News Archive

Kirsten Bolinger
Public relations editorial assistant

An accreditation panel established by the state government has recommended Avondale College's Diploma of General Studies (DGS) receive the maximum and an unconditional five years' re-accreditation.

Members of Avondale's Teaching and Learning Committee and its Academic Board contributed to the result. However, vice-president (learning and teaching) Dr Phillip Brown notes the role of course coordinator David Potter. Phillip affirms David for "the significant and lengthy contributions and revisions to documentation demanded of him over recent months . . . but more significantly, his advocacy for and ongoing nurture and support of students within the DGS program."

About 800 students have completed at least one semester of the course in the 15 years it has received accreditation. "The DGS is vital to Avondale," says David. "It's a pathway into tertiary education for many students."

The graduation class at Avondale this year includes 50 former DGS students, which will take the number graduating with a degree past 200, with many still completing their courses.

David says he is "relieved and gratified" to receive the recommended five years' reaccreditation. "It's a great vote of confidence in the worth of the course."

The accreditation panel's recommendation now goes to the New South Wales Department of Education and Training.