Latest news with #Valentine
Time Business News
2 days ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Why Timing Still Shapes Every Rolex Story in 2025
Choosing when to purchase a Rolex is not a trivia question but a leverage point. The brand's share of Swiss watch turnover exceeded 32 % in 2024 and crept toward 33 % in Q1 2025, even while total industry volumes cooled by roughly 4 % (Morgan Stanley & LuxeConsult 2025 Report). That concentration means small shifts in supply or sentiment ripple quickly through price lists. In practical terms, the day you swipe your card can swing the final bill by a month's mortgage payment—something I learned firsthand in Lisbon this March when a dealer shaved €1 500 off a Submariner the moment quarter-end targets loomed. The goal of this guide is to make such moments predictable rather than lucky, combining hard numbers with life-cycle sense. For readers researching alternatives alongside authentic pieces, visit rolex-replicas to explore a curated catalogue. Retail schedules move with the precision of a chronometer. December's gift frenzy, February's Valentine surge, and the mid-June Father's Day spike all leave dealers over-stocked once the ribbons hit the trash. Smart collectors step in when showrooms echo. In 2024, average secondary-market ask prices for steel sports models fell 5.2 % in the first two weeks of January, then rebounded by early February (WatchCharts 2024). The same cadence repeated after Father's Day, suggesting a repeatable pattern rather than coincidence. Adding a simple 'two-week-after-gift-holiday' reminder to your phone can therefore function as a free discount voucher. Modern luxury chains manage to the quarter, not the calendar year. Sales managers risk bonus claw-backs if Q1, Q2, or Q3 ledgers miss plan, so they turn rigid MSRP into negotiable suggestions. Concentrate firepower on four cutoff dates: 31 March – First performance test; unsold Cellini and oyster-quartz references surface. 30 June – Mid-year inventory purge; gold-case dress models often see double-digit markdowns. 30 September – Last stock rotation before holiday allocations freeze. 31 December – Anything not nailed down is fair game. In September 2024, Daytona 116500LN premiums on a leading peer-to-peer platform narrowed from 23 % to 14 % inside 72 hours. Buyers who set alert filters captured the spread without leaving their sofa. Each April, Watches & Wonders detonates a news bomb. When Rolex introduced the titanium Yacht-Master 42 in 2024, trading prices for its white-gold predecessor dipped nearly 11 % within a month before climbing back once novelty faded. Similar dips are expected around the new 1908 complications teased for 2025. Strategy: pre-draft wish lists of discontinued or updated references, fund your escrow account, and pounce in the 30-day window after press day. Price data behave like tides—you can surf the swell or be dragged by it. Three tell-tales signal a market that is exhaling: listings older than 60 days, bid-ask spreads below 2 %, and forum chatter shifting from 'How high?' to 'Should I sell?' During the 2023-24 correction, Explorer II references lost roughly 18 % from January highs before leveling. Collectors who tracked those indicators on WatchCharts and Subdial Index timed entries at multi-year lows, converting patience into thousands saved. Since 2016, Rolex has lifted global list prices every January except pandemic-crippled 2020. The average bump from 2021-2025: 6.1 % on steel, 7.8 % on gold. Buying in December is therefore arithmetically smarter—yet timing is only half the game. Exchange-rate moves, rising material costs, and even U.S. tariff threats (see April 2025 31 % Switzerland import duty chatter) can trigger mid-year surcharges. Keep a watch on macro headlines: when gold breached US$2 400 /oz in January 2025, Rolex tacked an extra 3 % onto precious-metal SKUs weeks later. Economic turbulence shifts negotiating power to buyers. Secondary-market volumes jumped 12 % YoY during the 2023 tech-stock slump as owners liquidated discretionary assets. Deloitte's 2024 Pre-Owned Report shows that 47 % of sellers cited 'raise cash quickly' as the motive, up from 31 % in 2021. Cash-ready collectors exploited that stress, snagging GMT-Master 'Pepsi' pieces at single-digit premiums that would have seemed fantasy in 2022. A Rolex should never outrank your emergency fund. Simple rule: allocate no more than 5 % of net investable assets to a single discretionary watch. That ratio would have protected over-leveraged flippers who dumped hulking chronographs at 20 % losses during 2023's price retreat. Remember, opportunity cost compounds—€12 000 tied in a waitlist deposit is €12 000 not earning 4 % in