College recommendations for Year 11 student

DICKSON COLLEGE
I’m going to complain here so everyone else knows, some of the teachers here are a little dumb and I know that’s rude to say but trust me I’m right. sitting on the stairs is not a hazard because you are not going to fall or have a sudden death, when the fire drill is sounding and it’s not a drill the kid won’t be there sitting on the stairs they know to get to safety because they’re not about to burn alive on stairs. if you don’t know how to use the stairs and you’re Shakey well there’s a railing there for you and it’s for gripping, you won’t be using the wall because then you’d slip because a wall doesn’t have any grip. they’re sitting on the very edge where there is room for you to walk up and down the stairs, especially if it’s in the morning when no kids are around and waiting for a friend. when it is time for class the student won’t be sitting there anymore, they will be in class. the kid isn’t tripping anyone over. if the person walking up or down the stairs fall and trips, they weren’t using the railing that is provided for holding on to. a single kid who’s waiting for a friend and for class to start is not a hazard because they will be gone when class have started and where will they be? In class sitting on a chair doing their work.

As mentioned above, if you want to get into an out of area college you need to make it clear that you need (not ‘want’) to do this particular subject – relating it to future study or work intentions. Because Narrabundah has such a large number of people knocked back, make a good case!

Regarding other differences:

Gungahlin is the only public college in the ACT that has a school uniform, and insists on students wearing it.

Narrabundah gets a large number of high ATARs. This could be partly attributable to the very high proportion of overseas students there (i.e. if your parents are paying a fortune for you to study overseas you are more likely to focus). For some students it can be a confronting experience going from being well above average in the old school to below average at Narrabundah, so think before you jump! The ACT system seems to make it possible to get good scores at any college so I would suggest it’s best to go to one you are comfortable with rather than one just because it has good performers.

Some colleges do not make English mandatory. Narrabundah does. I don’t know about Dickson and Gungahlin.

Aragornerama said :

So long as you work hard enough (nothing ridiculous – an hour or two a night would be fine) you should comfortably get into ANU psychology from any college in Canberra.

This.

If you based in Gunghalin and going to Narrabundah, the commute will be easier once Majura Parkway is completed mid 20-16, though parts of it are already open. I guess it depends on what sections become available this year.

ps. Just to clarify, if you’re absolutely set on going to Narrabundah and want to be guaranteed entry, the only way is to live in area.

So long as you work hard enough (nothing ridiculous – an hour or two a night would be fine) you should comfortably get into ANU psychology from any college in Canberra.

That said, if you’d like to know which are best, the chart on this page will help: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/act-year-12-certificate-awards-on-the-rise-20141216-128423.html. Be careful not to just look at the median ATAR – the percentage of year 12 certificate recipients who receive an ATAR is also important. Some schools artificially inflate their results by discouraging less able students from seeking ATARs. Burgmann Anglican School looks like your best bet in Gungahlin. If you want a public school, Dickson College looks pretty good and is closer than Narrabundah.

The trick to getting into Narrabundah from out of area is making a good case for why you want to do a subject offered there, that isn’t available at other colleges. Signing up for the IB would also work (and you can drop it immediately if you like), but there’s a fairly hefty fee attached. I think it’s a tad over $1000. No guarantees, but they’re your best bet. Good luck!

Gungahlin to Narrabundah will be a real hassle commute, you’d be better seeing if you can live in the area (and thereby guarantee enrolment). Can your parents help you out with accommodation, even if they are moving to Gungers? If you have to live in Gungahlin, Daramalan would be much better.

Narrabundah has excellent academic results and, AFAIK, a waiting list to get in if you are not in the catchment area. And yes, it’s a long commute from Gungahlin.

Perhaps northside Rioters can recommend colleges that are closer to home.

If you don’t live in the enrolment area, you may not be accepted to attend Narrabundah College if it is at or close to capacity, which it is quite possibly the case. You will also find it difficult to get to if you are relying on catching a bus, if heading from Gungahlin town centre, you’re looking at about 1 hour and 20 minutes on the bus to get there, add more time from surrounding suburbs.

From memory, Narrabundah has one of the higher average uni admission scores, but going to another school won’t necessarily make your individual admission score less. If you study hard you should do well wherever you go. The ACT college system is a lot less formal than other places, easy to get distracted.