Regional Differences in High and Technical School Demand in Melbourne, 1951–1985

Over half of all young people in Australian government schools do not complete secondary education and leave school without any formal qualification. This paper uses a regional framework to examine long-term trends in retention rates in different areas of Melbourne and concludes that in both older established and newly urbanized parts of the city the post-war transformation of government high schools into a mass system has failed to break down barriers based on social area. Marked regional differences were found in demand for high school, as well as a long downward trend during the 1970s (despite recession). Technical schools have displayed comparatively minor regional differences and retention rates grew during the 1970s. This suggests that the academic curriculum of high schools continues to be culturally selective. In addition to residential differentiation, important structural features, such as the relative over-supply of technical school places, were identified as contributing to regional trends.     

A NEW STUDY OF THE CURSUS COMPLEX AT DORCHESTER ON THAMES

Summary. This paper reviews some recent developments in the study of non-utilitarian monuments in relation to a new analysis of a group of earthworks at Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire, excavated between 1946 and 1981. It traces the changing character of these different sites in the light of a series of radiocarbon dates, and argues that analysis at this broad chronological and geographical scale is likely to be more informative than piecemeal investigation of individual 'types'of monument.