Programs

Information on career development.

IGNITE is a year 7-10 specialist learning program catered to the needs of gifted students, The program provides students with an environment to explore and develop their academic gifts, while supporting the development of fundamental life skills.

Aberfoyle Park High School is a large school in beautiful natural surrounds, only 30 minutes from Adelaide’s city centre. Our school participates in an active international program that provides our local students, staff and community with the opportunity to understand other cultures and to better understand and participate as members of our global community. We host both short term and long term international students as well as short term visits from international school groups. Our international students have the advantage of a co-educational environment, a dedicated and caring staff team that have an appreciation of learning principles, student achievement and student wellbeing.

Programs we offer

Our international program provides local students, staff and the wider community with exciting opportunities to engage with other cultures and build international connections. We welcome international students from around the world and offer programs that cater to a wide range of needs and goals, from short-term cultural visit to full high school graduation pathways. Students may stay from one week up to five years, depending on their chosen program:

High school graduate program

This long-term program is designed for students who wish to complete their secondary education in Australia and achieve the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). Students can stay for up to five years, progressing through our broad curriculum and preparing for tertiary education. To explore the range of subjects available, please refer to our curriculum information. Homestay accommodation is arranged through South Australian Government Schools and is supported by our school. For further information on homestay services, please visit https://www.internationalstudents.sa.edu.au/en/.

High school study abroad program

This flexible program gives international students the chance to experience the Australian lifestyle and education system for one term up to one year, before returning to complete their schooling in their home country. Homestay accommodation is coordinated by South Australian Government Schools with the support of our school. While some students may begin their journey in the ISEC (Intensive Secondary English Course) program, most students enter directly into mainstream classes.

Study tour program

Our study tour program is ideal for school groups looking for a short-term cultural and educational experience in Australia. These visits are typically one week and are customisable to meet the interests of each visiting group. Programs typically include English language classes, participation in regular classes with local student “buddies” and excursions to cultural and natural attractions in and around Adelaide. Visiting students stay with homestay families arranged by our school. This program has received consistent praise from visiting schools for its quality, organisation and the enriching experience.

If you would like to become a home stay family, please complete the application form and return to international secretary.

Homestay families sharing their experience

Click here for the terms and conditions for study tour homestay providers

School life and support

All international students participate in a comprehensive orientation on their first day. Each student is matched with a “buddy” to help them settle into school life and to feel supported from the beginning of their stay. International students are encouraged to join a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, lunchtime clubs and excursions and camps.

Throughout their time at our school, students receive ongoing support from our international team, wellbeing leaders and teaching staff, who work collaboratively to ensure both their academic progress and wellbeing are fully supported.

Over the past few years, our international program has continued to grow from strength to strength, enriching our whole school community through cross-cultural understanding and exchange.

Key personnel
Ms Kayoko Mino
International Student Program Manager
Kayoko.Mino552@schools.sa.edu.au

Ms Kim Wade
International Secretary
Kim.Wade540@schools.sa.edu.au

For more information about studying abroad in South Australia, please contact:
International Education Services
Department for Education
PO Box 1152, Adelaide SA 5001 | GFW, 31 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Telephone: +618 8226 3402 Fax: +618 8226 3655
Email: education.isp@sa.gov.au
Website: http://www.internationalstudents.sa.edu.au

Useful Links

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at Aberfoyle Park High School is committed to:

• Developing an exciting, relevant, inquiry based, engaging STEM curriculum for students in the middle years
• Increasing retention in STEM subjects at senior school
• Giving students opportunities to participate in activities, events and other initiatives such as scientists and mathematicians in schools, NASA at UniSA, SA Power Networks Drone Challenge, C2C Mars Challenge, Young Women in Technology Experience at University of Adelaide, STEM Taste of Flinders, Science Alive and International and National competitions
• Developing pathways to post school employment and careers in STEM industries
• Increasing student awareness, knowledge and skills that encourage graduates to leave school with the intention to gain the qualifications that will support their employment in STEM related occupations.
• Providing teachers with relevant skills and resources to support student learning
• Fostering sustainable partnerships with business, industry, community and tertiary groups to enhance students learning

Aberfoyle Park High School is the lead school in the Commonwealth funded Advanced Technology Project for the Southern Region of Adelaide. The project aims to increase the number of young people who undertake career pathways in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The Advanced Technology Industry School Pathways Program is an initiative funded from the Commonwealth by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO).