a money-market fund. Yet when base finances are squared away, the same outlay becomes a luxury that pays dividends in daily enjoyment. Rolex itself markets the watch that 'marks a date.' There is logic beneath the slogan: emotional ROI smooths any modest overpayment. Popular trigger points include: Professional peaks – first partnership vote, Series A close Educational highs – PhD defense, language-fluency certification Family chapters – child's birth, silver anniversary Personal bests – ultra-marathon finish, charity funding goal I bought my Explorer II after completing the Camino de Santiago; every glance at the orange GMT hand recalls that 800-kilometre trek—far more valuable than the €800 price swing I could have saved waiting. High-demand references still command 'hurry-up-and-wait.' Average lead time for a ceramic-bezel Daytona at EU ADs stretched beyond 34 months in early 2025 (WatchPro audit). Building rapport—servicing a Datejust, ordering straps, and simply showing up—nudges your file to the top. Some collectors maintain a digital 'contact cadence' spreadsheet, noting every store visit and staff name. Overkill? Perhaps, but a dozen coffees can shave a year off a hot-model queue. The pre-owned segment is forecast to eclipse US$50 billion by 2030, and Rolex Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) outlets ballooned from 25 pilots in early 2024 to 107 doors by January 2025 before plateauing. This abundance improves transparency but also introduces spread: in April 2025, three-year-old Submariners ranged from –6 % to +18 % versus list, depending on provenance. Navigating that band requires structured data and a clear threshold of what 'fair' means for you. Secondary prices soften in tandem with macro wobbles, but they harden the moment equities rebound. Keeping an always-on price alert can reveal fleeting valleys. Example: during the NASDAQ pullback of May 2024, a yellow-gold Sky-Dweller slid 14 % below its six-month average; by July, gains in tech stocks had reversed 80 % of that drop. Acting in the trough demands confidence in your valuation homework. Market Backdrop Pre-Owned Edge Tactical Play Peak retail demand Zero wait time Accept moderate premium Price correction phase Value gap widens Accumulate core models Launch of new references Older models discounted Target discontinued SKUs Tariff / currency shock Sellers seek liquidity Negotiate all-in bundles A watch can be serviced; original papers cannot be re-issued. For vintage or limited references, box and papers can swing price by up to 25 %. Equally decisive is 'full-set originality' on items like bezels or dials. A 1999 A-serial 'Pepsi' GMT with tritium lume and no polish fetched 26 % above comparable pieces at a Geneva auction in November 2024. Ergo, when condition perfection aligns with your desired spec, jump—even if macro conditions feel lukewarm. The piece may not resurface for years. Many dream of catching the exact price bottom, yet spread-betting that point is statistically harder than timing an equity index. While you wait, annual Rolex hikes quietly widen the gap you hoped to close. Better hedge: define a 'value band' (say ±5 % of the six-month median) and commit when a target falls inside it. The mental freedom beats chasing unicorns. Paying February highs for a Submariner without checking waitlist length or currency shifts is like ignoring weather before sailing. In late 2022, offshore demand plus a weak euro pushed EU premiums sky-high; by March 2023, currency normalized and supply upticked, wiping 12 % off prices. Quick research could have flagged the hazard. Regularly cross-check AD wait times, WhatsApp group asking prices, and production rumours before wiring funds. The sweet spot to secure a Rolex forms where three vectors intersect: your financing comfort, observable market slack, and a watch that tugs at your narrative. Get two without the third and something feels off—either regret at overpaying or disappointment in a compromise model. Patience, data, and self-knowledge twine those vectors into a single, unmistakable signal to buy. When that moment arrives, trust your prep work, shake the dealer's hand, and start writing new memories with every tick of the seconds hand. What time of year usually offers the most inventory? January and early July often bring higher listings and more negotiable pricing as retailers unwind post-holiday stock. January and early July often bring higher listings and more negotiable pricing as retailers unwind post-holiday stock. Do Rolex prices ever really fall? Yes, especially in the pre-owned segment; popular sport models slid 10-15 percent during the 2023-24 correction before stabilising. Yes, especially in the pre-owned segment; popular sport models slid 10-15 percent during the 2023-24 correction before stabilising. Is waiting for a retail price increase announcement worth it? Buying before Rolex's typical January uplift can save 3-8 percent, assuming you're already financially prepared. Buying before Rolex's typical January uplift can save 3-8 percent, assuming you're already financially prepared. New vs. pre-owned—which is smarter in 2025? Pre-owned wins on immediate availability and diverse choice, but retail offers the full warranty and dealer relationship that may unlock future allocations. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
