Carved in sand

Were it not for a snippet overheard in Subway, I'd have been unaware that, post-2011, NSW has abolished the School Certificate - a piece of paper that once held meaning for myself and several readers of this crummy blog. Details are sketchy, but from what I can gather, the statewide exam grades of the S/C will be replaced with a holistic Record Of Achievement that may also include extra-curriculars like the Duke Of Edinburgh Award. Apparently, the purpose is to encourge kids to stay on longer, aided by courses that connect Years 10 and 11, along with the fact they'll now receive credit for 100% of what they do, even if they leave partway through the HSC.