LEARNING

SASY uses an experiential approach to engage young people with the Australian curriculum, offering genuine opportunities to engage in the eight ACARA learning areas.

Student Centred Learning

SASY utilises a teaching approach that centres around the young person, providing them with the opportunity to have ownership of their learning, interests, needs and wants, and to have choice and options in their education journey.
 

Our pedagogical approach for teaching and learning creates a powerful, learner centred approach to education that drives engagement, and builds deep understanding. This approach cultivates critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to connect knowledge across disciplines, preparing young people to navigate real-world challenges with confidence and purpose.

Program Examples

Students complete their subjects in what we call 'Programs,' which are an amalgamation of multiple subject areas and are built around projects. Young people work individually or in groups, with additional subject or skill focussed lessons delivered as required. Integrated into the individual and group projects, young people are also developing specific skills such as collaboration, the ability to give and receive feedback and develop resilience.

Some projects that our Middle School students have participated in include:

• Creating a drag costume out of recycled products
• Mixed media artworks
• Sculpture art pieces
• Tiny house design
• Webpage design
• Clay animation movie production
• Surviving a zombie apocalypse
• Skate park design
• Science experiments in the CBD
• A study of the black plague and COVID-19 - history, science, culture, human behaviour
• Relationships, health & social media
• Climate change and sustainability
• Student event design
• Podcasting

Our Senior School is focussed on the journey, not the destination. 

Throughout this period, young people are supported to engage in SACE programs and explore a variety of positive pathways.

Senior School Pathway

The Senior School timeline at SASY is 3 years.

In a traditional school, typically students get one year for Stage 1 (Year 11) and one year for Stage 2 (Year 12). At SASY, we offer an additional year in Year 11. This means our young people spend 2 years in Ignite Hub, and 1 year in Empower Hub.

This offers our students the opportunity to adapt to Senior School and learn and grow in a timeline that better suits their needs, whilst still progressing through their education journey. There are circumstances where this can be flexible, but for the most part we find that this timeline is adequate for our cohort.

Offerings

SASY delivers SACE and Modified SACE, as well as offering electives. SASY also supports students who wish to undertake external VET subjects that contribute credits to their SACE Stage 1 and 2, as well as training and apprenticeships where appropriate.

SASY does not offer an ATAR. However, students can still enter tertiary pathways successfully and have done for many years. Please speak with Hub staff for more information.

SACE Compulsories

Students undertake four compulsory SACE subjects during their senior years at SASY. This includes EIF, Essential English, Essential Maths and AIF.

Vocational Education & Training (VET)

VET subjects are very popular with our students as they are typically more practical in nature than some SACE offerings and can provide eligible students with qualifications that they can use to gain employment.
Some examples of VET courses that students have undertaken include:

• Certificate II in Salon Assistant
• Certificate III in Community Services
• Certificate IV in Youth Work
   

VET opportunities are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed. Students are encouraged to speak with staff regarding their VET pathway options. 

SASY has a dedicated Pathways Lead staff member who consults with our Senior School students and identifies pathway options for young people who wish to pursue alternative education pathways.

At SASY, we recognise that success looks different for every young person.

Pathways

Students at SASY come to us from varying stages of life, from a multitude of backgrounds and with so many different needs and interests - so why would we expect them all to have the same goals? 

Whilst we absolutely celebrate and strive for SACE completion and graduation for each young person, we also help to identify other goals and pathways for young people who may want other options for themselves post-SASY. 

This can include:

• Employment
• Apprenticeships
• Tertiary Education
• Re-entry to mainstream schooling

• Further education or training (e.g. vocational training)

   

Part of a young person's journey in Senior School is to identify their pathway (e.g. employment, tertiary education) and to work towards this by undertaking subjects that contribute towards this in conjunction with completing their SACE. 

SACE is a part of the goal, but it's only one puzzle piece. At SASY we want our young people to leave us feeling prepared for their next steps, whatever they may be.

Stepping Out Program

'Beyond SASY: Your journey, Our Support'

We understand that leaving SASY is only the beginning of a young person's journey. To support this, we are proud to offer SASY's Stepping Out program, a community for SASY's graduates and school leavers. 

This includes access to networking, community activities, training, micro-grants, and other events.

Are you a SASY school leaver or graduate? For more information and to join the program email Sunny at js@sasy.sa.edu.au

Stepping Out Micro Grants

Members of the Stepping Out program have access to micro grants, which can contribute to a SASY leaver's next steps, whatever this may look like. 

Whether it is book for Uni, a laptop for TAFE, boots for work, a short course or gaining your Driver's licence, we can help. Apply here: Stepping Out Micro Grant Application