How Sprouts' focus on its target customers fuels growth
Sprouts Farmers Market is set to debut its inaugural loyalty program next month and scale it chainwide by the end of this year - and this is just the latest effort by the specialty grocer that centers its long-term growth around target customers Sprouts began implementing a target-customer-first approach to its growth plans five years ago, CEO Jack Sinclair said during a fireside chat at the Deutsche Bank Global Consumer Conference early this month. This plan involves focusing on the $200 billion market of "health enthusiast and innovation seeker" consumers rather than the entire $1.2 trillion grocery marketplace, he said. Sprouts will continue "shaping the business behind the target customer" as it further develops its supply chain, marketing strategies, product assortment and store growth, Sinclair said. The upcoming loyalty program serves as both a shopping experience enhancer and a way for the grocer to learn more about its shoppers. Rather than designing the loyalty program to resemble fellow grocers' apps and memberships, which tend to be more "transactional," Sprouts took inspiration from retailers like Sephora, REI and Ulta, Sinclair said. "When you open the app, it's individual to you," Sinclair said. "It makes it really clear, that personalization dynamic, so you feel special and feel something special. And we'll build on that by creating ways to spend your points that go beyond just getting money off [at] the register and how you access different things." Sprouts CFO Curtis Valentine noted that the benefits of the loyalty program won't happen overnight for the grocer and that gathering insight on its lower-frequency customers will take a little longer. However, the grocer still expects the program to "be a tailwind" for the next several years, he said. Bulking up store footprint, supply chain operations Sprouts' switch to a new small-format model has supercharged the grocer's store growth in recent years. The company has consistently opened at least 30 stores every year since 2023. This year, Sprouts aims to open at least 35 new locations. East Coast growth was a main focus for Sprouts, as that's where the company believed its target customers were - and Sprouts was right, the executives said. Whereas five years ago Florida and other states along the Atlantic were considered new markets, Sprouts is on the cusp of categorizing these regions as established markets, according to Valentine. This year, Sprouts is sticking to opening stores in states where it already has a presence. But the grocer already has its eyes on new markets where it hopes to debut in the coming years. Sprouts' sights are set on the Midwest and the Northeast, the executives said during the fireside chat, particularly in Chicago, Boston and the New York metro area, Sinclair said. Sprouts currently has between 1,200 and 1,400 sites "plotted out" with an ambition to "accelerate our unit growth" come 2027, Valentine said. To prepare for faster growth, Sprouts is working with its marketing team to establish awareness prior to opening stores, Sinclair said, adding that getting critical mass and exposure are going to be one of the chain's biggest challenges entering those three metropolitan areas. "We're thinking very hard about how we can market and move a little bit faster so that this dynamic of new markets and old markets fuse into one, and we're just able to open stores everywhere - and a little bit of that is building awareness in advance," according to Sinclair. The specialty grocer is also taking a closer look at its supply chain operations, Valentine said, specifically around leveraging self-distribution. The company is currently bringing this approach to its meat and seafood assortment on a wider scale, he said. Sinclair added that Sprouts is also eyeing self-distribution for its supplements and vitamins category. According to Sinclair, having better control over its supply chain will allow the grocer to "control our own destiny." Copyright 2025 Industry Dive. All rights reserved.
