High-achieving students landing ‘life-changing’ cash prizes for impressive results

A former principal and school leadership guru says he’s not surprised by reports high-achieving students at certain schools are getting “life-changing” cash prizes of up to $10,000 for impressive VCE results.

Adam Voigt said he didn’t blame schools for trying to motivate students and language barriers were often to blame for the way the rewards were interpreted.

“If it was framed as a scholarship, or future fund, we’d be OK but it’s almost like when you strap the gameshow host voice on and call it ‘cash’ that it becomes a really big problem, but the truth is it is pretty standard reward and I can kind of see why the schools are doing it,” he said on 3AW.

Press PLAY below to hear him explain