Education and sport opportunities through South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy

South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy students had opportunities such as doing a Certificate II on construction course with Hansen Yuncken (top right), create artwork for Adelaide trams (centre right) and represent the Aboriginal Basketball Academy (bottom right).

South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy from 2019 provided Aboriginal students with a unique sporting and educational programme within 21 high schools across South Australia.

The academy educators within the schools worked with school leaders and local communities across South Australia to give students the skills, opportunities and confidence to achieve sport, education, employment, healthy living and connection with their culture. Its academy streams were available to students in years 10, 11 and 12 studying for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy specialist academies were delivered one day per week during the school term by its staff in partnership with industry professionals. The specialist academies were for students with a keen interest pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) or playing sports at the highest level they can in basketball, football (soccer) or netball.

Students could select curriculum options including SACE stage 1 and 2 integrated learning, Aboriginal studies, and health and wellbeing. Students completed these through their South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy school-based academy, alongside their other chosen SACE subjects.

All South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy curriculum areas had a focus on Aboriginal culture, development of identity and leadership capacity building. They emphasised community engagement and Aboriginal voice. Embedding critical connections with culture and identity within SACE subjects was seen as strengthening students’ engagement in their learning and supporting them to complete the SACE and transition successfully from school to further education, training or employment.

Students in Year 10 could participate in the Aboriginal Career Exploration, delivered with the South Australian education department’s Workabout Centre. An expo enabled Aboriginal students from across the state to connect with employers, training, higher education and health providers. Academy students had block weeks where they learned about different industries, leading to an industry immersion week. School-based academy students could participate in two major events each year:

• The Santos Aboriginal Power Cup, delivered with Port Adelaide Football Club, and finishing with a football carnival towards the end of Semester 1.
• South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy Shield in Semester 2, alternating sports each year.

The South Australian Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy Connect program also was available to students in years 7, 8 and 9 at schools that had their own Connect programme. The Connect program supported positive student outcomes in: attendance, engagement in school and learning, understanding of culture and identity, leadership, healthy living, the transition from middle school to senior school, and literacy and numeracy skills.