Senior School
Senior School
Students officially enter the Senior School in Year 9, allowing them to focus on more individualised learning programs based on their possible career options. As students move into this area of the school, individual subject counselling allows students to identify their learning strengths and focus on subjects they need to be successful when they complete school.
Benefits of completing your schooling at Keith Area School
- Broad range of academic subjects with a history of strong results leading to tertiary pathways at university and Tafe.
- Small classes where students have regular individual contact with their teacher each lesson, providing more support than in a large school.
- Strong connections with local and regional business and registered training organisations, allowing many students to being tertiary education sooner through school-based apprenticeships.
- Local delivery and Open Access options for students wanting to study specific courses not offered here at KAS.
- Access to the new Limestone Coast Technical College in Mount Gambier for a variety of mixed secondary and tertiary education for Year 10 – 12 students – free of charge!
Events and Activities
While in senior school, students have a number of opportunities to further their learning through extra-curricular programs. In any given year there may be a number of subject specific excursions to support that course; however, some of the great opportunities we offer can be seen below:
- Adelaide Careers Expo (Year 10)
- Mount Gambier Careers Expo (Year 10)
- Year 10 and 11 Work Experience
- Onsite presentations from universities, Tafe and apprenticeship network providers.
- Year 9 Aquatics Camp
- Year 12 Retreat
- Show Team
- Duke of Edinburgh Award
- KAS Café (Including fully funded barista and safe food handling)
Curriculum
At Year 9 and 10, students complete their final years of the SA Curriculum, and get some choice in a couple of elective subjects. This then expands in Year 11 and 12 where we offer a wide variety of SACE Stage 1 and 2 subjects through senior school. Students are introduced to the SACE through Exploring Identities and Futures (EIF), offered during Semester 1 of Year 10. In Year 11 and 12, students study a range of subjects to meet the required SACE completion pattern, which can be seen through the SACE course planner at the bottom of this page. The senior school handbook provides more information on the diverse range of subjects we offer here at Keith.
Flexible Learning Options
At Keith we offer a range of learning opportunities allowing students to explore interests outside of the general subjects offered.
- The Open Access College is utilised to offer individual students with a subject that may not be offered onsite. Students have two weekly lessons online and are monitored by our teachers to ensure success.
- Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs can be run in a number of ways. Generally, students at Keith complete a school-based apprenticeship/traineeship (see more below) with one of our local businesses; however, we can explore courses offered in neighbouring towns through various RTOs should they want to pursue a unique pathway.
- School Based Apprenticeships (SBA) offer students the ability to study part–time, while working and developing work-based competencies for their chosen career. We work closely with local business, apprenticeship brokers, apprenticeship centres and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) to offer appropriate training programs for student wishing to undertake an SBA.
Recognition for Community Learning
The SACE allows students to gain credit for a range of community-based learning opportunities.
- Community developed programs are existing programs that students can be involved in and learn skills related to a range of different tasks. A list of programs can be found on the SACE Board website; some local options include CFS Basic Fire fighter level 1, lifeguard and other Royal Lifesaving senior certificates and Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
- Self-directed Programs allow students to be recognised for a range of activities that are not formally recognised. Programs or activities are broad in nature and should be discussed with the Senior School Coordinator prior to applying for recognition. Students will need to write a short application and then attend an interview to show their level of involvement and learning through their activities.
SACE
The South Australian Certificate of Education has a number of subject requirements which must be completed to successfully attain a SACE Certificate.
There are two stages of the SACE:
- Stage 1, which usually begins in Year 10, with students studying the EIF, and continues through Year 11.
- Stage 2, which is usually undertaken in Year 12.
Each subject or course that is successfully completed earns ‘credits’ towards the SACE. Students receive a final grade from A to E for each Stage 1 subject and A+ to E– for Stage 2 subjects. Students receive 10 credits towards their SACE for each semester course they complete. It is important to note that this is just a guide, and there may be occasions where Year 11 students study Stage 2 courses and vice versa.
To qualify for the SACE students must:
- Complete a minimum of 200 credits
- Achieve a C grade or higher in the Stage 1 compulsory subjects
- Achieve a C– or higher in their chosen Stage 2 subjects.
The compulsory requirements are:
- Exploring Identities and Futures – 10 credits at Stage 1
- Literacy – at least 20 credits from a range of English subjects (Stage 1 or Stage 2)
- Numeracy – at least 10 credits from a range of mathematics subjects (Stage 1 or Stage 2)
- Activating Identities and Futures – 10 credits at Stage 2
- Other Stage 2 subjects – that total at least 60 credits
The remaining 90 credits are generally achieved through their Year 11 choices; however, can be gained through any additional Stage 1 or Stage 2 subjects or board-recognised courses (such as VET or community learning) of a student’s choice.
For more information, please contact the Senior School Coordinator, or click on the links below to look further at the SACE website and other useful resources.
Keith Area School Senior Secondary Handbook
SACE Planner
View SACE Course Planner
SACE Website
https://www.sace.sa.edu.au/studying/your-sace
Planning beyond SACE
https://www.sace.sa.edu.au/studying/your-sace/planning-beyond-sace
SATAC (South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre)
TafeSA