Barnama
5 days ago
- General
- Barnama
- Honouring Fathers In The Digital Era: A Timeless Bond Beyond Life And Time
Opinions on topical issues from thought leaders, columnists and editors. The singles may have Single's Day to show their love to self, couples celebrate Valentine, and there are also special days for us to show our love to our parents. Father's Day is a significant occasion where we honour the love, sacrifices, and guidance of fathers. The world may evolve and go through a myriad of changes but love will always be the centre of our lives. Humans of the modern world show this by assigning dates to celebrate love. The beauty of today's digital age is that time and distance no longer limit how we show love towards our fathers – what matters most is the sincerity behind the gesture. You can also take it up a notch by surprising him with a personalised digital gift in the form of a collage of his best photos, a playlist of his favourite tunes, or even a short film composed of family footage accompanied by messages from everyone in the family. Additionally, social media offers a platform for you to openly express your gratitude towards your father. A sincere post that includes a video message or a flashback photo might seem simple but it is an homage that will be appreciated by your anchor in life, your father. To still have your father with you is a blessing not many can enjoy. However, some of us might have responsibilities that take us away from our fathers. This is where technology helps. A video call can instantly span continents. Our presence, albeit digitally, means the world to our fathers. Use any communication application that you and your father are comfortable with to exchange tales and laugh together. If your father is one of those tech-savvy dads, you might want to splurge and give him a device or subscription service that suits his hobbies. If he is into fitness, a tracker would definitely put a smile on his face. He might even brag about it to his brisk-walk buddies at your local park which is definitely a way for him to show how much he felt loved by you. Ultimately, nothing compares to quality time away from screens. Visit him, have a meal with him, or just sit and listen if you can. A sincere "thank you" from the bottom of your heart is always appreciated. Honouring fathers we've lost Everyone of us will one day experience the loss of our parents. To those who have lost their father, Father's Day can be a gloomy one. However, it does not necessarily have to be so. In the words of Esther Perel, love is a verb, so continue to show love towards the fathers we have lost on this Father's Day. Technology can help you a lot with it. You can set up a memorial website, make a tribute film, or an online photo album so that those who are touched by your father can contribute pictures, stories, and memories. By doing so, you not only put action to your love, you also preserve the legacy of your one and only loved father. If typing is your technology master skill, you can dedicate a post for your father. Pour your longing and love for him in words that only you could say. You can put the post up on any of your social media in his honour. Perhaps, it could inspire someone to express their adoration to their father when they read it. You could also use internet platforms to donate to a cause he supported, light a virtual candle, or post a phrase he appreciated. These deeds not only honour our father but it also can help us cope with the void he left us with. We have to admit that not all of us are comfortable sharing our feelings online. Totally understandable. For those who prefer private celebration, technology can help reminisce the good times you have with your father with digital photo albums and memory videos. You can create a space of remembrance in your house by cooking a meal he enjoyed, putting on his favourite music, and go through those albums and videos. Not having your father with you on Father's Day can be hard and our hearts go out to you. Trust that though his physical self is no longer with you, his love will always be there. The heart matters most Father's Day is a time to celebrate love, appreciation, and the lasting memory of your father whether he is with you or lives in your heart. We have countless tools to help us to express our feelings in this digital era, but the genuine intention behind each gesture is the most important. Fathers, both present and departed, deserve to be honoured with love in any circumstances. -- BERNAMA Noraini Abd Samad is with Institut Aminuddin Baki; Dr Nurizah Md Ngadiran with the Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA and Hazila Kadir@Shahar with the Centre for Language Studies, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Lion Nate Burleson pouring his new vodka in metro Detroit over Father's Day weekend
