should have the advantage to further if academically gifted to attend these colleges of excellence similar to Victoria (Launceston College is a place of excellence). Victoria offers “elite education, unique opportunities, exceptional futures” at selected high schools. Victoria has Mac. Robertson Girls’ High School, Melbourne Boys’ High, Nossal Co-Ed and Suzanne Cory Co-Ed. When you choose a Victorian selective entry high school, you are ensuring your child has the opportunity for an exceptional education at one of four schools exclusively designed for academically talented students.

Students have to apply for an exam and are also given a paper on how to pre- pare for the exam. Interesting it covers years 9 to 12. Tasmania should look at this model as it would allow our excellent high school teachers to spend more time with students who need their attention and suitable for VET studies.

I speak from knowledge that my grandson won a scholarship from a private school in Melbourne a few years ago to Melbourne Boys’ High and is now at Monash University.