ABOUT US

Helena College is an independent, non-faith-based, co-educational school catering for students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

The College comprises three schools over two campuses – the Junior School (Kindy to Year 5) at Darlington, and the Middle School (Years 6-10) and Upper School (Years 11-12) at Glen Forrest – all surrounded by natural bushland.

At Helena College, we focus on developing the whole person, equipping each child with the skills and knowledge to fully embrace life beyond school.

We are committed to providing a balanced education. The Western Australian curriculum determines what our students learn. The way our students learn is through an inquiry-based approach that includes explicit teaching of knowledge and skills. Teachers create lessons with a focus on inquiry and choice for students. In Years 11 and 12, students complete the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) through a broad range of ATAR and General Courses, and other specialist programs.

Helena College is a values-based school, rather than faith-based, placing great importance on our role within the local community through service projects as we develop our students into active and responsible global citizens.

Through both the academic and ‘hidden’ curriculum, we aim to foster a sense of purpose and self-knowledge in our students – enabling them to work towards their own success and to work collaboratively with others. We focus on personal and collective wellbeing, nurturing supportive relationships that enrich all members of the College community.

Helena College is committed to providing a child-safe environment through our Child Protection Program and is a certified Safe School. We partner with parents, encouraging open communication and offering families education sessions on relevant topics such as cyber safety, youth mental health and others.

Throughout our history, the College has always focused on student-centred learning and developing the whole child – educators, students and parents bringing out the best together.

MIDDLE YEARS | Our Glen Forrest Campus is situated on more than eight hectares of bushland and our College community moves throughout the campus to the sound of birdsong.
At Glen Forrest, our main intake is Year 6. The Year 6 program is designed to meet their academic, social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs through its whole child, inquiry approach. 
Like all children in WA, our students learn the content of the Western Australian curriculum, through the lens of the Helena College Teaching and Learning Framework. Simply put, the WA curriculum is what they are taught, and our framework is the way they are taught.
The study of additional languages is also part of the curriculum.  From 2024, as students enter Year 6, they will participate in an introductory language immersion program, undertaking one Semester of Indonesian, and one of French, before making a decision to continue with one of these from Year 7 onwards. Students may continue these languages through WACE courses in Years 11-12.
Students at Helena College benefit from smaller class sizes, capped at 25 in Year 6, with access to modern classrooms, including a purpose-built Year 6 area, as well as an industry-standard media centre, state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, Performing Arts Centre, large gymnasium and extensive sports facilities. These facilities allow students to enjoy a wide range of sports, arts and extra-curricular activities and pursuits on campus.
Outdoor education is another important part of the learning program at the College, providing age-appropriate challenges that enhance resilience and personal growth.
Our Camps Program is integrated with core learning experiences and structured so that each experience builds on the personal and academic growth of the previous year. There are also a number of national and overseas opportunities in specific subjects and interests.
The Glen Forrest Campus is a 1:1 laptop school with all students from Years 6-12 requiring their own Apple laptop, administered by the College through a laptop levy program.

THE ENROLMENTS PROCESS

Thank you for considering Helena College for your child. We know choosing the right school is an important decision and milestone for every family.

APPLY ONLINE | Now that you have completed a tour of the College, we invite you to take the next steps, by completing an online registration form.   REGISTRATION FORM HERE

PRE-ENROLMENT MEETINGS | Families are offered pre-enrolment meetings in order of registration date, with siblings of students already enrolled at the College given priority.

We will contact you about the availability of a place and a pre-enrolment interview in the year prior to your child’s proposed commencement. In the case of Year 6, placements are confirmed when students are in Year 4.

If there are no places available in your preferred year of entry, you will remain on our enrolments list, and we will contact you as opportunities arise.

Please consider the pre-enrolment meeting your opportunity to share information with us, and ask questions that are specific to your child. Tours are general in nature, so the pre-enrolment meetings are ideal for focusing on your child and their individual needs.

SPECIAL NOTE: By letting us know if your child has any specific needs, whether it is a diagnosed medical condition, learning challenge, or simply an area of concern, it allows us to discuss with you what appropriate and reasonable support can be offered and provided. This allows you to make an informed decision as to which school, including Helena College, will be the best fit for your child(ren).

OFFER OF A PLACE | Following the meeting, an offer of a place may be made. To confirm enrolment, you will need to complete an Enrolment Agreement and make the required payment.

ACCEPTANCE OF OFFER | Once you have completed the necessary paperwork and payments, your child’s place at the College will be confirmed.

ORIENTATION AND TRANSITION | We understand that moving to a new school can be both exciting and a little daunting. To further assist in the transition to Helena College, Orientation Days and Parent Information Evenings are held for incoming students and their families.

In some instances, trial days may be offered to assist in the transition to the College. These are primarily offered for Senior School students and are arranged on a case-by-case basis.

Should your child commence part-way through the year, or outside of the usual intake points, we will work with you and your child to make the transition as smooth as possible. This may, for example, include ensuring your child has an allocated buddy to help make them welcome and settle into the Helena College routine.

QUESTIONS? | Making the decision to accept an offer for a place at any school is significant, and we know you may have additional questions. Please feel free to contact our Enrolments Officer at any time for a chat, or if wish to update your contact details:

Tel: 9298 9100  |  Email: enrolments@helena.wa.edu.au

We look forward to welcoming you to our College community.

OTHER DOCUMENTS | INFORMATION | VIDEO (please click on links)