Following the signing of a partnership agreement, Hillside Collegiate IS becomes the first school in the Republic of Korea to be accredited to deliver an Australian Secondary Certificate of Education through the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) qualification

Hillside Collegiate will join an ever-growing number of schools across China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vanuatu and New Caledonia offering the internationally recognised SACE qualification.

Established in 2016 and located in Jisepo on the picturesque Geoje Island, Hillside Collegiate IS has chosen the SACE qualification for its new Senior Secondary Campus.

SACE Board’s Interim Chief Executive Michaela Bensley is thrilled to welcome the first Korean school into SACE International’s global community.

“Our SACE qualification is transforming education around the world, so we are excited to be expanding into South Korea for the first time,” said Ms Bensley.

“The SACE supports students to develop important lifelong skills and capabilities, preparing them for success in today’s dynamic world. Our SACE qualification is designed to unlock every student’s potential, supporting them to develop their thinking, to use their judgement, and expand their knowledge so they can thrive in the future.”

Hillside Collegiate CEO and owner Hye Ran Park is confident that the SACE qualification will support students to develop innovative thinking, so they embody the school values to become ethical young people with an entrepreneurial spirit.

“With the Australian curriculum being provided through SACE, Hillside Collegiate IS will change the culture of education in South Korea. Students will learn transferable skills through an optimised education tailored to each student’s individual learning needs,” said Ms Park.

As an educator with direct experience of the SACE, Korean born Australian, Principal Kim Peters has a deep understanding of the benefits provided by the qualification.

“The SACE curriculum is a world leader in helping young people define and shape their full potential during their years of education and beyond. As someone who has taught the SACE curriculum, I believe SACE offers learning experiences that help young people find the skills and confidence to make a difference locally, nationally and globally,” said Principal Peters.

Alongside of the announcement of the new secondary school campus, the school released details of two new scholarships today. The Student Academic Ambassador Scholarship and the Young Women in Leadership Scholarship will be offered annually and are designed to support and nurture leadership and academic potential.

Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission Julie Quinn said this new partnership was an excellent example of cooperation in the education sector, which continues to grow between Australia and Korea.

“Australia remains an ideal destination for Korean students seeking degree qualifications from an English speaking country. Australian universities are world-class, and Australian borders are open and welcoming international students. This partnership is an exciting development as it will facilitate an international learning environment for students in Korea with a global perspective,” Ms Quinn said.

Education Manager of the Australian Trade and Investment Commission Emily Chung said it is a great milestone for Australian education in Korea.

“While Australia is the second most preferred study destination amongst English speaking countries for Korean students, there has been no chance to experience Australian education at home in the school sector. With this partnership, I expect more Korean students and parents will choose Australia as their further study destination as they are able to experience excellent Australian education in their early ages,” Ms Chung said.
Upon completion of the SACE, students receive an Australian Tertiary Admissions Ranking (ATAR), which opens the door to highly competitive programs at top universities.

SACE graduates gain an international passport that opens doors to top universities in Australia, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore. SACE International has also developed beneficial partnerships with the University of Adelaide and Flinders University, who provide exclusive scholarships for SACE International graduates.

SACE students in Korea will share a similar experience as students studying in South Australia, with access to the same assessments and examinations from a selection of the 100 SACE subjects of offer. The

SACE program has proven to be COVID resilient, which has confirmed to be an important benefit to school communities and students all over the world. Coursework, projects and collaborative activities make up 70 percent of the final grade, so results are not determined by a single performance within a final examination. Many major subjects offer online examinations, and the flexibility and blended delivery model allows for smooth transitions without any compromise to the academic integrity of the program.

With the SACE program, teachers and leaders are supported by professional learning opportunities to ensure they deliver the best outcomes for students.

More than 40,000 students have successfully graduated from the SACE International program since its inception in 1982. For more information about SACE International visit https://www.sacei.edu.au/.

ENDS

Media contacts for further information or interviews:

Australia

Lucy Markey, Team Leader Strategic Communications and Digital, SACE Board of SA

Phone: +61 8 8115 4751

Mobile: +61 448 671 050

Email: lucy.markey@sa.gov.au

Republic of Korea

Dr Ollie Peters, Director of Student Services, Hillside Collegiate International School

Phone: 055 682 5500

Email: ollie.peters@hcis.or.kr

Background

Hillside Collegiate International School (HCIS) scholarships

To celebrate the opening of the Secondary School campus two scholarships will be offered to secondary students.

• HCIS Student Academic Ambassador Scholarship
• HCIS Young Women in Leadership Scholarship

Recipients of these scholarships will develop their skills and abilities, while exploring ways to support and nurture others who also show outstanding personal and academic potential.