Bureau of Meteorology USC’s year 11 Environmental Geography students recently visited the Bureau of Meteorology. At the Bureau the students learned about meteorological instruments and the Bureau’s facilities. The students also attended a lecture on climate change. Pictured (L-R) are Jess Dettloff, Jess Dal Molin and Tessa Baron.

About the College

At University Senior College (USC) we are committed to preparing students to bridge the transition between secondary and tertiary study. We aim to promote a cooperative environment that will foster the development of knowledge, skills, attitudes, self-reliance and a sense of self-worth that will enable students to maximize their personal potential. Our students come from very diverse backgrounds with around 80 different private and public schools providing our local intake and an international intake of students from China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan.

How do we work?

The first class for the day begins at 8:10am while the last finishes at 5:00pm and students are only required to be on campus for lessons. During non-programmed lesson time, students are encouraged to take advantage of the many places available for individual study, including the Barr Smith and the State Libraries.

Year 12 students are expected to spend 4 hours per subject in private study each week, while Year 11 students should spend 2 hours 40 minutes per subject each week. Much of this private study can be completed during the school day allowing students to retain their interests in other out-of-school activities. All students should develop and maintain a study schedule that takes into account their other interests and work commitments but which allows them to make the most of the opportunity they have to perform at their very best in class. Students are supported in planning their study schedules by their mentors (a member of the teaching staff whose role is to provide support, advice and guidance to a small group of students as well as being their first point of contact at the College).

Classes are regarded as appointments and as such, students are required to attend all timetabled lessons punctually with the appropriate materials required for lesson. Naturally in an adult learning environment we don’t have bells to announce lesson breaks.

Members of our school community are expected to dress in a neat casual manner.

Students are on first name terms with their teachers, and are offered the opportunity to make one-to-one appointments outside programmed lessons for clarification and support of information covered during their lessons. The development of respect and a positive learning partnership is integral in all that we do.

All our teaching is aimed at providing students with a solid background in their subjects to allow them to be successful in the tertiary course of their choice. Timetables are individualised and students are able to choose subjects which best suit their interests.

College facilities

The main College campus is located in a modern, spacious, 2-storey building in the University of Adelaide precinct. This campus consists of well-equipped classrooms, student study areas, staff and administrative offices and computer suites. USC has a campus in Charles Street, Adelaide which also provides more well-equipped classrooms, computer suites, the Careers centre and the Drama and Art studios. The Jordan Laboratories, situated in the University grounds provide an exciting home for the sciences.

Classes at USC replicate a university style of education with Year 12 students gaining access to the outstanding facilities of the University of Adelaide. These students spend half their contact class time in small tutorial groups averaging about 20 students and in addition, they attend lectures on the main University campus. This model enables them to develop the special skills and concepts necessary to learn successfully in a tertiary environment. Year 11 students attend 2 tutorials per week for each subject. These tutorials are generally located in either the main USC campus on the corner of North Terrace and Pulteney Street, or at the Charles Street campus.

The facilities at the University of Adelaide are of the highest standard. All students have borrowing rights to the Barr Smith Library, one of Australia's great resource centres. They benefit from the opportunities provided by an advanced technological infrastructure as they make use of science laboratories that boast state-of-the-art equipment. The lecture theatres and general ambience are appropriate to a top ranking university. Furthermore, the students have the advantage of being within easy reach of the Art Gallery, the Museum, Parliament House and other wonderful resources of the city centre.

We look forward to sharing this new and exciting educational journey with you.