Australian Christian College (ACC) Darling Downs will be offering Year 11 starting next year and Year 12 the following year due to strong enrolment growth, principal Jade Baker said.
“To accommodate the expansion, we will have an additional two new classrooms next year and we are planning for a further five classrooms for 2027,” Ms Baker said.
“In addition, we will be welcoming new staff and working closely with our national network of schools to ensure that we are offering a fantastic senior secondary experience for our first cohort of graduates.”
Ms Baker said the school was expecting about 12 Year 11 students to enrol in 2026.
“This Year 11 group will receive the best of both worlds as due to our collaboration with ACC schools nationally, they will experience some of the benefits of large schools, with the close support and care of a smaller school,” she said.
“We know from research that students are more successful when they feel supported by their teachers and peers.”
Ms Baker said the school would offer ATAR, general or vocational education and training (VET) pathways.
“Being able to offer the complete schooling experience to families will greatly benefit our wider community,” she said.
“Beginning high school or commencing senior secondary schooling can be crucial times in a child’s development and remaining in a community where all students are well known, well-loved and well taught can ease the tensions that families may experience at these key moments.”
According to WA-based school leavers administrator Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC), 9992 students did ATAR in 2024.
Meanwhile, the state government’s pathways to post-school success review found VET was one of the most challenging and contentious issues.
“The review surfaced sharp differences in stakeholder views about what VET offerings should be delivered to school students – signalling conflicting perspectives about the purpose of VET in schools,” the review said.
“VET in schools is a particularly valuable option for those students who might otherwise be at risk of disengaging from the school system, offering a way to strengthen student retention.”
Ms Baker said the change would also benefit the school community.
“The presence of senior students on campus can be inspirational for younger students and can help to reinforce the value of solid academic habits.”
