About us: Distance Education
Australian Christian College - Southlands began to offer distance education at the start of 2008 and has received unprecedented interest from families across WA.
In only two years we have become the largest full time distance education school in WA with over 500 distance educated students.
By joining our school you and your children will become a part of a supportive learning community. Our caring, professional staff, will academically diagnose your children, they will assist with your training as a parent home-tutor and they will be available as teachers and support staff to accompany you on your new educational journey.
We understand that the choice to educate your child at home is a major decision. Many parents do not know where to begin.
To help you decide we have listed a series of questions that you should ask before choosing a distance education or home education program:
Does the program use a true Christian curriculum?
Australian Christian College – Southlands Answer:
Our program upholds the Bible and the Lordship of Christ in every subject. Scripture and Biblical principles are woven into the curriculum. Our 60 character traits are integral to the program as our main aim is discipleship and training for life.
12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Is there much preparation time required by the parent?
Australian Christian College – Southlands Answer:
Our program is pre-prepared and requires no lesson preparation by parents. This is a major factor that many home educators cite as a reason for joining. Not having to think about creating your own lessons frees you to focus on supervision, encouragement and the sharing of life examples with your children.
Do you provide free phone and online teacher support?
Australian Christian College – Southlands Answer:
Our fully qualified teaching staff are available to speak to both parents and students during normal school hours. This can be done by phone or online video link. Teachers are available to give one on one tutoring to each student enrolled and there is no limit on the number of times you may call in. The support is all included as part of your school fees.
What support is provided to parents?
Australian Christian College - Southlands Answer:
Parents are able to phone in to ask questions about their children's progress at any time. A parent mentor is able to visit all families in the greater Perth metropolitan area for encouragement and to explain all procedures. There is a teacher visitation program to visit most families in both urban and regional areas as required. Parent seminars are also often held at activity days. Informal parent support groups have also proved very popular where parents meet socially to support each other.
Are there opportunities for social interaction?
Australian Christian College – Southlands Answer:
We provide at least two activity days in Perth and regional areas each term where families join together for a day of organised activities. There is also our annual camp and leadership camp as well as seven parent support groups. Students are also able to join in online discussion and chat sessions on our fully moderated virtual campus.
Is there a need for a moderator visit from the Department of Education?
Australian Christian College – Southlands Answer:
Unlike many other programs and curriculum available in the marketplace we are a registered school in WA and therefore you will not be asked to open your home to a government representative or explain your program to a moderator.
Does your programme have a complete and effective phonics programme?
Australian Christian College – Southlands Answer:
Our early reading program is phonics based and teaches a mastery of the 44 sounds of the English language. Students are required to master this material before moving on to the first readers. Students who need extra revision are able to do so using our program.
Does your programme teach children "how" to learn?
Australian Christian College – Southlands Answer:
Life long learning skills such as goal setting, self-correction, and accountability are inherent in our instructional material. Rather than waiting or leaning on a teacher for explanations, our material is pitched at the level of the student whereby they are able to teach themselves. This prepares them well for doing their own research in the latter secondary years and beyond.
Does your curriculum cater for gifted students?
Australian Christian College – Southlands Answer:
ACE is a self paced curriculum so students can proceed as long as they have mastered the material. We have had students who graduated with a Year 12 certificate at age 11 years.
Is your program able to cater for students with learning difficulties or for those who have fallen behind academically?
Australian Christian College – Southlands Answer:
All new students start with diagnostic testing which enables us to identify any gaps in learning. Furthermore as our program is on a continuum and not tied into a school year like a normal lockstep classroom, students will start at exactly the level which is right for them.
Is your program able to cater for students with special needs?
Australian Christian College – Southlands Answer:
We believe we have a special ministry to students with disabilities and they are very welcome. Our highly experienced special needs staff already works closely with families who have students with ADD, ADHD, Anxiety Disorder, Asthma, Aspergers, Autism, Brain Injury, Cancer, CAPD, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Fatigue, Deaf and Hearing Impaired, Diabetes, Downs Syndrome, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Elective Mutism, Epilepsy, Global Development Delay, Head Injury, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Intellectual Disability, Renal Failure and Speech and Language Impairment.
Is your program affordable?
Australian Christian College – Southlands Answer:
Our distance education fees are one of the lowest of any private school in WA. Typically our fees are between 5%-25% of those of other private schools representing savings of thousands of dollars each year for each child enrolled. We keep our fees so low because we recognise your pivotal role as a parent supervisor in your child’s education program.
Do you offer a guarantee?
Australian Christian College - Southlands Answer:
Our promise to you is that if you are not completely satisfied with our program and choose to withdraw for any reason within 90 days of joining we will refund your application fee (normally $200). No questions asked.
More answers to questions can be found on our FAQ page.
To request an information pack click here.
