Despite perceptions that Latin is irrelevant, it remains popular with students due to its ability to make connections across different subjects. The head of Latin at a school in Australia, Sarah Durham, has been teaching Latin for over 20 years. Former students who have studied Latin have found it to be a valuable subject that has helped them in other areas of their academic pursuits. For example, a student drew inspiration from his Latin coursework to assist him in his English VCE subject. Another student, Emmy Bowyer, is currently studying medicine at Monash University and credits her love for the Percy Jackson book series as a reason for trying Latin. She encourages others to focus on whether they enjoy the subject rather than being swayed by how it is scaled.
In Victoria, Latin is a subject taken by fewer than 300 students, with just 24 schools offering the course. The subject is scaled up significantly, with a study score of 30 in Latin being scaled up to a score of 47. This scaling adjustment is intended to encourage students to study languages and other challenging subjects. Other subjects that are highly scaled include specialist mathematics, algorithmics, and languages such as Hebrew, French, and Chinese. While some students do consider scaling when choosing their VCE subjects, others prioritize their interest and passion for the subject over scaling factors.
One student, Alex Chieng, is studying specialist mathematics at Trinity Grammar School with the goal of pursuing engineering at university. While the subject is one of the most highly scaled in VCE, Chieng selected it based on his interest and future career aspirations rather than solely relying on scaling considerations. He acknowledges that some students choose subjects based on scaling, especially those aiming for top ATAR scores, but he advises students to prioritize their passion and interest in a subject when making their selections. Chieng views scaling as a bonus rather than a determining factor in his subject choices.
The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) clarifies that scaling adjustments are not based on the difficulty of a subject’s curriculum, but on the level of competition within the subject. Every VCE student who achieves a particular study score in a specific subject will receive the same scaled score, ensuring fairness and consistency in the scaling process. The idea that scaling reflects the ease or difficulty of a subject is a common misconception that VTAC seeks to dispel. Students are encouraged to focus on their personal interests and strengths when selecting their VCE subjects, rather than solely relying on scaling considerations.
Overall, the discussion around VCE subject scaling highlights the importance of choosing subjects based on personal interest and passion rather than being swayed by scaling factors. While scaling adjustments can impact a student’s ATAR score, it is important to prioritize enjoyment and engagement with the subject material. Latin, despite being taken by a relatively small number of students in Victoria, offers unique benefits in terms of making connections across different subjects and enhancing critical thinking skills. Students like Alex Chieng demonstrate that pursuing subjects based on personal interest and future career goals can be more fulfilling than selecting subjects solely for their scaling potential.
