Senior High School (11-12)
98% of graduates from Tasmanian Senior High Schools receive an offer from an Australian university after applying. This is higher than any other Australian state.
Tasmania’s Government Senior High Schools are structured differently to some other Australian states. Students studying Years 11 and 12 (approximately 16-18 years of age) attend different campuses to those studying at Junior High Schools.
The structure of the Senior High Schools provides students with more independence and encourages them to develop a strong work ethic. The program is designed to help students develop a set of skills that they can apply to their tertiary studies and future employment.
Students are encouraged to ask questions, give their opinions and to participate in activities. The intention is to create students who can think and learn for themselves. If a student is having problems, they are expected to ask for help. Teachers are there to help and to make sure that every student passes, so extra tuition is always available.
The learning style in Senior Secondary Colleges may appear to be very casual at first. Students do not wear a uniform and their relationship with teachers is largely informal, but respectful. They will often call teachers by their first name.
Tasmania’s Senior High schools offer a large variety of subject options, as well as a great choice of extracurricular activities, including special interest courses, sports, and excursions.
Schools Available
Senior High Schools in the South of Tasmania
Hobart
Senior High Schools in the North of Tasmania
Launceston
Devonport
Burnie
Programs Available
Curriculum
In Years 11 and 12 you will be able to select which subjects you study. It is compulsory to study ESL, however, you can then select the subject areas that you would like to focus on. There is a wide range of subject areas on offer. Options include academic focussed subjects, such as Maths, Science, History, and Religion, but also recreational subjects such as Photography, Drama, and Outdoor Education.
Vocational training is also available at Tasmania’s Senior High Schools. Students are able to complete Certificate I and II in areas such as Hospitality, Tourism, Automotive, and Business, as well as many others. These courses connect into a pathway for further vocational training at TasTAFE.
Often the subjects that you select will be subjects that are relevant to your desired career.
Please click here to view a subject list. (PDF, 897 KB)
English as a Second Language (ESL) Tuition
In Senior High School, you will be required to study an English subject, for example, English as a Second Language, alongside your other elected subjects. If your English language level is advanced, you may choose to study an English subject with local students, such as English Communications, or English Writing. Additional English tuition and support will be available on-campus outside of this subject.
Assessment
Assessment in Senior High School will depend on which subjects you elect to study. For the majority of subjects, your assessment will include assignments, projects and tests throughout the school year, in addition to two examination periods per year. Generally, around 70% of your final marks are generated internally (from assignments etc), and 30% are generated from exams. This means that if you get very nervous for exams, or find that you do not perform very well in exams, that you can still achieve a good result in your subjects from your internal assessment.
Uniform
As Tasmania’s Senior High Schools treat students as adults and encourage them to develop independence and self-responsibility, you will not be required to wear a school uniform. You can choose what to wear to school, but typically students will wear casual clothing such as jeans, shorts/ a skirt, a jumper, and sneaker-style shoes.
2023 Tasmanian Schools Brochure
2023 Term Dates and Tuition Fees
English Tuition
Click here for information on English Tuition
Student Support
Tasmania’s Government Schools and TasTAFE pride themselves on providing outstanding care to international students. Click here for more information on the student support we offer.