About Sowilo
Sowilo provides the opportunity for the re-engagement of young people into life-long learning via an alternative, flexible and individualised process. We aim to prepare them for their life journey, empowering them to become creative, responsible adults who can make a positive contribution to their community.
Vision
Provide the benchmark for best practice as an agent of change in the lives of young people, their families and communities.
Mission
To re-engage young people into life-long learning through an alternative, flexible and individualised program preparing them to become creative, responsible adults making positive contributions to their communities.
Values
Diversity, individuality, flexibility, life-long learning, innovation, resilience, autonomy.
How We Started
Sowilo was established by a group of parents who wanted their teenage children to study in an education system that embodied a holistic approach..
Dr Adrienne Huber a psychologist and educator working with Edith Cowan University at the time was one of these concerned parents. Others who shared the educational philosophy joined this group of committed parents and under the guidance of Dr Huber began facilitating classes.
These initial classes began in term four of the WA school year and were held at the Karrakatta Community Hall with only five students. Six weeks after classes commenced Dr Huber left for Adelaide to take up a university position. While the school operated without registration it was not eligible for any government funding and to keep the school operational the founding parents financed the school.
In keeping with the student centered philosophy of the school, students were asked to name the school and Siobhan Lebel, a keen enthusiast of ancient languages suggested the Nordic word for sun, sowilo could be appropriate.
On investigation it was discovered that the word sowilo in the runic alphabet also means illumination, wisdom and knowledge. The students unanimously voted for Sowilo to be the name of their school.
The Sowilo Journey: A Timeline
Enrolments
Sowilo is aimed at 12 - 20 year olds. If you are interested in an interview for further information or enrolment, please give us a call.
Our enrolment process involves an initial interview with the student and Parent or Carer and a tour of our school, followed by an hour long literacy and numeracy test to establish the current levels for each student.