When Nate Burleson was released by the Detroit Lions in 2014, fans questioned what would become of LionBlood Clothing Co., the wide receiver's clothing line centered on the Detroit team's mascot. It's been more than a decade since Burleson's time with the Lions, yet he's maintained the LionBlood Clothing Co. and his sense of Detroit pride, and this weekend, he's expanding the brand with a new venture — LionBlood Vodka. A collaboration with Ferndale distillery Valentine Distilling Co., LionBlood Orange Vodka is a made-in-Michigan, small-batch blend of Valentine vodka infused with notes of blood orange and elderflower. The former NFL star and Emmy Award-winning media personality approached Rifino Valentine, founder and president of Valentine Distilling Co. to create 'a vodka like no other,' according to a news release. "A lion sleeps in the heart of all of us,' Burleson said in the release, again nodding to the Lions' mascot. 'We hunt for what we want in this world, so the time is now. Remember to savor every sip and conquer your jungle.' The collaboration launches just in time for Father's Day, and Burleson, a father of three, is encouraging all dads to join him in metro Detroit for the celebration. Following an 11-year NFL career, the last four seasons with Detroit, Burleson became an analyst for the NFL Network. He joined "The NFL Today" on CBS in 2017 and has been a co-host of "CBS Mornings" since 2021. On Friday, June 13, Burleson will be pouring drinks and mingling with guests for a meet-and-greet at Belle's Lounge in Ferndale from 6-9 p.m. On Saturday, June 14, he'll sign bottles of LionBlood Orange at Kroger in St. Clair Shores from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The events offer an opportunity to enjoy a Michigan-made spirit with a Lions icon and a true champion of Detroit pride. Visit for more information. Friday, June 13, 6-9 p.m. - Belle's Lounge, 161 Vester St., Ferndale Saturday, June 14, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. - Kroger, 22801 Harper Ave., St. Clair Shores This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Ex-Lion Nate Burleson pouring new vodka in metro Detroit this weekend
The Advertiser
13-06-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
'I didn't see the point': why more Aussie students are leaving school early
Riley Valentine has never regretted leaving school early. She now works full time in a childcare centre looking after and educating three- and four-year-olds, something she knew from early high school was her career path. Ms Valentine, 21, left school at the end of year 11 and got her qualifications at TAFE in Sydney. "Me sitting through things that don't interest me at all - I didn't see the point to follow through if I knew what I wanted to do," she said. "It was easier access [than university] in the way that I could get in and do it earlier." Ms Valentine is not alone. More than 20 per cent of all Australian students drop out before the end of year 12 - and the rate is higher at government schools where one in four don't finish. The proportion of children completing high school has been steadily declining in Australia over the past 10 years, with some variation, according to the latest Productivity Commission Report on Government Services. In 2017, the retention rate for full time students in years 10 to 12 was 83.3 per cent. By 2024, that had dropped to 79.9 per cent. The same year the retention rate at public schools was 74.3 per cent, down from 79.8 per cent seven years earlier, although a slight increase since 2023. The head of research and advocacy at The Smith Family, Anne Hampshire, said there were two groups of early leavers and the first had positive post-school experiences, with a clear career pathway through apprenticeships and other vocational training. The second group was more cause for concern. "What's happening to them is they're being pushed out of school, in inverted commas, for a range of reasons. "And that could be they've had poor literacy and numeracy, they're not doing very well academically; they start to fall behind, they can't catch up," she said. They could even be bullied, have mental health problems, complex home lives - or a combination of these. "Some of them, they can't see the purpose in completing year 12," Ms Hampshire said. "And so, for them, they end up drifting out of school by these much more negative factors." Ms Hampshire said there was a strong link between finishing year 12 and positive work and study outcomes post-school. "Their engagement in post-school employment, education, training is much more precarious and uncertain, which is not good for them individually, but it's also not good for us as a nation," she said. Having ready access to dedicated careers advice in school was increasingly important as the skills needed for jobs became more sophisticated in a rapidly-changing, knowledge-based economy. "Many young people across the country aren't getting that high quality career support," Ms Hampshire said. "They might have one careers advisor for a large school of 1200 students." Efforts to lift literacy and numeracy levels at a primary school level were also crucial after the latest NAPLAN results showed about one in three students fell short of basic standards. And Ms Hampshire said children from poorer backgrounds and regional areas needed additional assistance to stay in school. But for Riley Valentine, there are no regrets - and even her parents eventually warmed to the idea of her quitting school in favour of TAFE. "At the start, because I mentioned it very early, they weren't on board with it," Ms Valentine said. "But later down the