Senior Years
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Senior Years

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Welcome to the Senior Years

In the Senior Years, our boys work hard to achieve their personal best through their final schooling years as we prepare them to make important decisions about their future. With a focus on academic excellence, wide-ranging co-curricular offerings and personalised wellbeing, our boys become young men of good character prepared to positively contribute to society. 

Academic excellence 

At Prince Alfred College, we prioritise a knowledge-rich curriculum to educate the whole boy and teach them how to achieve excellence during and beyond their time at school.

Our focus on a holistic education prepares our boys to succeed in a continually changing world. Our Senior School delivers high-quality teaching and an environment where boys are encouraged to strive for excellence as they explore their areas of academic interest.

A flexible curriculum

In the Senior School, we offer flexible curriculum options allowing each boy to tailor his best path to success. Boys can choose to study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) or follow a pathway through Vocational Education and Training (VET).

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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

The IBDP delivers a robust and rewarding curriculum which allows boys to achieve high levels of academic success. The curriculum provides a holistic education, breadth and depth of knowledge, and the opportunity to flourish intellectually, physically, emotionally and ethically.

Our boys consistently achieve globally outstanding results through the IBDP, and the credential is highly regarded by top universities in Australia and around the world. 

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South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE)

The SACE delivers a strong overall education which opens up many pathways for our boys to move into university study, vocational education or employment. The SACE equips students with skills, knowledge and personal capabilities through a broad range of educational experiences.

Boys seeking vocational paths have the opportunity to incorporate some vocational education and training as part of their SACE.

Our boys consistently achieve strong results in the SACE, and each year we have many boys awarded Australian Tertiary Admission Ranks (ATARs) above 95. 

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Vocational Education (VET)

For students who are interested in pursuing trades or other non-University pathways when they leave the College, PAC also offer students the opportunity to undertake vocational learning as part of their SACE.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) operates through a national training system and is delivered, assessed, and certified by Registered Training Organisations. VET courses or competencies can allow students to earn credits towards their SACE.

Students at PAC may also elect to follow a fully Vocationally Focussed Pathway at Year 12. 

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Year 10 Curriculum

Our Year 10 curriculum program guides each boy to discover the best academic pathway for his Senior Years. In Year 10, our boys study a range of core subjects in addition to three enriching elective choices and the Stage 1 subject, Exploring Identities and Futures. Through high-quality teaching and a broad range of educational experiences, our boys explore and develop their interests as they prepare to make informed decisions about their education in Years 11 and 12.

Academic support and extension

Our teaching and learning programs encourage boys to develop their natural curiosity and love of learning, and we expect every student to strive to achieve their best in all subjects. Through regular assessment, we monitor how each boy is performing and identify any needs for support or academic extension.

To help our Senior boys achieve excellence in their learning, each student has an assigned teacher as a tutor to guide their success and assist with personalised academic and pastoral care support.

In the Prince Alfred College Senior Years, enrichment and extension programs run parallel to our standard curriculum with boys encouraged to broaden and deepen their knowledge across a range of areas. In the Senior Years, we focus on realising the potential of every student and nurture each boy’s understanding of his personal interests and strengths, so he can begin to understand the place he wants to make for himself in the world.

Two academic extension teachers are allocated to each year group in the secondary school, each with a different focus and approach. The teachers’ brief is to broaden the educational experience, by introducing new areas of study, and encouraging critical and creative thought. Many of the themes the boys explore overlap, and this is important. For example, one’s appreciation of a work of art is enhanced by an understanding of historical context.

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Co-Curricular

Our extensive co-curricular program is integral to developing young men of wide-ranging interests and enhanced capability as part of the well-rounded education offered at PAC. Our boys discover their passions, broaden their knowledge and develop wide-ranging skills through more than 50 co-curricular opportunities including sport, chess, debating, public speaking, performing arts, mathematics, community service and outdoor education.

Boys in Years 10 and 11 are expected to participate in a minimum of two co-curricular activities and a minimum of one in Year 12. In the Senior Years, boys further develop and consolidate their leadership skills as camp leaders, academic tutors and managers of school-wide community service projects.  

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Student wellbeing

Our bespoke Wellbeing Framework is designed to develop character, compassion and resilience as part of a holistic education that nurtures the unique strengths, interests and potential of every boy. Grounded in our values of Respect, Excellence, Belonging and Endeavour, it shapes both who we are as a community and who we aspire to be.

Our dedicated team of educators, counsellors and support staff work in partnership with boys and parents to create a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every Senior Years student feels known, valued and connected. 

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Leadership

Leadership is an important part of the Senior Years experience. Students are encouraged to step forward, contribute their perspectives and take initiative in areas that matter to them and their peers. The positive influence of senior boys is central to the strength of our community.

Through their leadership, service and example, they inspire younger students, helping to foster a culture of character, responsibility and belonging while modelling what it means to be a young man of integrity and purpose.

Leadership opportunities in the Senior Years include Prefects; House Captains and Vice Captains; Boarding House Captains and Leaders; Captains of Co-Curricular and Student Voice Committee Members.

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