Page 16 - AAPT March 2019

Feature Story
requirements and thereby encouraging highlights how the discussion of
more serving members to articulate defence matters in public forums can
ideas and engage in critical discussions. be counterproductive. 5
Although these new outlets may not But learning how to engage in
require strict adherence to academic public discussion in an appropriate and
strictures, they still place a premium constructive way is itself an important
on reasoning and expression, thereby part of an educational process that aims
promoting the development of effective to develop professional mastery in the
argumentation skills. workforce. We should not be shying
The public nature of these forums away from the challenges of engaging in
does, however, limit their utility as a critical discussions in the public domain
forum for candid critical discussion by creating unnecessarily burdensome
on certain topics. Contributions must hoops to be jumped through before
be unclassified, which severely limits publication. Instead, we should develop
the scope of the topics that can be mechanisms and procedures that
discussed and the depth of the analysis integrate educational, mentoring,
and discussion that can be engaged in. editorial and approval roles into a simple
Even if the topic is not of a classified and timely process to support members
nature, there are risks associated with engaging in professional discussion on
the promotion of critical debate on issues that matter to Air Force. skills necessary to engage in the
organisational issues in public forums. Ideally, this should be implemented at contest of ideas that will play a key
The furore surrounding Captain Sally the local command level. Commanders
Williamson’s opinion piece on ‘Sex have the responsibility to develop their role in generating the creative and
and War: a conversation Army has to workforce towards the attainment of innovative approaches to air power
have’ that appeared on Army’s Land professional mastery. This responsibility needed to ensure a continued capability
Power Forum on 6 November 2017, extends to fostering the development advantage into the future. The creation
and was removed on 15 November, of critical thinking and argumentation of an ecosystem of outlets for the

Aviation High School is a small, quality independent public
school that excels in student academic achievement in
all areas of the Junior (Year 7-9) and Senior (Year 10-12) In 2018 in the Senior School:
curriculum. We offer all of our students many opportunities to • 89% received an OP 1 - 15
excel in any field in which they are interested. Our affiliation • 100% QCE attainment
with the Aerospace Project Schools Gateway and partnership • 100% OP or Vocational Education Qualification
with Qantas sets us apart through our opportunities for
students to engage in aircraft maintenance and engineering, In 2018 in the Junior School:
cabin crew, pilot courses, unmanned aircraft vehicles and • Naplan results significantly above state and national averages
aerospace studies. If you want your child to attend a small quality high school
that:
• Only has your child’s best interests at heart
• Is small enough for everyone to know everyone’s name
(average class size in the junior school is 23)
• Has state of the art facilities
• Has an unrelenting focus on student learning and
improvement
Then Aviation High is the school for you.

67 Widdop Street, Clayfield Qld 4011 | (07) 3637 0111
www.aviationhigh.eq.edu.au | admin@aviationhigh.eq.edu.au

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