learning at ashdale
Specialist Programs
At Ashdale Secondary College, we strive to develop talents, promote leadership, instil a love of learning and teach relevant skills for each student’s destination. We maintain high standards to ensure every student, regardless of talent, ability or background, is challenged and supported to achieve their personal best.
overview of SPECIALIST PROGRAMS AND ACADEMIES
We identify, acknowledge and foster students’ strengths. To embrace this philosophy, the College offers Specialist Programs and Academies that encourage students’ passion, commitment and skills.
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SPECIALIST PROGRAMS
ICT Approved Specialist Program
The ICT Approved Specialist Program at Ashdale Secondary College immerses students in innovation and creativity. Students will engage with the latest technology and teaching methods, placing them at the forefront of this exciting, fast-paced industry. As part of the ICT Approved Specialist Program, students can gain input in their learning, work on solutions to real-world problems, and engage with current research initiatives.
Students can choose between two institutes to further develop their knowledge and skills;
The ICT Approved Specialist Program requires a three-year commitment (Years 7 to 9) to develop the students as self-directed learners. Students must also commit to a compulsory one-hour lesson outside regular school hours, i.e. before or after school.
Out of Area Round 1 permissions slips are due by 3.30 pm on Thursday, 27 March 2025.
Specialised Autism Learning Program
Ashdale Secondary College is one of 12 selected state secondary schools that provide a Specialist Learning Program (SALP) for students with autism spectrum disorder in Years 7-12 to enhance their academic, social, and emotional outcomes. The SALP is a Department of Education-endorsed specialist educational program that is evidence-based, reflects academic research and is supported by the School of Special Educational Needs: Disability (SSEN:D).
Students in the Specialised Autism Learning Program have the academic potential to participate and achieve success in mainstream schooling and beyond, and through addressing the learning and engagement barriers, the SALP supports autistic learners to meet their potential and achieve positive school outcomes.
Ashdale Secondary College’s Specialised Autism Learning Program supports each autistic student as a unique individual to foster learning, engagement, academic achievement, and adaptive life skills. The SALP environment nurtures and supports autistic students’ learning and school experience by recognising their individual strengths, challenges, interests and identity. In our dedicated SALP Homeroom space, trained teachers and Education Assistants use evidence-based approaches with students while supporting staff in general learning environments. This ensures students receive consistent strategies and support across their school setting.
Entry to the Specialised Autism Learning Program at Ashdale Secondary College is limited.
Enrolments and Expressions of Interest application packs are requested by 16 May 2025. Any forms submitted after this date will not be accepted.
Please contact the College on 6207 1300 or email ashdale.sc@education.wa.edu.au if you have any further enquiries.
Soccer and Netball Academies
Ashdale Secondary College identifies, acknowledges and fosters its students’ strengths. To embrace this philosophy, the College offers a Netball and Soccer Academy that encourages students’ passion, commitment and skill in Physical Education.
Students in each Academy have the desire and commitment to improving their skills, gameplay and fitness to excel within the sporting arena. They proudly represent Ashdale Secondary College and are positive ambassadors for their Academy and the College.
Students within the Academy will focus on their chosen sport for two sessions of Physical Education each week. They will have the opportunity to build on their passion for the sport through the development of skills, fitness, strategies, tactics and officiating. Throughout the program, students have exposure to coaching experts and guest speakers, opportunities to attain coaching and umpiring qualifications and work with younger athletes from the cluster primary schools.
The focus of each Academy is not only on physical skills but the development of social and interpersonal skills, the sense of belonging to a team and the Ashdale Community.
Students are given various opportunities in each Academy, including team-building days, College representation at national sporting events and international tours.
Music Academy
The College offers a Music Academy that embraces students’ passion and commitment to extend their skills in Music. Students in the Music Academy have the desire and commitment to improving in all aspects of their musicality, developing their music theory and performance and ensemble skills to excel within the music industry. They proudly represent Ashdale Secondary College and are positive ambassadors for the Academy and the College.
We aim to provide an avenue for your child to achieve excellence in all areas of music, including writing, composition, and performance, with a focus on their chosen instrument or voice. Students within the Academy will have two sessions of class music each week, a weekly instrument/voice lesson through Instrumental Music School Services (IMSS) or their private tutor, and will participate in at least one school ensemble suitable for their
instrument/voice.
The Music Academy focuses not only on performance skills but the development of social and interpersonal skills, leadership skills, and a sense of belonging to the Ashdale Community. Students will have numerous performance opportunities throughout the program, including school services and assemblies, lunchtime concerts, mid-year and end-of-year concerts, community performances, external competitions, and adjudicated festivals.
If students continue into Senior School, they will complete the nationally recognised qualification of a Certificate II in Music Industry (Years 11 and 12 – 2 years) with a focus on Performance.
All students enrolled in the College’s Music Academy must learn an instrument or voice, either privately or through the school. The ASC Music Learning Area and IMSS run instrumental and voice lessons.
All music students must demonstrate a high level of commitment and dedication to be successful music students and to have a successful music department in the College.
Dance Enrichment Program
Ashdale Secondary College’s Dance Enrichment program is for Years 7 and 8 students. It provides a pathway for talented and passionate dance students to develop their skills further and extend their theoretical knowledge of Dance within a discrete learning environment for an entire year. This program runs twice per week before school and is in addition to a student’s regular weekly class timetable. Once accepted into the program, attendance is compulsory and will form part of a student’s regular attendance at the College. Students who are accepted into this program must demonstrate a genuine passion for Dance, demonstrate developed technical and performance skills, and have an excellent attendance record.
