Roland R-World Online | Fall 2007

AUSTRALIA'S FIRST AVIATION HIGH OPENS

QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA – Australia's first dedicated aviation high school, Aviation High, was officially launched August 9, 2007, with the help of many corporate sponsors including Roland DG.

"It was an honor for Roland DG to be invited to participate in this very exciting inaugural event," said Marcus Adler, MD of Roland DG Australia and New Zealand. "Aviation High fits right into Roland DG’s education outreach programs."

As a specialist school, Aviation High caters to students with a passion for aerospace and aviation and career aspirations in these fields. Roland DG Australia was invited to support the new school based on the company’s expertise and products as well as its history of corporate initiatives to assist the education sector.

Queensland’s Premier Peter Beattie and Education and Training Minister Rod Welford jointly opened the school.

"Aviation High has undergone much more than just a name change from Hendra Secondary College," Beattie said. "Aviation High represents a state government investment of $18 million over four years to 2010 to provide students with a direct pathway to careers in the aviation industry.”

From left to right: Phil Cooper – Principal, Aviation High, David Withers - Boeing Australia, Alan Johnson - CAE Australia, Rob Hunter - Australian Aerospace Ltd., The Honourable Rod Welford - Minister for Education, Training and Minister for the Arts, The Honourable Peter Beattie - Premier of Queensland, Paul Bredereck - Aviation Australia, Ian Irving - Thales Australia, Neil Thomson - Smiths Aerospace, Andrew David - Virgin Blue Airlines, Gareth Evans - Qantas, Marcus Adler - Roland DG.

According to Beattie, Aviation High has been established to ensure that its students are well positioned to pursue careers in the burgeoning aviation industry, which employs an estimated 14,000 Queenslanders. Aviation High serves as the hub for the 17 gateway schools in the Education Queensland's Aerospace Project, which was established with industry partners in 2004.

"The contribution of industry partners is crucial to the development of a relevant curriculum," Welford said. “Aviation High's 255 students study subjects similar to those offered at other high schools, but with an aviation focus.”

Aviation High prepares students for all types of positions within the aviation industry – from caterers and flight attendants to pilots, meteorologists, aviation lawyers and engineers.

Marcus Adler, MD of Roland DG Australia, piloting the GeoSim flight simulator at Aviation High.

According to Welford, the school site, located at Widdop Street in Clayfield, was selected for its proximity to the Brisbane Airport precinct – and because it offers room for expansion. "Enrollment is expected to grow to about 600 students within four years," he said.

Other partner companies supporting the new school include Boeing Australia, Aviation Australia, Brisbane Airport Corporation, Australian Aerospace, Smiths Aerospace, Qantas Australia, CAE Australia, Thales Australia and Virgin Blue Airlines.