Hey everyone,
I felt it was important to address this myself as this decision is something that i've been considering for a few months now and i've finally managed to get the balls to do it.. so here goes.
As of a few weeks ago, I let the admins know that I intended on retiring as a national moderator in preparation for the new school year as my work is becoming extremely intense and I don't believe that I am able to continue with the same level of effort and activity as I once had. I believe that it is unfair for me to hold onto such an exclusive role where my activity is not consistent. This is my own personal belief and I have in the past, encouraged other mods who have been inactive to remove themselves from such roles... so you could say I am doing what I constantly rant on about.
I also think that I'm starting to get a little bit too old for this.. and as I have no affiliation with AN's physical presence, it makes no sense for me to continue to hold onto this role.
Over the past two years I feel that I have contributed quite a significant amount to the operation of the community here, from rule changes to consistently issuing warnings in line with our forum rules, but more importantly, attempting to boost the VCE Technology/IT sections and raving on about VTAC preferences. I believe that my input has assisted in steering the users and team to be more organised and as a result, a better functioning online community which is well supported by the other AN initiatives such as lectures, the study guides, Tutesmart and more.
I joined as a member in
2012 and have been a moderator since
early 2016. I started modding when I didn't have any sort of responsibility and was just another uni student going through the cycle. I am a teacher full-time now, which means I am responsible for hundreds of children in secondary school, and my sole focus must be on them. I am genuinely passionate about education and my career as a teacher, and I genuinely care about students who I teach. I absolutely love what I do.
I will continue to be a (somewhat) active presence on ATAR Notes, just not in a moderation capacity. I feel that this is best going forward to allow AN to continue to succeed well into the future.
I want to particularly thank brenden for initially allowing me the opportunity to become a moderator on ATAR Notes (without application, mind you). I managed to jump to national moderator in just a few months which was quite a unique and rare chance and I have embraced the role ever since.
To all the mods past and present, you each bring a unique attribute to ATAR Notes in terms of contribution and character, and this is what makes ATAR Notes great, a great leadership team which keeps the discussions flowing and provides different viewpoints which allows the team to consider all possible angles and perspectives.
AND to all users of our wonderful community!! ATAR Notes is a truly unique community where the support and genuine willingness to help somebody else in need is something that I have truly admired. Putting the competitiveness of the VCE/HSC system aside, nearly all questions asked are answered by somebody else, and this is truly a wonderful thing. So to all the users who create an account, ask a question, answer a question, write a guide or even just post in forum games, thank you for your contributions. You
are ATAR Notes and I only hope that each of you continue to help somebody else in need.
I am actually quite upset that I've had to do this... when you're part of a community for so long, it's very difficult to make a decision like this but I feel it is necessary.
I will be moving to
Honorary Moderator shortly. A new national moderator will be appointed in due course.. I have made my own recommendation but it is up to the admins who they decide on. I am sure whatever decision they make, it will be for the best moving forward
Thank you to everyone who has been so supportive and friendly to me over the past two years. You won't get rid of me entirely ... and i'm confident that I won't just be going AWOL.. I just need to be able to browse/post without the added responsibilities
I'll still be available via PM if you would like to ask me a question regarding IT/Compsci/teaching... While my activity won't really be the same anymore, I will get an email everytime a PM is sent so rest assured if you take the time, i'll be taking the time to reply to you.
Adios.
P.S - Thanks admins for keeping it on the down low until I was ready.
Aaron