Northern Adelaide Senior College Celebrates a Decade of Education in the North
31 January 2025

Northern Adelaide Senior College (NASC) marked a significant milestone this week, celebrating its 10-year anniversary with a vibrant community event that highlighted its rich history, educational achievements, and transformative impact on the northern suburbs.

The event, held on Thursday 30th January, drew a large crowd of current students, alumni, staff, community leaders, and local residents.

The celebration featured inspiring speeches from the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, The Hon. Blair Boyer MP, and distinguished Elizabeth West alumna and former Lieutenant Governor of South Australia, Brenda Wilson.
Highlights included the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, dynamic performances by alumni and teachers, a variety of food trucks, community stalls, and Area of Study displays, all contributing to a vibrant atmosphere that showcased NASC’s strong community spirit.

In his keynote address, Hon. Minister Blair Boyer, reflected on NASC’s evolution and its role in shaping education in the region.

“NASC is more than just a school—it’s a lifeline for students from all walks of life,” he said. “Over the past decade, NASC has seen many walk through their doors, each with their own story and determination to succeed. Today, we honour not just their history, but the future we’re building together.”

NASC’s journey began long before its 2015 transformation to Elizabeth. Originally opened as Elizabeth West High School on 6 February 1967, the school was built to alleviate overcrowding at nearby Elizabeth High School, enrolling 560 students in its first year. After facing declining enrolments and a devastating fire, the site was redeveloped as the Re-entry Community Education Centre, “Kabbali” in 1987, officially opened by then Minister for Education, Greg Crafter.

By 1989, it had evolved into Para West Adult Campus, becoming South Australia’s first adult re-entry institution. Its most recent transformation occurred in 2015, when it became NASC, co-located with Elizabeth TAFE and integrated into the City of Playford’s youth and education precinct.

NASC has distinguished itself as South Australia’s oldest senior school for re-entry students, supporting a diverse student body with tailored learning approaches. In 2024 alone, NASC celebrated 82 SACE completions. Among the 36 students who received an ATAR, 15 achieved scores above 90, with 5 students achieving an ATAR over 99.

NASC has also achieved above-average results in Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools programs, with 61 students completing VET qualifications alongside their SACE for 2024.

The school’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its support for:

  • Young parents, with an on-site crèche supporting 58 children in 2024 and 11 of those parents graduating, including 7 young mothers.
  • Students with complex needs, from learning difficulties and intergenerational challenges to English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) learners.
  • Adult learners and Year 13 students returning to improve their ATARs or pursue specific university pathways, including pre-medicine programs.

In 2024, NASC was also selected as a Tailored Learning ‘sample school,’ developing an innovative regulation model focused on sensory regulation, social-emotional literacy, and cognitive development, with a $48 million expansion planned for 2025. Its strong partnerships with TAFE SA, the City of Playford, NGOs, and the University of South Australia, along with the upcoming Suburban Study Hub, will further enhance educational opportunities for Northern Suburbs students.

If you, or someone you know, would like to complete their senior secondary education at Northern Adelaide Senior College, please give the College a call on (08) 7285 1600 to book a Principal Tour or complete NASC’s EOI Enrolment form to register your interest.