Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Education and Training, 29 July 2020
Schools Recommendation Program
The Tasmanian Government would like to congratulate and acknowledge the more than 1600 Tasmanian Year 12 students who have received an offer to study with the University of Tasmania next year.
In response to the challenges of COVID-19, UTAS worked with The Department of Education and other education sectors to implement the Schools Recommendation Program. This enabled students to apply and be made an offer for an undergraduate courses at UTAS based on the recommendation of their school.
The program was devised to reduce the stress and pressure for students and their families, whose lives and learning have been disrupted by COVID-19. It aims to ensure that students will not be disadvantaged in their transition from senior secondary school to further study.
The criteria for the program included factors such as students’ Year 11 results, an assessment of their capabilities and the perspective of those who have taught them throughout their learning journey.
There is no doubt that this has been a time of change, including the shift to learning at home which is why it was important that we recognised the challenges students faced this year and responded in a flexible way.
Media release – UTAS, 29 July 2020
Certainty and confidence to flow with Year 12 offers under recommendation program
Offers will begin to flow to Year 12s this week, providing certainty and the chance to turn a new chapter in their lives, starting study with the University of Tasmania next year.
With 1,800 applications from Tasmanian students so far this year, the University and schools are currently working to finalise the first round of offers which will be emailed to students tomorrow, Thursday, 30 July.
The University’s Schools Recommendation Program was set up to support students and reduce pressure and stress by providing certainty about their pathway to further education at a time when their lives and learning have been disrupted by COVID-19.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black said the University community was delighted to have had such interest in the program and was looking forward to welcoming a new group of first-year students in 2021.
“COVID-19 has added a level of uncertainty and difficulty for Year 12s at a time in their lives that can already be stressful for them and their families,” Professor Black said.
“The Schools Recommendation Program is one way we have been able to help. With this program in place, students have been able to tackle the year with confidence; they could do their best without fear of failure, knowing they will have a place with us based on a range of considerations other than an ATAR.
“This includes their academic performance and, importantly, their teacher’s belief that they will thrive once they come to university. That confidence of their teachers is the most important measure – they know these students best, and we trust their judgement as educators.”
More than 1,600 Tasmanian students will receive an offer tomorrow, with more to follow. Applications through the program can be made up until 30 November this year.
Kate MacDonald, who is finishing Year 12 at St Patrick’s College in Launceston, will receive an offer of a place in the Bachelor of Business. She said the program had taken a lot of pressure off in what was a difficult year.
“When we first applied to the University, we weren’t even sure whether we would be able to sit exams. It was really good to know that we could just focus on getting through the year, that as long as we passed, we had a place at the University.”
Fellow Year 12 student at St Patrick’s, Tom Dwyer, will be receiving an offer in the Bachelor of Agricultural Science. Growing up in Longford, he has always wanted to get into farming and being able to apply to the University early had been a big relief.
“COVID-19 has been really challenging – our whole routine was thrown out of whack, and we had to start trying to learn from home,” he said.
“The way the school and our teachers adapted was amazing, but it was a whole different way of learning and pretty disruptive.
“It was a big relief to be able to apply early because it means you can give yourself that pathway already and start looking at options and planning out the rest of your year to get ready.”
Principal of St Patrick’s College Tony Daley said: “For a year that has been so disrupted it is certainly a positive that the College and UTAS can work closely together for the benefit of the students. In the current conditions, it has been a relief for many to know where they are heading in 2021.”
The program will continue accepting applications until 30 November 2020. For more information, visit https://www.utas.edu.au/undergraduate-study/your-path-to-2021.
Media release – Josh Willie MLC, Shadow Education Minister, 29 July 2020
New university students to be celebrated
Congratulations are in order for more than 1600 Tasmanian Year 12 students who have received an offer to study at the University of Tasmania from next year.
Shadow Education Minister Josh Willie said it is clear the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the education of all Tasmanian students, and early acceptance to university will help ease stress towards the end of the school year.
“The government’s Schools Recommendation Program is to be commended for giving students a non-traditional way to access further study.
“By allowing university acceptance based on pre-pandemic results and recommendations from teachers, it has removed barriers and stress put in place by a disrupted final year – which will be welcome relief to these students and their families as they begin preparations for final exams.
“I would like to see this program continue. Let’s create an educational system that values character and contribution as well as formal grades and ATAR results.
“These 1600 students are to be congratulated on their achievements.”
