Learning

The Cowell Area School Oyster Lease and Aquaculture Program

The Aquaculture programme at Cowell Area School has grown from an idea put forward by a group of local oyster growers to a structured curriculum undertaken from Years 7-10 and the opportunity to participate in the Certificate 2 in Aquaculture at Year 11.

In 1991, Cowell oyster growers initiated contact with Cowell Area School and requested a course that would suitably equip students for entry into the Aquaculture industry. 1992 was spent developing a curriculum, in consultation with local oyster, yabby, abalone, and fin-fish growers, Department for Education, TAFE (Training and Further Education), AFA (Australian Fisheries Academy) and SAFITC (South Australian Fishing Industry Training Council).

The course was appropriate for the industry, while still maintaining the educational outcomes of an Australian Curriculum and SACE programme. The first course was offered in 1993 and has continued to grow to this day, with students having access to the school’s own two hectare lease in the protected waters of Franklin Harbour.

1999 saw the implementation of a full-time farm manager and a 0.5 time teacher to directly support students whilst in the classroom. Since 2000 the teaching position has been full time (1.0). Skills in aquaculture are gained through work placements within the industry, working on the school’s oyster lease and maintaining the fish farming tanks at the school.

Since 2012, Cowell Area School set up working partnerships with a Japanese Oyster Grower, and with the Tasmanian based business Shellfish Culture. This partnership involved sending staff and students to the places mentioned to get a first-hand experience of other oyster leases and parts of the aquaculture Industry. In 2014, Cowell Area School had the privilege of presenting at the 2014 World Aquaculture Conference in Adelaide.

In 2017 the school gained a grant from Natural Resource Management Eyre Peninsula and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) to install an estuary monitoring system. This system allows the school to collect, monitor and analyse data from the harbour, which can be used by the students and passed on to local industry and other environmental organisations.

The programme provides a terrific opportunity to make use of the local environment and connect with the local industry, whilst offering a potential career pathway to students.

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Intervention Programs

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SACE

Curriculum

Cowell Area School offers a wide range of subjects and extra curricula activities for all year levels. Click on the below icons for more information.

Primary School - Years R - 7

The school provides a varied curriculum which is guided by DfE (Department for Education) and the Australian Curriculum (ACARA). Together with the compulsory curriculum, there are many extra curricula activities.

R-6 Primary

English
Mathematics
Science
HASS (Humanities and Social Science)
Technologies (Design and Technology / Digital Technology)
Health and Physical Education
The Arts -Visual, Music, Drama, Media, Dance
LOTE (Languages Other Than English) – Indonesian

R-6 Extra Curricula Activities:

Assemblies, Student Representative Council (SRC), Swimming Carnival, Sports Day (Athletics), Interschool Sports (Athletics), Instrumental Music (Private), Dance (Private), SAPSASA (Cricket, Tennis, Football, Netball, Softball, Swimming, Athletics), Science Week, Academic Competitions, School Camps (including Gawler Ranges, Errappa, Adelaide, Port Lincoln and Whyalla) and various excursions, Book Week, Premiers Reading Challenge, performances for Senior Citizens.

Middle School - Years 7 - 9

7-9 Middle School

English
Mathematics
Science
HASS (History, Geography, Economics and Business, Civics and Citizenship)
Design and Technology / Digital Technology
Home Economics
Visual Art
Aquaculture
Health and Physical Education

7-9 Extra Curricula Activities:

Assemblies
Student Representative Council (SRC),
Swimming Carnival,
Sports Day (Athletics)
Interschool Sports (Athletics)
Instrumental Music (Private)
Dance (Private)
Science Week
Academic Competitions
Camps and various excursion

Senior School - Year 10

Cowell Area School offers a strong senior school curriculum. The senior school begins in year 10 and concludes in year 12 where students complete their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE).

Year 10

In year 10, Students are exposed to a large range of subjects over 2 semesters. These subjects include:

Mathematics
English
Science
History and Geography
Art/Design
Health and Physical Education
Home Economics and Child Studies
Tech Studies
Aquaculture
Personal Learning Plan
and more…

All year 10 subjects are assessed through either the Australian Curriculum and its relevant subject Achievement Standards, or SACE through its subject performance standards and other assessment procedures.

Year 10 students participate in a range of extra curricular activities including sports day, swimming carnival, SRC, the annual Adelaide Careers camp, Senior School formal, work experience program, curriculum competitions and more.

Senior School - Year 11

In year 11, Students begin their work on their South Australian Certificate of Education and are exposed to a large range of subjects over 2 semesters. These subjects include:

Mathematics – Essential, General, Mathematics
English- Essential, English
Sciences – Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Scientific Studies
History and Geography
Art and Design
Health and Physical Education
Food and Hospitality and Child Studies
Tech Studies
Certificate 2 in Aquaculture
Research Project
Community Studies
School Based Apprenticeship
VET Programs

All year 11 subjects are assessed through using the SACE performance standards (for that subject) and other SACE assessment procedures.

Year 11 students participate in a range of extra curricular activities including: sports day, swimming carnival, SRC, the Arts camp in Adelaide, Senior School formal, work experience program, curriculum competitions, Road Awareness Program, Pathways talks, University presentations, school sport and more

Senior School - Year 12

Year 12

Year 12

In year 12, Students continue and finish their work on their South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) and are exposed to a large range of subjects across the year. These subjects include:

Mathematics – Essential, General, Mathematical Methods, Specialist
English – Essential, English, English Literary Studies
Sciences – Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Scientific Studies
History and Geography
Art and Design
Health and Physical Education
Food and Hospitality and Child Studies
Tech Studies
Aquaculture
Research Project
Community Studies
School Based Apprenticeship
VET Programs

All year 12 subjects are assessed through using the SACE performance standards (for that subject) and other SACE assessment procedures including Moderation and External Assessment tasks.
Year 12 students participate in a range of extra-curricular activities including sports day, swimming carnival, SRC, the arts camp in Adelaide, senior school formal, work experience program, curriculum competitions, SATAC Seminar, school sport and more.