Hedland Senior High School is now in its second year running the Big Picture Learning (BPL) program, though BPL has been active in Australia since its launch in 2006 and is now operating in more than 45 schools nationwide. We currently have students enrolled in Years 8, 9 and 10, and next year we are excited to introduce the International Big Picture Learning Credential (IBPL).

At Hedland, our program operates through advisory groups in Years 8 and 9, and we are looking forward to expanding it further in the years ahead.

Our guiding philosophy is “one student at a time in a community of learners.” That means each student is placed at the heart of their own learning journey. Rather than following a one size fits all timetable, students explore what excites them, and we build their learning around those passions. Through real world projects, community mentors, and both in and out of school experiences, we make education deeply relevant and highly personalised.

Students blend their academic studies with real world internships. They explore, connect with mentors, and chart their own pathways, whether that leads to university, vocational training or other opportunities. This approach helps students prepare for life after school by focusing on meaningful portfolios and personal achievements that highlight who they are and what they can do.

The International Big Picture Learning Credential (IBPLC)

From 2026, Hedland Senior High School will offer the IBPLC to senior students. The IBPLC is an internationally recognised qualification that captures a student’s learning and growth through a personalised portfolio rather than through standardised exams. It is designed for students who want their strengths, passions and real-world achievements to be the evidence of their readiness for further study, training or employment. The IBPLC provides a genuine pathway to university, TAFE and other post-school opportunities, opening doors for students to pursue their goals in ways that reflect their unique abilities.

Interested in joining the program? 

For more information, please contact Hedland Senior High School’s Teacher in Charge, Haley Carine on (08) 9158 1900 or via email at haley.carine@education.wa.edu.au

BPL Application Form