News & Updates

Continuing our tradition of distinction in teaching and learning, two SIDE teachers have received awards for professional excellence.

Wan-Yi Sweeting was SIDE's Academic Dux for 2012. She wrote this letter just after graduating.

My Story

I am really honoured to have been selected as the winner of the 2012 Dux award. I couldn’t have managed without the wonderful support of my teachers and supervisors.

By any measure, Wan-Yi Sweeting is an extraordinary young woman. She came to Australia aged 11, to board at a large Perth girls' school. At 13, she was selected for the WA Tennis Academy, which meant a hectic international touring schedule, and she chose to continue her schooling with SIDE.

As part of SIDE's regular Authors Online program, Australian Children's Laureate Boori Monty Pryor visited SIDE to work with more than 90 students in Centra, our online web-conferencing application.

Boori is a celebrated author, performer, dancer and poet, and is one of two Australian Children’s Literature Alliance (ACLA) Children's Laureates for 2012-13, appointed to promote the importance of reading.

Studying through distance education proves no barrier to achievement for SIDE students. Four of our studentss have been recognised for their commitment to excellence in two areas of study.

The English Learning Area at SIDE is preparing to deliver twelve new Australian Curriculum online teaching cells in 2013.

Professor Fiona Wood is one of Australia's most celebrated individuals. Reknowned for her work with burns victims, she invented spray-on skin which greatly reduces healing times and scarring from burns injuries. Professor Wood was named Australian of the Year in 2005, and has received numerous awards and honours.

SIDE moves into new Library Resource Centre

Students and staff have moved into the new Library Resource Centre building at SIDE. Provided by the Federal Government as part of the Building Education Revolution program, the library was completed in 2011. The SIDE library staff worked over the summer holidays to move books, DVDs, CDs and magazines into their new home in a purpose built Library Resource Centre in the middle of the SIDE Leederville Campus.

Program promotes tolerance and understanding

SIDE students gained access to widely different life experiences as part of the Authors Online program in 2011. 

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