Year 12 students prepare for gap year

THE Year 12 students at Euroa Secondary College are preparing to finish the last year of their secondary schooling and ready themselves for the future. Included in this group are the students heading off to university and their third round of studies. Some students are not in a rush to jump back into study and are planning a break – a gap year to recoup, save some money, travel or pursue other interests. Adrian Bright, VTAC coordinator and teacher at Euroa Secondary College, works closely with counselling students who are applying for tertiary study. One of the areas he addresses is taking a gap year. “It may help students to afford the living costs associated with going to university and can be worth as much as $93,000 to them”, Mr Adrian said. “At the end of 2023, Year 12 student Euroa Secondary College student Samy Tatai convinced his parents to allow him to take a gap year. "After some early trepidation, they agreed once he showed them that he had a well laid out plan to complete his gap year and then return to study in 2025.” During 2024, Samy worked, saved money and qualified for youth allowance to help make university more affordable and achievable. He plans to travel to broaden his experiences before returning to commence studies in Sport Science at LaTrobe University in Bendigo. “2024 year 12 student Chloe Salter has her gap year already organised, starting with time working overseas as an au pair," Adrian said. "Chloe departs straight after her end of year exams. "Chloe has already received an early offer to commence a degree studying a Bachelor of Nutrition at Swinburne University. "She was offered an early place in the course due to her accelerated studies and high academic track record in her previous years of schooling. “Universities are starting to recognise these factors more frequently when offering places to students ahead of the ATAR.” There may be some parents who are concerned that their child may not want to return to study at the end of the gap year, but Adrian said this is the exception rather than the rule. Mr Bright encourages students and parents to make a plan now for returning to study after their gap year. The plan should include applying for a university position first and then deferring, saving money during the gap year and using the gap to experience life out of secondary school. “There are many benefits in taking a gap year”, Mr Bright said. “By taking a gap year and earning 75 percent of the minimum wage for the year, students can become classified as independent by Centrelink and therefore eligible for full youth allowance (currently $639 per fortnight), receive relocation grants, rent assistance and energy bill assistance. “This not only helps the students but also their parents to support their children through tertiary study, especially as the costs of living in another city can be expensive. “Most students can be deemed independent and eligible for the youth allowance by taking a gap year.” A one-off relocation grant payment of $5385 is available from Centrelink in a student’s first year. This grant is to help with paying accommodation bonds, buying books and arranging transport. “Another way to continue study and reduce the costs is for students to apply annually for scholarships, as these often go unfilled because not enough students apply for them”, Mr Bright said. Two current Euroa Secondary College Year 12 students, Rachel Buerkner and Elise Durkin, have gap years organised and are applying for courses at the University of Melbourne and Latrobe University. “While the girls are excited to be going to university, they are looking forward to a gap year," Mr Bright said. "Both have jobs lined up already.” The Year 12 students will commence end of year exams soon and will be waiting eagerly for results in December, before making their final decisions.