Going to school also requires 'expanding your comfort zone'.

The silence of the good students

It's not uncommon to find students with excellent grades who are shy during discussions. They know the material well, answer all types of questions correctly, but don't raise their hand when the teacher asks open-ended questions, don't argue when there's a different perspective, and are certainly not willing to... make mistakes.

From this perspective, it's easy to understand why choosing a school after receiving the 10th-grade entrance exam results also becomes a challenge for students. With their inherent perfectionism, not getting accepted into their first choice means they feel like failures or that their academic journey will end.

However, that's not actually the case.

Choose the one that suits you.

According to Dr. Douglas Foster, President of Scotch AGS South Australia, many students who aspire to study abroad and choose international programs have successfully entered top universities. To achieve this, a roadmap must be developed early, especially in high school. An early roadmap not only helps students learn more effectively but also helps them understand why they are studying, rather than focusing solely on grades or parental expectations.

Transitioning to a new learning environment, following a suitable path where academic programs and extracurricular activities are balanced, will be a turning point that helps many students be themselves. They are allowed to learn at their own pace, develop their personal abilities purposefully, and not be afraid to make mistakes in order to grow.

Scotch AGS students prepare for their university journey through orientation workshops.

At Scotch AGS South Australian School, starting in Year 10, students are introduced to the AGS Talent program – the Australian A-Level for gifted students. They are encouraged to explore a wide range of subjects early on to discover their true passions through the SACE pathway. Furthermore, assessment is based not only on grades, but also on the learning process, independent thinking, critical thinking skills, and proactiveness. This is what sets AGS Talent apart from other educational programs.

As a student who graduated in 2025, PNM said that from her first year of high school, the program helped her see her future career path. In particular, the teaching staff played a very important role in her learning journey over the past three years.

Students from the South Australian Scotch AGS school at their recent SACE graduation ceremony.

“Although the SACE program presented many challenges, it helped me hone many skills. I became familiar with practical lessons, research, and essays. Moreover, the professors always knew how to make even the most complex things incredibly easy to understand, and they always supported me in finding solutions after making mistakes when solving difficult problems. That's why we always learn with an open mind, unafraid to explore new things.”

"Daring to make mistakes" is also a way to discover talent.

Only when students feel safe and respected, even when they make mistakes, will they truly dare to step out of their comfort zone to challenge themselves and break through. This is the opinion of Trent Driver, Head of School at Scotch College Adelaide (South Australia). Sharing the vision of this 100-year-old Australian school, he said:

“We are committed to being pioneers, finding answers to new questions, and staying true to what we believe in. At Scotch, we know how to create a learning environment that balances pressure and challenge. Therefore, students can freely explore while knowing they have the support and guidance of our teaching staff when needed.”

And South Australian Scotch AGS has inherited that educational tradition with an innovative and holistic educational philosophy, empowering students to learn, explore, and take control of their future. Combined with the AGS Talent program for high school students, we believe we will equip students with the skills to confidently conquer university, step out of their comfort zone, and achieve greater success in their future lives.

Opportunity to receive scholarships of up to 70% at Scotch AGS South Australia.

Scotch AGS South Australian School is welcoming the next generation of talented students to its AGS Talent program – the Australian Baccalaureate for gifted students – with attractive scholarships of up to 70% available exclusively for Year 10 students with outstanding profiles who successfully pass the interview.

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