Maitland Area School

Maitland Area School is centrally located on the Yorke Peninsula approx 170km from Adelaide. It is a complex school with an R-12 population of approx.270 students that are arranged into Junior (R-6), and Senior (7-12) schools. The school is classified as not only a rural and an isolated school but also a Level 3 Disadvantaged school with 120 Government Assisted students.

The Point Pearce Aboriginal community is 20km south of Maitland, with all Grade 3 and above students from there attending MAS. We currently have an Aboriginal enrolment of 59 students who either live in Maitland, Port Victoria or Point Pearce.

There is also Term by Term entry from the Maitland Kindergarten.

Maitland Area School is a mainstream school provider of Special Education on the Peninsula with a current FTE allocation of 1.43 which is converted to SSO hours.The nearest Special Education Unit is at Moonta 34kms away.

A comprehensive curriculum is offered to all students with important priorities being literacy and numeracy, and vocational education in the secondary section. Students can choose a variety of semester length units in areas of Health & Physical Education, The Arts and Technology, within a balanced pattern. Students also study Japanese (introduced in 2005) and may undertake to study a musical instrument as well as Agriculture. A comprehensive range of SACE Stage 1 and Stage 2 courses operate in the Senior School, including opportunities for students to undertake VET programs.

Over the years, Maitland Area School has achieved a high degree of community support. This is highly valued by the school and is essential in its achieving educational goals. Parents in the community are highly supportive of the School and there is a very active Governing Council and Parents & Friends Association. This support is also evident in the appearance of our students in that every student wears the school uniform. Parents provide valuable support and contribute to fundraising activities such as the annual Quiz Night.

A feature of Maitland Area School is cultural inclusivity and acceptance. The School has a proud tradition of striving for excellence in both the academic and sporting arenas. Participation of students in various national and statewide competitions is encouraged. In all sports days and sporting events, the focus is on maximum student participation. Students are encouraged in swimming and various Knock-out sport activities.

Maitland Area School is committed to providing a learning culture that is inclusive, creative and enlightened in a secure, positive environment where respect, teamwork and success are valued. We work in partnership with our community to prepare students for global citizenship.

We believe that a school should be a place where:

• All people feel safe, supported, and their cultural values respected Positive relationships develop
• People enjoy learning and teaching
• The life experiences of students, parents, staff and community are valued, contribute to and enrich education
• People are accountable and accept responsibility for their choices of action and behaviour
• Each student is challenged, supported and encouraged to reach their highest potential, in an environment where student success is celebrated
• Each student participates in learning experiences which reflect and respond to their learning styles and needs
• Each student develops skills and understandings in all required curriculum areas to the best of their ability
• Teachers provide a range of strategies which are motivating, challenging and enriching, which support individual success
• Each student's work is assessed and reported against explicit criteria using the SACSA and SACE Frameworks
• Each student develops explicit, independent and collaborative work skills.
• Each student has the opportunity to make choices about his or her own learning and class and school operations
• There is a Student Representative Council responsible for student voice
• There is a committed and informed Governing Council
• There are clear expectations, addressing responsible and irresponsible behaviour within the guidelines of the school's Student Behaviour Code