As a parent of a Year 12 student I’m extremely grateful for the professionalism and dedication of the teachers at KICE and the hard yards they put in to help students achieve their goals. The facilities are excellent and the school provides a diversity of activities beyond the traditional subjects including music, art and drama. In some ways the remoteness of the island benefits the students, providing an identity which makes them a bit special.
On Kangaroo Island, we embrace education from early childhood right though to vocational courses for adults.
The Island is home to South Australia’s first school, with open air lessons delivered for a penny a day in Kingscote by Captain Bromley, way back in 1836.
From these humble beginnings, Kangaroo Island Community Education’s (KICE) multi-campus school has emerged. The largest site is based in Kingscote with the other campuses at Penneshaw (R-9) and Parndana (P-12). All three campuses are interconnected into one school providing continuity and enabling students to select from a wider pool of subjects. Recent infrastructure upgrades include a new performing arts centre (Kingscote), multi-use recreation centres (Parndana and Penneshaw), vocational learning centre and commercial kitchen (Kingscote) and a food processing centre (Parndana).
Specialist staff and a dedicated team ensure every student is able to reach his or her full potential. The island provides unique opportunities for education and training, as well as KICE’s close association with TAFE that provides Vocational Education and Training (VET) gives students skills and knowledge for work. This also includes access to apprenticeships while remaining within the school system. VET operates through a national training system; and is delivered, assessed and certified by registered training organisations.
Like everything on Kangaroo Island, school is integrated with the community. Businesses and community groups work closely with classes in diverse fields. For example, local businesses, from beekeepers to international hotels offer on-the-job career development through the VET system and the internationally renowned Dolphin Watch program had its roots at the school and maintains a close association.
TAFE offers regular courses designed to meet the needs of industry and students on the Island in many qualifications including barista, forklift operation and technological expertise. Under the Kangaroo Island Transformation Project, bespoke business programs are being delivered in partnership with the Government of South Australia and Kangaroo Island Council, with dozens of businesses and people benefiting.
Those seeking tertiary qualifications and further education on the mainland are supported by various grants and bursaries, including from the Kangaroo Island Country Education Fund – a group motivated to invest in the Island’s young people and link vocational training with Island businesses in our thriving primary production and tourism sectors. Additional support is available through a special workforce development project.
Kangaroo Island is an ideal place to test the potential for research and development with a focus on trade with China and other export partners.
Wherever your journey is leading you in life, we’re sure Kangaroo Island will be the ideal location for a lifetime of learning.