For Parents
Independent schools provide choice, diversity, innovation and excellence in education and enable families to choose an education that best meets the needs of their child and family. South Australian Independent schools educate students within a curriculum underpinned by a diverse range of religious beliefs (Anglican, Baptist, Christian, Christadelphian, Greek Orthodox, Islamic, Lutheran, Seventh-day Adventist, Uniting) and educational philosophies (Montessori, Waldorf Steiner). The sector also includes a number of secular schools and a special school which educates students with severe disabilities.
Choosing the Right School for Your Child
Choosing the right school for your child can be a challenging task. A clear sense of the kind of school and education you are seeking will make the process easier. Schools will have information they can send to you about curriculum, fees, ethos, etc. A visit to the school can also help. All schools should welcome this visit.
Search our Member Schools
To learn more about our schools and assist you in finding the appropriate school for your child, you can search through our schools by location, gender, religion, and/or year level. We have included email and website links to schools for further information. All information is kept as accurate as possible. It is subject to modification, and changes are made on a regular basis.
Term Dates
Individual schools should be contacted for details of their own particular arrangements. Some schools may commence Term 1 a week early, and take a three week break in either April or July.
2020 Term Dates
2020 |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
Term 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term Dates | 28 January – 9 April | 27 April – 26 June or 27 April to 3 July |
20 July – 25 September | 12 October – 4 December or 12 October – 11 December |
| Exeat Dates | 15-16 February, 7-9 March, 28-29 March |
16-17 May, 6-8 June |
8-9 August, 4-7 September |
31 October, 1 November, 21-22 November |
| Department for Education Term Dates | 28 January – 9 April | 27 April – 3 July | 20 July – 25 September | 1 October – 11 December |
2020 Public Holidays
| Wednesday 1 January: New Year’s Day Monday 27 January: Australia Day Monday 9 March: March public holiday Friday 10 April: Good Friday Monday 13 April: Easter Monday |
Monday 8 June: Queen’s Birthday & Volunteers’ Day Monday 5 October: Labour Day Friday 25 December: Christmas Day Monday 28 December: Proclamation Day |
2021 Term Dates
2021 |
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
Term 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term Dates | 27 January – 1 or 9 April or 1 February – 9 or 16 April |
20 April – 25 June or 27 April to 25 June or 2 July or 3 May – 2 or 9 July |
19 July – 24 September or 26 July – 1 October |
11 October – 3 or 10 December or 18 October – 14 December |
| Exeat Dates | 13-14 February, 6-8 March | 15-16 May, 12-14 June | 7-8 August, 4-6 September | 30-31 October, 20-21 November |
| Department for Education & Catholic Education SA Term Dates |
27 January – 9 April | 27 April – 2 July | 19 July – 24 September | 11 October – 10 December |
2021 Public Holidays
| Friday 1 January: New Year’s Day Tuesday 26 January: Australia Day Monday 8 March: Adelaide Cup Day Friday 2 April: Good Friday Monday 5 April: Easter Monday |
Monday 26 April: Anzac Day Monday 14 June: Queen’s Birthday & Volunteers’ Day Monday 4 October: Labour Day Monday 27 December: Christmas Day Public Holiday Tuesday 28 December: Proclamation Day |
Australian Bushfires: Resources for Families
Dealing with the impact of the Australian Bushfires will be a significant challenge for many. Please consider the following resources related to the wellbeing of children and adults during this difficult time: Australian Bushfires – Wellbeing Resources for Families
The Australian National University (ANU) has also released a series of factsheets on how to protect yourself and others from bushfire smoke:
What is bushfire smoke and how harmful is it
How to protect yourself and others from bushfire smoke
How to monitor local conditions
Parent Initiatives in Education (PIE) Grants Program
The PIE Grants Program aims to support parent groups to increase the participation of parents/carers in their child’s school community. The AISSA administers the program on behalf the Minister for Education.
The grants are intended to support schools and preschools and their communities to develop innovative projects or new initiatives which will:
- Encourage and promote greater participation of parents and caregivers who are not well represented in their school and preschool decision making; and/or
- Encourage and increase an understanding by parents and caregivers of their role in supporting children and young people’s learning in literacy and numeracy through parent engagement strategies.
For more information please contact the AISSA on +61 8179 1400 or email office@ais.sa.edu.au.
Scholarships: South Australian Co-operative Entry Program
The South Australian Co-operative Entry Program (ACEP) is for Year 8 scholarship entry to Independent and Catholic schools in 2021. Some schools offer this scholarship for students entering Year 7. The scholarship testing is organised by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER). For details of schools participating in the ACEP test and registration details, please visit www.acer.edu.au/acep or telephone (03) 9277 5749.
School Governance
AISSA is committed to assisting its member schools to undertake effective and professional governance arrangements through a major annual conference, workshops and on an individual school basis as required. There have been substantial developments in governance theory and practice in recent years of which boards need to be aware if they are to lead their schools successfully into the future. AISSA understands that effective governance is critical to the growth, health and innovative spirit of the sector and for education provision as a whole.
NAPLAN
The National Assessment Program (NAP) assists governments, education authorities and schools to determine whether young Australians are reaching important educational goals.
The NAP includes:
- The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)
- Three-yearly NAP sample assessments in science literacy, civics and citizenship, and information and communication technology (ICT) literacy
- International sample assessments.
In May of every year, students in years 3, 5, 7 and 9 take part in the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN). NAPLAN was introduced in 2008 and is part of the NAP.
From 2018 the Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority (ACARA) is working towards moving NAPLAN online. Over a four-year period, schools across Australia will move to having students complete the NAPLAN tests using a computer or another electronic device, such as a tablet.
To access an overview of the format of the paper tests, a full set of example tests is available. Parents and students are able to see what the online tests look like by visiting the public demonstration site.
In 2020 the commencement of NAPLAN testing coincides with the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. ACARA has provided information in support of students observing Ramadan and undertaking NAPLAN.
Schools will receive NAPLAN reports for their students from mid-August. The same report format is used for every student in Australia. The school will notify you when the reports are being sent home and is your first point of contact for any questions.
General Information
General information can be accessed below:
2020 NAPLAN Paper Parent Brochure
2020 NAPLAN Online Parent Brochure
2020 NAPLAN Testing Dates
States and Territories have agreed on the following schedule of dates for the NAPLAN in 2020:
2020 NAPLAN Online test window: 12–22 May*
2020 NAPLAN paper tests: 12–14 May
*To assist schools in ensuring they have a sufficient number of devices, the test window for NAPLAN Online is extended from three to nine days to allow flexibility for tests to be staggered.
Useful Resources for Parents
AISSA Member Schools Code of Social Conduct
Bushfires and Your Child’s School: A Guide for Families
the Raising Children Network
Child Protection Training for Volunteers
An interactive online course about child protection for volunteers is available at the link below. The course features audio so users should ensure they have speakers or headphones available before beginning. A certificate of participation will be issued at the completion of the course. The course takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.
www.plink.sa.edu.au (please select the Non-Department sign-up option)
RAN EC Volunteers plink user guide
National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
The National Principles reflect the ten child safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, with a broader scope that goes beyond child sexual abuse to cover other forms of harm to children and young people. In February 2019, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed the National Principles which aim to provide a nationally consistent approach to creating organisational cultures that foster child safety and wellbeing across all sectors in Australia, including schools and Early Learning Centres. All states are currently working towards implementing them and the AISSA is part of the SA education cross sector reference group. Parent information can be found here.