track, I think they realised how much I actually didn't belong in school, or they realised how much I wanted to do other things." Riley Valentine has never regretted leaving school early. She now works full time in a childcare centre looking after and educating three- and four-year-olds, something she knew from early high school was her career path. Ms Valentine, 21, left school at the end of year 11 and got her qualifications at TAFE in Sydney. "Me sitting through things that don't interest me at all - I didn't see the point to follow through if I knew what I wanted to do," she said. "It was easier access [than university] in the way that I could get in and do it earlier." Ms Valentine is not alone. More than 20 per cent of all Australian students drop out before the end of year 12 - and the rate is higher at government schools where one in four don't finish. The proportion of children completing high school has been steadily declining in Australia over the past 10 years, with some variation, according to the latest Productivity Commission Report on Government Services. In 2017, the retention rate for full time students in years 10 to 12 was 83.3 per cent. By 2024, that had dropped to 79.9 per cent. The same year the retention rate at public schools was 74.3 per cent, down from 79.8 per cent seven years earlier, although a slight increase since 2023. The head of research and advocacy at The Smith Family, Anne Hampshire, said there were two groups of early leavers and the first had positive post-school experiences, with a clear career pathway through apprenticeships and other vocational training. The second group was more cause for concern. "What's happening to them is they're being pushed out of school, in inverted commas, for a range of reasons. "And that could be they've had poor literacy and numeracy, they're not doing very well academically; they start to fall behind, they can't catch up," she said. They could even be bullied, have mental health problems, complex home lives - or a combination of these. "Some of them, they can't see the purpose in completing year 12," Ms Hampshire said. "And so, for them, they end up drifting out of school by these much more negative factors." Ms Hampshire said there was a strong link between finishing year 12 and positive work and study outcomes post-school. "Their engagement in post-school employment, education, training is much more precarious and uncertain, which is not good for them individually, but it's also not good for us as a nation," she said. Having ready access to dedicated careers advice in school was increasingly important as the skills needed for jobs became more sophisticated in a rapidly-changing, knowledge-based economy. "Many young people across the country aren't getting that high quality career support," Ms Hampshire said. "They might have one careers advisor for a large school of 1200 students." Efforts to lift literacy and numeracy levels at a primary school level were also crucial after the latest NAPLAN results showed about one in three students fell short of basic standards. And Ms Hampshire said children from poorer backgrounds and regional areas needed additional assistance to stay in school. But for Riley Valentine, there are no regrets - and even her parents eventually warmed to the idea of her quitting school in favour of TAFE. "At the start, because I mentioned it very early, they weren't on board with it," Ms Valentine said. "But later down the track, I think they realised how much I actually didn't belong in school, or they realised how much I wanted to do other things." Riley Valentine has never regretted leaving school early. She now works full time in a childcare centre looking after and educating three- and four-year-olds, something she knew from early high school was her career path. Ms Valentine, 21, left school at the end of year 11 and got her qualifications at TAFE in Sydney. "Me sitting through things that don't interest me at all - I didn't see the point to follow through if I knew what I wanted to do," she said. "It was easier access [than university] in the way that I could get in and do it earlier." Ms Valentine is not alone. More than 20 per cent of all Australian students drop out before the end of year 12 - and the rate is higher at government schools where one in four don't finish. The proportion of children completing high school has been steadily declining in Australia over the past 10 years, with some variation, according to the latest Productivity Commission Report on Government Services. In 2017, the retention rate for full time students in years 10 to 12 was 83.3 per cent. By 2024, that had dropped to 79.9 per cent. The same year the retention rate at public schools was 74.3 per cent, down from 79.8 per cent seven years earlier, although a slight increase since 2023. The head of research and advocacy at The Smith Family, Anne Hampshire, said there were two groups of early leavers and the first had positive post-school experiences, with a clear career pathway through apprenticeships and other vocational training. The second group was more cause for concern. "What's happening to them is they're being pushed out of school, in inverted commas, for a range of reasons. "And that could be they've