I’m over 23 years old and for personal and health reasons didn’t complete Year 12.
My personal circumstances have improved recently and with the help of friends and a tutor I’ve found that I have a keen interest in maths and reasonably good at it. From what I’ve heard from friends about Specialists Maths it’s a good really subject to do if you’re interested in Science and Engineering as it reinforces concepts taught in Maths Methods and Physics, making both easier.
I’ve applied for VCE at TAFE this year but really disappointed that Specialist Maths isn’t offered in any of the TAFEs I’ve contacted all over Melbourne which I think is all of them including those in rural regions.
There’s been some suggestions that I should do a TAFE course or some bridging course but this can be an expensive route and no guarantee that I’d get into my preferred courses, which would mean even more expenses.
Completing the VCE it’s just something that I want to tick off but there’s also the slight possibility that I could do well enough to get into the course/s I want immediately and perhaps even get a scholarship, I want to shoot my shot so to speak and not be left wondering.
There’s Virtual School Victoria that unfortunately has an age limit at no older than 22. I’ve contacted them by email and phone hoping to get an exemption of some sort, but they have not bothered getting back to me.
VCAAT guided me towards their website where I can find providers that offer Specialist Maths for the adult sector. Haileybury is the only provider that came up but they also claim that they have an age cut off even though they’re under the Adult sector category.
I found a website that says that the NSW TAFE sector called OTEN offer the HSC via online even to those not living in NSW but they have not got back to me either.
I guess this is my last resort and wondering if anyone knows of some Specialist Maths alternative that I haven’t come across after many days of searching and enquiring that is available for mature age students.
I’ve talked at length with various TAFE staff and they have come across as completely uninterested in my situation. I suspect it’s because they want my business and don’t want to direct me to a competitor but who knows?
I’m thinking and hoping whether VCE Year 12 can be home schooled and basically home school myself. That’s an alternative I’d actually prefer as the TAFEs cost thousands of dollars to enrol and demand that I attend classes for around 20 hours a week which is not really that appealing to me as I’m mostly self taught and rely on a good tutor whenever I come across a topic that I’m not grasping. Those 20 hours would only hinder me, not assist me which is another thing that’s really annoying me about doing it via TAFE.
Any input would be much appreciated as I’ve said this is my last resort and pretty deflated that Specialist Maths is apparently no longer possible for mature age students, at least those over 23, to enrol in.
