Special Interest Academy
Special Interest Academy
The Thebarton Senior College Special Interest Academy enables students to complete SACE and/or VET qualifications at the same time as pursuing their own passions and interests, be they entrepreneurial, dancing, sporting or performing arts.
Students are supported to complete the SACE compulsory subjects and achieve extra SACE credits that recognise their individual interests and pursuits. Students may also select from a broad range of curriculum offerings, depending on their training and/or course commitments.
In the Special Interest Academy, we recognise that all students' needs are different. We work with individual students and their families to ensure students can achieve their SACE and pursue their special interest.
Curriculum delivery is flexible and is delivered face-to-face and online. Most importantly, this program allows each student to have a range of future pathways beyond their special interest - in further education, training and work.
For students under 16 years of age: students must be a minimum of 15 years of age as at 1 January in the year of enrolment, however it is Principal discretion on whether a senior secondary environment would best suit the student.
For interested students, we also offer SACE Stage 1 and 2 Dance in the twilight time slot (4.00-7.00 pm once per week or 3.30-5.00 pm twice per week). Please see the Twilight Classes page for more information and to express your interest or enrol. All SACE subjects at the college are $100 per year.
To download our Special Interest Academy brochure please Click Here.
Student Success Stories
- Special Interest Academy students achieve their SACE while making the Grand Final of The Voice: Click Here
- Special Interest Academy student part of ground-breaking series that wins Best Kids: Live Action Series at the 2021 International Emmy Awards for global excellence in television: Click Here
Parent Testimonials
"My daughter is undertaking this programme at present and I can't recommend it highly enough. It has brought precious work life family balance to her busy schedule - an underrated life skill - without substituting quality or caring or pathways. So grateful for TSC, its dedicated, knowledgeable and passionate staff and flexible high quality programmes that empower students to pursue their passions to the full.""It's so nice when the hours of hard work and commitment and learning of dance can actually count towards a young person's schooling instead of having to compete with it. In our experience the partnership with Thebarton Senior College has never compromised the academic side either - I would say my daughter has thrived even more academically than she would have been able to if 'juggling' school vs 'balancing' it with dance. Considering how much life skills, growth, purpose and wellbeing dance has brought to her formative years, I am so very grateful this option was available vs having to give dance up or scale it back. I think my daughter is a happier, more balanced and grounded person for the mix of education she's been fortunate enough to access. The adult learning environment is liberating and refreshing. The staff and teachers are amazing -dedicated, knowledgeable, up-to-date, enthusiastic, encouraging and experienced. As a parent of a committed dance student I would highly recommend this."
"So proud to have made this choice for my son."
"We are really happy with the support for xxxxxx. I'm impressed that you have gotten to know my child so well, not only as a student but as a person."
"Great communication from teachers, nothing is a surprise."
"We feel like we are learning partners because of the awesome communication."
"It's beautiful to see xxxxx grow at TSC. Great support from teachers, my child now shines."
"Amazed at the program."
Partners
Partners of our Special Interest Academy Program:The Australian Company of Performing Arts (ACPA) - www.acpa.com.au
Partner organisations will need to establish a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Thebarton Senior College.