SAASTA will be delivering 28 school-based academies across South Australia for Aboriginal students in years 10, 11 and 12 in 2024.

Students complete SACE curriculum provided by SAASTA. The academies are delivered by educators within the 28 schools and are available to students who attend those schools and nearby schools.

Enrolments and locations

Students can apply to enrol in their area’s SAASTA school-based academy as part of their subject counselling.

Students at other schools within the area can apply to enrol in a nearby school’s SAASTA academy. These students will split their time across both sites and continue to attend their home school for their subjects outside of SAASTA.

SAASTA school-based academies and their host school:

• APY Lands hosted at Mimili Anangu School
• Avenues hosted at Avenues College
• Ceduna hosted at Ceduna Area School
• Central Yorke hosted at Central Yorke School
• Christies Beach hosted at Christies Beach High School
• Coober Pedy hosted at Coober Pedy Area School
• Craigmore hosted at Craigmore High School
• Far North hosted at Roxby Downs Area School
• Findon hosted at Findon High School
• Fleurieu hosted at Victor Harbor High School
• Gawler hosted at Gawler and District College
• Le Fevre hosted at Le Fevre High School
• Mark Oliphant hosted at Mark Oliphant College
• Murray Bridge hosted at Murray Bridge High School
• Ocean View hosted at Ocean View College
• Para Hills hosted at Para Hills High School
• Parafield Gardens hosted at Parafield Gardens High School
• Paralowie hosted at Paralowie School
• Playford hosted at Playford International College
• Port Augusta hosted at Port Augusta Secondary School
• Port Lincoln hosted at Port Lincoln High School
• Port Pirie hosted at John Pirie Secondary School
• Riverland hosted at Berri Regional Secondary School
• Salisbury hosted at Salisbury High School
• South East hosted at Grant High School
• Warriappendi hosted at Warriappendi School
• Whyalla hosted at Whyalla Secondary College
• Wirreanda hosted at Wirreanda Secondary School

Students can complete an expression of interest for enrolments into any of the SAASTA school-based academies. Your local SAASTA Schools Operations Coordinator will be in touch following your expression of interest.

Curriculum

Students can select SAASTA curriculum options including SACE stage 1 and 2 Integrated Learning, Aboriginal Studies, and Health and Wellbeing. Students complete these through their SAASTA school-based academy alongside their other chosen SACE subjects outside of SAASTA.

All SAASTA curriculum areas have a focus on Aboriginal culture, development of identity and leadership capacity building. They emphasise community engagement and Aboriginal voice.

Embedding critical connections with culture and identity within SACE subjects strengthens students’ engagement in their learning, supporting them to complete the SACE and transition successfully from school to further education, training or employment.

Aboriginal Career Exploration (ACE) program

Students in year 10 can participate in the Aboriginal Career Exploration (ACE) program.

The ACE program is delivered through a partnership between The Workabout Centre and SAASTA. It includes the ACE Expo, where Aboriginal students from across the state come together to connect with employers, training, higher education and health providers as they learn more about transition pathways from school to employment, training or further education.

Students participate in block weeks where they learn about different industries, which culminate in an industry immersion week. Students gain 10 SACE credits of Stage 1 Community Learning

Events for school-based academy students

School-based academy students are invited to participate in 2 major events each year:

• The Santos Aboriginal Power Cup, delivered in partnership with the Port Adelaide Football Club, and finishing with a football carnival towards the end of semester 1.
• SAASTA Shield in semester 2, that alternates sports each year.

These competitions support the connection between healthy lifestyle, completing the SACE and connecting with the community. They promote the health, social and economic benefits of combining sport and education, both at school and as students transition to post-school training, education and employment. To be involved, academy students must complete curriculum tasks, uphold behaviour standards and meet attendance requirements.

SAASTA’s annual events has more information.