2 Ovens Rd
Thornlie
Western Australia 6108

Phone: 0893762100

School profile and context:

Thornlie Senior High School is located 16 kilometres south east of Perth and caters for students in Years 8 to 12.

Our school takes a holistic approach to education and is concerned with the academic, social and physical progress and wellbeing of all our students. As a specialist sports school we offer scholarships to students wishing to join these exciting programs. Our Specialist Program in Rugby is available by application and a highly competitive selection process.

We offer student-centred learning programs, integrating information technology across our curriculum.

Our students have access to an Academic Excellence Pathway and a comprehensive music program.

Strong links with further education providers offers our students successful academic pathways leading to university entry and a broad range of vocational pathways leading to employment and further training. Thornlie Senior High School is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and provides nationally recognised qualifications from Certificate I to Certificate III in a range of industries.

Our students benefit from the latest technology and modern facilities including a commercial kitchen and well appointed gymnasium and performing arts centre.

The school has a well developed focus on pastoral care, catering to the needs of each student. All of our students belong to communities which comprise a Home Room and House.
We offer student-centred learning programs, integrating information technology across our curriculum. Our students have access to an Academic Excellence Pathway, a comprehensive music program, and a specialist program in Rugby.

Thornlie Senior High School is a Registered Training Organisation and provides nationally recognised qualifications from Certificate l to Certificate lll in a range of industries as well as traditional academic pathways linked to university entrance.

Program description:

We have a Big Picture Academy with an Advisory teacher and 16 Year 11 and 12 students. The advisory works individually with each student to develop an understanding of the student’s passions, strengths and weaknesses. Learning programs are devised to assist the project-based investigations. We address the social and emotional development needs of our BPA students by rebuilding social connections that have been fractured or lost. Several of our teachers are using Big Picture Design in their academic classes to encourage academic rigour amongst their students.
Due to the nature of our BP Academy, matching student passions with suitable internships takes considerable time. When a student gains an internship they gain real experience in a career pathway of their choice; and investigate specialist areas in the pathway.
Some of our internships:
• One student has an internship with a well-known manufacture of specialist drums. He is an excellent drummer, plays in a band and wants to make drums.
• Two students have internships with specialist music teachers at local primary schools. They are extremely interested in Music, studying for their Certificate II in Music.
• One student has an internship at a local childcare centre. This student is very interested in baby and infant development.
• Two male students who are very keen on Rugby have internships with our Rugby Academy coaching younger students.
• One student has an internship with our dance teacher and local dance school after school hours. In school he has choreographed dances, taught younger students and organised and run our school dance concert.
Exhibitions encourage academic rigour as the students are accountable for their own learning. Big Picture design has made a huge difference in our students’ lives. They had previously suffered low self- esteem and had lost confidence in their ability. They are now achieving, gaining confidence and are passionate about their learning; this would not have been possible in mainstream schooling.

Website: http://www.thornlieshs.wa.edu.au