had poor literacy and numeracy, they're not doing very well academically; they start to fall behind, they can't catch up," she said. They could even be bullied, have mental health problems, complex home lives - or a combination of these. "Some of them, they can't see the purpose in completing year 12," Ms Hampshire said. "And so, for them, they end up drifting out of school by these much more negative factors." Ms Hampshire said there was a strong link between finishing year 12 and positive work and study outcomes post-school. "Their engagement in post-school employment, education, training is much more precarious and uncertain, which is not good for them individually, but it's also not good for us as a nation," she said. Having ready access to dedicated careers advice in school was increasingly important as the skills needed for jobs became more sophisticated in a rapidly-changing, knowledge-based economy. "Many young people across the country aren't getting that high quality career support," Ms Hampshire said. "They might have one careers advisor for a large school of 1200 students." Efforts to lift literacy and numeracy levels at a primary school level were also crucial after the latest NAPLAN results showed about one in three students fell short of basic standards. And Ms Hampshire said children from poorer backgrounds and regional areas needed additional assistance to stay in school. But for Riley Valentine, there are no regrets - and even her parents eventually warmed to the idea of her quitting school in favour of TAFE. "At the start, because I mentioned it very early, they weren't on board with it," Ms Valentine said. "But later down the track, I think they realised how much I actually didn't belong in school, or they realised how much I wanted to do other things." Riley Valentine has never regretted leaving school early. She now works full time in a childcare centre looking after and educating three- and four-year-olds, something she knew from early high school was her career path. Ms Valentine, 21, left school at the end of year 11 and got her qualifications at TAFE in Sydney. "Me sitting through things that don't interest me at all - I didn't see the point to follow through if I knew what I wanted to do," she said. "It was easier access [than university] in the way that I could get in and do it earlier." Ms Valentine is not alone. More than 20 per cent of all Australian students drop out before the end of year 12 - and the rate is higher at government schools where one in four don't finish. The proportion of children completing high school has been steadily declining in Australia over the past 10 years, with some variation, according to the latest Productivity Commission Report on Government Services. In 2017, the retention rate for full time students in years 10 to 12 was 83.3 per cent. By 2024, that had dropped to 79.9 per cent. The same year the retention rate at public schools was 74.3 per cent, down from 79.8 per cent seven years earlier, although a slight increase since 2023. The head of research and advocacy at The Smith Family, Anne Hampshire, said there were two groups of early leavers and the first had positive post-school experiences, with a clear career pathway through apprenticeships and other vocational training. The second group was more cause for concern. "What's happening to them is they're being pushed out of school, in inverted commas, for a range of reasons. "And that could be they've had poor literacy and numeracy, they're not doing very well academically; they start to fall behind, they can't catch up," she said. They could even be bullied, have mental health problems, complex home lives - or a combination of these. "Some of them, they can't see the purpose in completing year 12," Ms Hampshire said. "And so, for them, they end up drifting out of school by these much more negative factors." Ms Hampshire said there was a strong link between finishing year 12 and positive work and study outcomes post-school. "Their engagement in post-school employment, education, training is much more precarious and uncertain, which is not good for them individually, but it's also not good for us as a nation," she said. Having ready access to dedicated careers advice in school was increasingly important as the skills needed for jobs became more sophisticated in a rapidly-changing, knowledge-based economy. "Many young people across the country aren't getting that high quality career support," Ms Hampshire said. "They might have one careers advisor for a large school of 1200 students." Efforts to lift literacy and numeracy levels at a primary school level were also crucial after the latest NAPLAN results showed about one in three students fell short of basic standards. And Ms Hampshire said children from poorer backgrounds and regional areas needed additional assistance to stay in school. But for Riley Valentine, there are no regrets - and even her parents eventually warmed to the idea of her quitting school in favour of TAFE. "At the start, because I mentioned it very early, they weren't on board with it," Ms Valentine said. "But later down the track, I think they realised how much I actually didn't belong in school, or they realised how much I wanted to do other things."
