A new Google-inspired HSC learning centre will open its doors today with a mission to train the brightest young minds in Sydney for stellar careers in science, medicine, mathematics and English.
The first of its kind in Australia, the Talent 100 centre is the brainchild of Richard Chua – a former Business Strategy Associate at Google’s Mountain View Headquarters in Silicon Valley.
With design thinking that focuses on 21st century learning, the new centre delivers a holistic and aspirational learning environment. The fusion of everyday mindfulness with digital technology, including digital yoga, brain training via smart screens and interactive screen technology will be available to students along with informal open community learning spaces – a famous feature of Google offices around the world.
“We are bringing the best of Google home to Sydney, leading the way for greater innovative learning, demystifying the HSC for students and helping them identify their career path in what can be a challenging time in a student’s life”, says Mr Chua, who achieved a perfect 100 UAI when he was a student at Sydney Grammar.
“I was inspired by my time at Google – where we had fun, creative communal workspaces that fostered some of the greatest minds on the planet. They call this ‘work-life blend’ in Silicon Valley – the idea that when you’re really passionate about something, there doesn’t always need to be a distinction between your work and your personal life.”
At Talent 100, the center aims to build on the successful ‘third place’ concept – an innovation introduced to Talent 100 by CEO, Sarah Spiteri, and practiced by education experts around the world – that creates a unique space between school and home.
“The third place concept ensures a healthy mindset, providing students with a proven, holistic approach to mastering the HSC that will help them navigate their way through rapidly changing academic and career dynamics,” says Mr Chua.
“Education in Australia is experiencing a seismic shift.
“The best jobs of today did not exist 20 years ago and we need to provide skills that help students adapt to rapid changes in technology and the economy.
“Whether that is a Google Software Engineer working on projects that will change the world to research, science and technology that change the way people access health care to technological innovation that will reduce our global environmental footprint on the earth.”
Launching on August 25, 2015 the centre will include the following features, inspired by Google offices in Silicon Valley and New York;
• Recharge and refocus areas offering mindfulness, meditation, digital yoga and brain training via smart screens
• Digital innovation such as interactive ipad stations and information zones, interactive LCD’s and iBeacons to augment their experience
• A fully functional open plan kitchen that forms the central hub of the centre designed to encourage informal community learning and sharing – a significant feature of all Google offices and a major design feature for the Talent 100 centre
• Inspirational classrooms with moving ergonomic chairs designed by ideo one of the world’s leading creative innovation and design thinking companies
• Break out spaces and pods where you can connect via USB ports to study alone and in groups
• Integrated technology learning experiences with a digital e-learning platform so students can have support and materials anytime, anywhere
The new Talent 100 learning centre will be based at Chatswood on Sydney’s north shore, with classes being offered after school and on weekends 7 days a week from 9am to 8pm.
“More and more we are finding that students are engaging in tutoring a lot earlier as they are more informed on the need to bridge the significant gap between year 10 and 11 and learn ahead of their peers.
“Right now, our student base has a great mix of students from selective, public and private schools. I think that’s a testament to the meritocratic culture here. We have students from all socioeconomic backgrounds who share a passion for learning and achieving coming here”, says Mr Chua.
Richard started Talent 100 while at university (UNSW) and his vision was born from his desire to share his own unique and proven HSC scaling strategies with his students, providing them with insights on subject selection, the impact of schools on ATAR, and strategies for succeeding in the HSC.
Today, Richard spends his time in Boston studying an MBA Program at Harvard Business School joining the very school that has produced world famous alumni including Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, and New York City Mayor and Bloomberg LP founder Michael Bloomberg. Richard was chosen to study at Harvard for his ground-breaking approach to education, visionary thinking and successful entrepreneurial talent.
Richard Chua will travel from Boston, United States, to officially open the doors of his new HSC Learning Centre in Chatswood on Tuesday 25, August 2015.
For more information, visit www.talent-100.com.au.