Our focus on STEM is driven by evidence that the demand for skills in STEM, especially in our growing defence, mining, bioscience, clean tech and food industries is outpacing the supply of skilled men and women. Current trends indicate that the number of jobs requiring STEM skills in SA will increase significantly by 2020.

These jobs will be most specifically in the areas of construction, engineering, mining, food production and advanced manufacturing. All of these STEM fields require students to have rigorous backgrounds in areas such as mathematics, physics, electronics and chemistry.

Sport is a vital and vibrant feature of the Aberfoyle Park High school program. The extensive range of sports and the variety of competitions provides opportunities for all students to participate.

We promote participation in an extensive sport program that provides students with opportunities to participate in both “come and try” and elite level competition. The sporting calendar promotes and supports Secondary School Sport SA programs locally and nationally. We provide students from year 9-12 with over 20 ‘specialised’ sports, health and fitness subjects to choose from.

Students from year 7-12 can participate in a variety of sporting activities such as athletics, basketball, netball, tennis, cricket, football, badminton, table tennis, cross country and aquatics. With a strong emphasis and regularly trainings held for both volleyball and soccer.

Our sports program is supported through our community school links to the Happy Valley Sports facilities which give us access to quality ovals, a soccer pitch, tennis and netball courts, bowling greens and even a BMX track.

Our house system supports and encourages teamwork, cooperation, participation and a sense of belonging. We have four houses, Karla (Red), Tirntu (Yellow), Yarta (Green) and Yarlu (Blue).

2026 Aberfoyle Park High School – House Captains

KARLA (MEANING FIRE) – RED HOUSE

TIRNTU (MEANING SUN) – YELLOW HOUSE

YARTA (MEANING EARTH) – GREEN HOUSE

YARLU (MEANING SEA) – BLUE HOUSE

A strong and dynamic performing and visual arts program at Aberfoyle Park High School highlights the talent of music, drama, dance, design and art students. The specialist Performing Arts Centre (PAC) plays host to numerous student productions each year.

Music

Aberfoyle Park High School offers a full and comprehensive Music program from year 8 through to year 12 when students can choose from courses in:

• Musicianship
• Solo performance
• Performance special study
• Ensemble
• Composing and arranging

If you study music at Aberfoyle Park High School, you will have the opportunity to participate in a number of instrumental and vocal ensembles. Students can choose to participate in:

• Concert band
• Big band
• String ensemble
• Choir
• A broad range of smaller specialist ensembles

Regular quality performance opportunities in a diversity of concert settings are provided to all music students. Music tours occur each year at Aberfoyle Park High School as well as participation in a number of high-profile music competitions and festivals. The Music Department gives regular public performances each year in a variety of venues. These include:

• School music nights
• Assessment concerts for senior students
• Community events
• Choral and band competitions, locally and interstate
• Cabarets and festivals

Up-to-date, relevant music technology is utilised in all music courses, including a well equipped, dedicated Performing Arts Apple Computer Suite. Information technology is used as a tool in composing, arranging, research and aural development.

Specialist music

Students wishing to commence or continue learning an ensemble instrument and participate in music ensembles should nominate for our full year music specialist program.

The performance-based courses provide students with access to free, small group instrumental lessons. Students participate in year level ensemble rehearsals and performances, study the theory of music, learn basic keyboard, aural and composition skills, engage in music technology projects and explore musical styles and history through practical music-making.

Please refer to the school music selection brochure for more details.

Drama

Students have the opportunity to explore the world of drama either as a performer or a technician. Courses have been designed for students to develop their acting skills and technical expertise which they demonstrate in a number of public performances throughout the year.

Dance

Dance provides opportunities for students to express their creativity and develops the skills of collaboration and teamwork. Students develop a wide range of skills in:

• Technique
• Choreography
• Performance

All students take part in an end of semester production in a professional theatre. Excursions to view professional productions and participation in workshops complement dance lessons at school.

Visual arts

A comprehensive visual arts program is offered by specialist teachers providing engaging programs with a broad range of media including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, fashion design and computer-aided design. Students have access to a dedicated Visual Arts computing suite and a variety of software programs to enhance their learning. Formal exhibitions of student work are encouraged at school and at SA Arts, Education and community venues

Please click on the music program for more information regarding specialist music at the school.