News

Throughout 2026, students have connected with sporting organisations, community groups, industry and local partners through experiences designed to bring learning to life.

Highlights have included Country Week, a five-week block of Rugby practical sessions with former Wallaby Curtis Rona, and the Connecting Generations program with the West Coast Eagles. Each experience has provided students with another opportunity to learn from people within the industry, build meaningful connections and grow in confidence through authentic experiences.

For Head of Senior School Louise Sandison, these opportunities reflect something much bigger about the Bunbury program: the willingness of the local community to invest in young people.

“One of the things I am most proud of is the strength of the Bunbury regional community and the way it embraces and supports our students at SEDA. We are fortunate to have a community that genuinely invests in young people, with local sporting organisations, clubs, associations and industry partners consistently opening doors and creating opportunities for our students to learn, contribute and grow.”

Louise Sandison, Head of Senior School – Bunbury

That community connection is central to SEDA College WA’s approach. Across the College, partnerships allow students to move beyond traditional classroom learning and take part in experiences that develop leadership, communication, adaptability and a genuine understanding of community contribution.

In Bunbury, those connections extend across sport, community and industry. The College is continuing to strengthen relationships with local organisations and explore opportunities that provide students with broader exposure to future pathways, including potential opportunities in construction and trades through the developing relationship with Skill Hire.

The impact of these connections also reaches beyond students themselves. Through initiatives such as Connecting Generations, families and members of the wider community have been able to participate, connect and share in the experience.

“I really enjoyed being part of the Connecting Generations program. I got a lot out of the experience and enjoyed it even more being able to bring some of my friends along. It was interesting to see how everyone took something different away from the program and what it meant to them. It was a good opportunity to try something different, meet people and share an experience together.”

Patrice Lee, Connecting Generations participant and SEDA parent

For Louise, it is this collective support that makes the regional model so powerful.

“Through the strong relationships we have developed across the South West, our students gain access to sporting experiences, industry connections, mentoring and practical opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom. It is a reflection of what makes a regional community so special: people are willing to give their time, share their expertise and support the next generation.”

Looking ahead to 2027

The strength of the Bunbury community is being matched by continued growth at SEDA College WA.

In 2027, Bunbury is set to grow from three classes to four, creating opportunities for more young people in the South West to experience the SEDA model. The College is also looking forward to the opportunity to move into the new Bunbury Community Courts once construction is completed in 2027.

The next chapter is about more than growing student numbers. It is about continuing to deepen the relationships that make the Bunbury experience unique and creating even more opportunities for students to connect their education with sport, industry and their community.

“I take great pride in the partnerships we have built and the collective impact they have on providing our students with opportunities, experiences and pathways they may not otherwise have had,” Louise said.

With a growing student cohort, expanding community and industry connections, and a new home on the horizon, there is plenty to look forward to for SEDA College WA in Bunbury in 2027.