Bankstown Senior College (BSC) is a NSW Department of Education secondary public school providing innovative alternatives to students of post compulsory age, new arrivals, refugees and/or re–entry students.
The College is situated 24 km southwest of the centre of Sydney and a short distance from Bankstown Station. It was established in 1991 to provide secondary education for students above the age of 15. Today, the college provides a high-quality education to individuals of a post compulsory schooling age.
In 2008, it became the first public secondary school in Sydney, to offer a 4-day school week. This provides students with an opportunity to pursue employment opportunities, reduces travel time or to complete family commitments on a Friday, while still receiving a full-time education.
The College prides itself on offering a broad flexible curriculum with an emphasis on individual patterns of study across a four-day week. Students' prior learning and cultural knowledge is recognised and valued. Emphasis is placed on differentiated teaching and learning. A full range of academic and vocational courses are available for students in Years 10–12. In addition, the College provides Intensive English courses for full and part-time students and preparation courses. The College hosts a post-compulsory age Intensive English Centre which prepares newly arrived students for entry to NSW secondary schools.
Bankstown Senior College is an outstanding environment for people who are seeking an alternative to traditional schooling. Study occurs within an adult learning environment of no uniforms or bells, which supports individuality and independence. Quality lessons are taught by a highly motivated and experienced staff. Modern, well-equipped computer rooms, excellent library facilities, spacious grounds and a modern cafeteria with international food are only some of the facilities on offer.
BSC strives for academic excellence. It offers a wide range of HSC courses as well as vocational education and training courses. Each year students achieve outstanding HSC results despite many being in Australia a very short time. As well, there are many leadership opportunities provided at BSC. An active Student Representative Council promotes inclusion and the development of students’ leadership skills.
Students in Year 10 classes have the opportunity to complete Stage 5 subjects as well as early access to Stage 6 VET courses, including Hospitality, Construction or Business Services
The on-campus Intensive English Centre provides language support for newly arrived migrant students of post-compulsory school age to develop literacy and numeracy skills.
BSC's ethnically diverse population is well supported through effective and proactive welfare support which links students to community-based resources. Annual events include Harmony Day, Wellness Day, team building activities, culturally based morning teas, lunches and guest speakers.
Students who enrol have made the decision to take responsibility for their own learning and have goals for their future. We realise that students who enrol at the College bring with them skills and knowledge gained formally or informally throughout their life experiences. These factors are considered by the teaching staff in their planning for the learning activities that will take place in their lessons. Staff understand that people learn in different ways and therefore require different methods of instruction to ensure learning takes place.
The College provides expert professionals and support structures through access to the Wellbeing Hub including a Head Teacher Wellbeing, a Student Support Officer (SSO), Community Liaison Officer (CLO), also onsite Psychologists and a dynamic team working through the Flexi Health Hub, that provide access to Allied Health professionals, such as Speech and Occupational Therapists.
I would welcome the opportunity of meeting you in person after you enrol at the College. Please take the opportunity of coming to the Principal’s office, so I can meet with you and officially welcome you to Bankstown Senior College.
I wish you well in this most important step you are taking which will be the beginning of a new future.
John Mazzitelli Principal