SAASTA (South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy)
SAASTA Connect
Year: 9
Semester: 2
SAASTA Connect is an elective curriculum program for year 9 Aboriginal students in Semester 2. The program acts as a pre-entry engagement and incentive program for students who are intending to enrol in the Whyalla SAASTA Academy in years 10, 11 and 12.
Through the SAASTA Connect program, students focus on:
- healthy living
- cultural identity
- Aboriginal languages
- traditional sports
- respectful relationships.
Students who maintain their Key Performance Indicators may be invited to attend the SAASTA Connect Camp and gain entry to the Academy in year 10.
SAASTA Academy
Years 10, 11 and 12
Semester: 1 and 2
Day: Tuesday
The SAASTA Academy program is developed for students in years 10 to 12 who are studying the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). The Academy takes place in a structured and highly supportive classroom environment by SAASTA teachers with the assistance of ASETOs and relevant community members to support the learning. The Whyalla SAASTA program includes students from Whyalla and Cowell.
In addition to the educational outcomes achieved by our students, we place a strong emphasis on enabling them to grow as people, connect with their culture and develop their leadership. As a result of this focus, SAASTA students are considered ambassadors and role models who represent not only SAASTA but Whyalla Secondary College, their families, and the Whyalla community. Students are required to achieve and maintain a set of standards known as Key Performance Indicators.
The SAASTA Academy is for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students on a ATAR, and/or SACE pathway. Students can select SAASTA in combination with other specialised programs and VET offered at the College. Your MIND Mentor or Care Group Teacher will be happy to talk to students about their subject selections inclusive of participation in SAASTA to ensure they achieve their personal, academic and pathway goals.
SAASTA Academy students are provided a uniform. They are invited to wear this uniform on their SAASTA day. It is a requirement that when students are wearing their SAASTA uniform that they wear it with pride and a high degree of respect for the brand.
In SAASTA, students can gain up to 70 SACE Credits:
Year 10
Stage 1 – Aboriginal Career Exploration Program Community Learning (10 Credits)
Stage 1 – Integrated Learning (10 Credits)
Stage 1 – Aboriginal Studies (10 Credits)
Year 11 and 12
Stage 2 – Integrated Learning (20 Credits)
Stage 2 – Health and Wellbeing (20 Credits)
Key Performance Indicators
| Attendance | All absences must be accounted for with Academy students required to maintain 80% attendance in all subject areas. |
| Commitment to Studies | With access to resources, mentors, tutors and key teaching staff, Academy students are expected to achieve academic success in all curriculum areas, including non-SAASTA subjects. |
| Behaviour | SAASTA has a zero-tolerance policy on dangerous and abusive behaviour, this includes cyber bullying and harassment. Academy students always adhere to the College’s behaviour expectations. |
| Engagement | Academy students show a high standard of teamwork and actively participate in all aspects of academy life. |
| Pride | Academy students represent SAASTA at school and in the community in a positive manner. They always wear their uniform correctly and with pride. |
| Respect | Academy students show a high standard of respect and courtesy toward all staff, students, coaches and visitors. They conduct themselves with a high standard of sportsmanship in all aspects of practice and competition. Respect of culture is of paramount importance. |
Elite Academies
SAASTA currently operates five sports academies and one STEM Academy in Adelaide in partnership with the following organisations:
- AFL Men’s – Port Adelaide Football Club
- AFL Women’s – Port Adelaide Football Club
- Football (soccer) – North Eastern Metro Stars Football Club
- Netball – Netball SA
- Basketball – Aboriginal Basketball Academy
- STEM – Wirltu Yarlu at the University of Adelaide.
Students are invited to trial for the elite academies in Term 3. Places in these academies are based on additional entry requirements.
Scholarships
A scholarship is generally an amount paid or allowed to a student at an educational institution for the purpose of study. A fellowship grant is generally an amount paid or allowed to an individual for the purpose of study or research.
Did you know there are currently more than 460 scholarship opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the Indigenous Pathway Portal? This is a great starting point for students who are intending to undertake tertiary studies next year and want to explore scholarship opportunities.
Find out more information here.
Inspiring Possibilities
