1. The Victorian School System The Straight Path and The Winding Path

2. Straight Winding Which of these lines is better – the straight one or the winding one?

3. Which road do you like better? The Straight RoadORThe Winding Road?

4. Education in Victoria has two main roads (Pathways) and The Winding Pathway The Straight Pathway

5. Education in Victoria – The Straight Pathway Life Begins

7. Age 4 Kindergarten

9. Ages 5 to 12 Primary School

11. Ages 12 to 17 Secondary College/ High School

13. Ages 17 to 21 University

15. Good Job

17. Good Life

18. We all want this pathway for ourselves and for our children but sometimes the winding pathway is better, sometimes, the winding pathway is and necessary.

19. Education in Victoria – The Winding Pathway Life Begins

21. Age 4 Kindergarten Or maybe or Running to another country or War

22. Refugee Camp Or maybe Staying at home

23. Ages 5 - 12 Primary School Or maybe still War or Running or Refugee Camp or Still at home or Having to work

24. Ages 12 to 17 Maybe Come to Australia And then? Language School Western EnglishLanguage School Special Bridging Courses – e.g. Debney Park, Kealba or River Nile Learning Centre. High School / Secondary College TAFE Youth Programs

25. Ages 17 to 20, 21, 22, 23 … TAFE University Degree Adult Education Courses Apprenticeships and Workplace Education

26. ??????????? So many questions. So many choices. What is the best thing to do?

27. Discuss the best pathways for yourself or your children with teachers and others who understand the Victorian education system. My child is 17 but has missed a lot of school. What do you suggest? TAFE is probably better for your child. There are many very good courses at TAFE for students who are 16, 17or 18 and have missed out on a lot of schooling.

28. Be Realistic Choose courses and pathways which will bring success Don’t waste time with unrealistic pathways. If you do this, you or your child will only jump from one course of study to another and waste a lot of time. Listen to teachers and others who know the Victorian education system. They will give you good advice. Realistic Choices

29. Good Job

30. Good Life

31. The path of life is never straight for anyone. The best pathway in education is the one which starts from where YOU are NOW and leads you to somewhere BETTER. The best pathway for you or your child may be different from that of someone born in Australia. The best pathway for you or your child may also be different from the pathway of other members of your community. HOWEVER, the most important thing is reaching your destination successfully: and maybe the Winding Pathway will help you achieve this.