Wesley College
Welcome to Wesley College
Founded in 1923, Wesley College South Perth is non-selective and egalitarian, welcoming students from all backgrounds – bound together by a shared desire to achieve personal excellence. Today the College has approximately 1,400 students from a broad range of metropolitan, rural and international backgrounds, including 150 boarding students.
At Wesley, we focus on a holistic education that emphasises the development of the well-balanced man or woman who is empowered, and wants to go out into the world and make a positive difference.
Our motto, Audendo Atque Agendo (by daring and by doing), represents the Wesley ethos. Whether it’s academic achievement, sporting achievement or public service, our students dare to think on a grand scale and believe in action.
The College has three sub-schools and each sub-school has a slightly different focus according to the age and individual development of the students.
Junior School (Pre-kindergarten to Year 4)
Pre-kindergarten to Year 4 | Co-educational
A strong sense of belonging permeates from the moment you step into Wesley’s Junior School. Students here thrive in a busy, enthusiastic learning environment, full of energy and a desire to learn and experience all that Wesley can offer.
The Junior School embraces the philosophy that co-education is important in the foundation years. Boys and girls learn from each other and establish important social and emotional building blocks when in a co-educational setting.
The Junior years are imperative to ensure children have the building blocks for success. Our teachers are chosen for their nurturing, caring qualities and ability to support each child in all their needs. Children’s social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs are all equally important and develop at differing rates as all children are on a unique journey. Our educators are experts at supporting each child by identifying and working with them and their families to help them to achieve their potential and flourish in a happy, inspiring environment.
A strong foundation of explicit literacy and numeracy teaching is balanced with an Inquiry program that promotes critical and creative thinking, questioning, problem-solving and independent learning. Students are challenged, creativity is harnessed and critical thinking is developed to positively support and build the children’s learning in a fun, happy and nurturing environment.
Middle School (Year 5 to Year 8)
Years 5 to 8 | Co-educational Years 5 and 6 | Boys only Years 7 to 8
The middle years of schooling are a vitally important time for each child, and for each parent, as their child grows into adolescence. At Wesley’s unique Middle School, we understand. We provide an environment of support and challenge that nurtures our students and facilitates their emerging independence. Rather than an abrupt jump between primary and secondary schooling, our Middle School acts as a bridge that provides a smooth transition to Senior School.
To support the rapid physical and cognitive development that occurs as students mature between Year 5 and Year 8, our Middle School prioritises relationships. By developing strong relationships with each child — through more attention from fewer teachers — we provide learning environments and opportunities that meet the specific needs of each child. Our community extends beyond the teacher and the student to the family.
As well as a focus on academic success for each child, we provide a wealth of cross-curricular, extra-curricular, and multidisciplinary opportunities — both in classrooms and across our community. Our flagship Katitjin program is one example of the ways in which we help students develop self-awareness, attention to social justice and leadership capabilities.
Wesley’s Middle School students are part of a large Pre-kindergarten to Year 12 day and boarding school community with a rich heritage. However, within this broader community, the Middle School provides an intimate environment of care, appropriate to this age and development stage. Middle schooling at Wesley allows each student to live our College vision and motto: to lead purposeful lives by daring, and by doing.
Senior School (Year 9 to Year 12)
Years 9 to 12 | Boys only
The culture of Senior School is designed to empower young men to take greater ownership of their choices, particularly with respect to their learning (with appropriate guidance and mentoring). Students are taught by experienced specialist teachers in all subjects.
Our Year 12 results consistently demonstrate a strong academic culture and a drive for every student to reach his own personal level of excellence. In recent years, Wesley graduates have been awarded the Beazley Medal (dux of the state) and a Rhodes Scholarship entry to WAAPA, AFL drafts, along with countless other achievements.
Over 85% of students tend to follow a tertiary pathway, however, there are also a variety of vocational education and training opportunities for those who choose a more ‘hands-on’ experience.
The Pastoral Care structure during the senior years is designed to ensure every boy can develop a close bond with a consistent adult presence at Wesley, known as their ‘mentor’. There are usually 12 students in each mentor group, the aim being to ensure a 1/12 teacher-student ratio. A student is allocated their mentor group in Year 9, and remains with that same mentor right through to Year 12.
Mentors have responsibility for the overall well-being of students in their mentor group. Social and Emotional curriculum is taught as part of the mentor program and includes programs such as Keys for Life (safe driving skills).
From Year 9 onward the boys are expected to become more independent and accept greater responsibility for their studies, sporting commitments and co-curricular activities.
Nurturing Boarding Environment
At Wesley, we offer our boarders a vibrant and nurturing environment. We strive to create a family-style community that encourages each boy’s growth – supporting them as they become happy, responsible individuals. Our approach is one of the many reasons why Wesley College was named as Boarding School of the Year in the Australian Education Awards 2019.
Wesley College Boarding House is situated in the foreshore suburb of South Perth, on the College’s campus. Housing up to 160 boys from Years 7 – 12, the boys are looked after by a dedicated group of staff who are also residents of the school, creating their own tight-knit boarding community within the school community.
Living in a boarding environment extends the opportunities for boys in many regards. We view boarding as an advantage, as there are greater opportunities in many different facets. These include the increased exposure to leadership opportunities, the academic benefits from working collaboratively with their peers, and greater access to teaching staff. Living in a diverse residential capacity, boys develop greater respect and acceptance for others.
Rich Extra Curricular Program
Co-curricular opportunities offered at Wesley College are an important part of being involved in the life of the College.
The Co-curricular program complements the academic program, providing opportunities for students to pursue an area of passion, skill development, creative expression, teamwork and cooperation. There are dozens of activities and clubs from which to choose.
The Arts program encompasses media, drama, visual arts, photography, speech & drama, music and dance. Each of these areas is offered as curricular and co-curricular subjects, with students able to carve a pathway to future success through the myriad of possibilities on offer.
We have a strong sporting tradition and Wesley athletes have excelled in national and international sporting arenas. Participation in sport provides life skills well beyond the focus of sport itself. These values are also enhanced through involvement in inter-House sporting events.