Schools of the Air 

When studying through one of the five Schools of the Air, children in Western Australia access the same learning opportunities and follow the same WA curriculum as those attending mainstream school.

The WA Schools of the Air (SOTA) deliver a comprehensive education to families with children living in geographical isolation and children of families travelling in Australia or Australian waters. Each of the 5 schools services large areas of Western Australia. Our teachers understand the unique challenges students face living remotely and are skilled in providing tailored learning programs to cater for individual learning needs.

Schools of the Air campuses are located at Carnarvon, Kalgoorlie, Derby, Meekatharra and Port Hedland.

Carnarvon SOTA 

Reaching Out Since 1968

CSOTA is based in Carnarvon, teaching students from Kindy – Year 6 across the Midwest Education Region.

‘Carnarvon School of the Air seeks to empower students to develop independence and resilience in a diverse learning environment. Through an inclusive and collaborative approach to educational growth, we facilitate a culture of high expectations while creating contemporary opportunities for students to become life-long learners’.

Website: https://carnarvonsota.wa.edu.au/

Principal: Lisa Coon

Phone: 08 9947 2600

Email: Carnarvon.SOTA@education.wa.edu.au

Postal Address: PMB 100, Carnarvon WA 6701

Kalgoorlie SOTA

Seek the best

KalSOTA is based in Kalgoorlie, teaching students from Kindy – Year 6 across the Goldfields Education Region.

‘Together, over distance, we aim to provide a unique and innovative learning environment that builds kind, inquisitive and inspired students.’

Website: https://kalsota.wa.edu.au/

Principal: Eloise Jansen van Vuuren

Phone: 08 9092 4000

Email: kalgoorlie.sota@education.wa.edu.au

Postal Address: Locked Bag 15, Kalgoorlie WA 6433

Kimberley SOTA 

Together in Isolation

KSOTA is based in Derby, teaching students from Kindy – Year6 across the Kimberley Education Region.

‘Being together in isolation requires us, as a school community, to build relationships and work together with Respect, Resilience and Integrity. Our school understands the commitment and persistence of our geographically isolated communities, and values each of these unique stories.’

Website: https://www.ksota.wa.edu.au/

Principal:  Esther Kerr

Phone:  08 9193 3070

Email: kimberley.sota@education.wa.edu.au  

Postal  Address: PMB 988, Derby WA 6728

Port Hedland SOTA

Working Together - Apart

PHSOTA is based in Port Hedland, teaching students from Kindy – Year 6 across the Pilbara Education Region.

‘Port Hedland School of the Air seeks to empower students to develop independence and resilience in a diverse learning environment. Through an inclusive and collaborative approach to educational growth, we facilitate a culture of high expectations while creating contemporary opportunities for students to become life-long learners.’

Website: https://porthedlandsota.wa.edu.au/

Principal:  Brian Abbey

Phone:  08 9172 8100

Email: porthedland.sota@education.wa.edu.au  

Postal  Address: Locked Bag 168, Port Hedland WA 6721

School of Isolated and Distance Education

Recent Student Numbers School Of Isolated And Distance Education

The School of Isolated and Distance Education (known as 'SIDE') is the centre of distance and online learning within the Department of Education, Western Australia. Located in the Perth suburb of Leederville, SIDE provides a quality education for Kindergarten to Year 12 students who for various reasons cannot attend classes in a regular school. 

Student categories include: 

  • full time students unable to attend a local school due to geographical isolation within WA 
  • WA students travelling around Australia or the world with their families on a long term basis 
  • WA students who are temporarily living overseas 
  • WA students whose local high schools do not offer the subjects they wish to study, or where the timetables do not allow them to join particular classes 
  • WA students suffering from long-term illnesses. 
  • WA students involved with elite sporting or artistic programs. 

SIDE is firmly committed to helping students achieve to the best of their abilities in all aspects of school life within the context of distance education. Along with this emphasis on high achievement comes the expectation that all students will undertake further education, training or employment after Year 12. SIDE offers a number of valuable learning programs that cater for all post-school destinations, including university, TAFE, private providers and employment. 

SIDE offers a full K-12 curriculum, with a particularly broad range of Year 11 and 12 courses. This provides all WA students with access to a comprehensive, high quality education. 

Learning at SIDE can take place anytime and anywhere; an internet connection and computer is all that is required. This flexibility ideally suits the differing demands, commitments and circumstances of many of SIDE's students. 

SIDE has become a leader in the use of technology to deliver a high standard education regardless of location. Students can join regular webinars with their teachers and fellow students, access their courses 24/7 or, at times, still use more traditional technologies such as the telephone or printed materials. SIDE has invested in its teachers to ensure they have become highly skilled at designing and delivering engaging online programs. 

A strong pastoral care program ensures that students are well supported, with a student coordinator assigned to support the transition to SIDE and ongoing study with the school.

Website:  https://www.side.wa.edu.au/

Principal: Paul Matthews

Phone: 08 9311 1400

Email: principal.SIDE@education.wa.edu.au

Address: 164-194 Oxford Street, LEEDERVILLE WA 6007

Postal Address: PO Box 455, LEEDERVILLE WA 6903