What John Tonkin College does

John Tonkin College is an Independent Public School under the Western Australian Department of Education, serving students in Years 7 to 12 across two campuses in the Peel region of Western Australia: the Tindale Campus in Mandurah (Years 7–9) and the MET Campus in Greenfields (Years 10–12). The MET Campus is co-located on the Peel Education Campus with South Metropolitan TAFE and Murdoch University, and a third site — the Marine Centre at Dawesville — supports water-based and marine science training. The school was formed in January 2012 from the merger of Mandurah High School and Mandurah Senior College and is named after former WA Premier the Honourable John Tonkin AC.

The school's product platform comprises standard WACE, ATAR and VET academic pathways, plus a portfolio of specialist programs: the Department of Education Approved Specialist Surf Science Program (its flagship), the University Preparation Program (UP), AVID (whole-school WICOR framework), Follow the Dream (Aboriginal student support), University Partnerships with Curtin (Ahead) and UWA (Aspire), Aboriginal Education, and Learning Support. Underlying technology is conventional educational IT — Compass LMS, the WA Department of Education's Connect portal, ClickView video, Wheelers ebook lending, Spriggy Schools for canteen ordering, and a shared MET Campus library with South Metropolitan TAFE.

As a public school, John Tonkin College does not operate a commercial revenue model. Its funding flows from state government per-student grants, supplemented by modest compulsory course charges and additional cost schedules (kept low per departmental policy, with a $5 SmartRider replacement fee). Go-to-market is enrolment-based: families apply directly through downloadable forms (2026 and 2027 intake already published), the Surf Science program is selected by application and interview, and the school supplements this with website, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube channels plus community and conference presence.

Name

John Tonkin College

Legal name

John Tonkin College

Website

https://johntonkincollege.wa.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

John Tonkin College is an Independent Public School in Mandurah, Western Australia, delivering Years 7–12 secondary education across two campuses with a Department of Education Approved Specialist Surf Science Program, university partnerships and shared vocational facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mandurah

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

John Tonkin College is an Independent Public School delivering Years 7-12 secondary education across two campuses in Mandurah, Western Australia — Tindale Campus (Years 7-9) and MET Campus (Years 10-12, co-located with South Metropolitan TAFE and Murdoch University). The college sells curriculum delivery plus a portfolio of specialist programs led by the Department of Education Approved Specialist Surf Science Program (marine and outdoor education), alongside University Preparation (UP), AVID, Follow the Dream, Aboriginal Education, Learning Support, and University Partnerships (Curtin Ahead, UWA Aspire). Senior school pathways include WACE, ATAR, VET qualifications, school-based traineeships and workplace learning.

Product overview

John Tonkin College is an independent public secondary school (Years 7-12) in Mandurah, Western Australia, offering a comprehensive educational program across two campuses (Tindale for Years 7-9 and MET for Years 10-12). The college operates a platform of specialist programs and learning areas, with Surf Science as its flagship Department of Education-approved specialist program. Core academic offerings span English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Social Sciences, Technologies, The Arts, and PE/Health, complemented by specialist support programs including the University Preparation Program (UP), AVID, Follow the Dream, University Partnerships, Aboriginal Education, and Learning Support. The college also provides vocational pathways through Career and Vocational Education with VET qualifications, school-based traineeships, and workplace learning programs. Facilities include a purpose-built Marine Centre in Dawesville supporting the Surf Science program's marine and outdoor education focus.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Surf Science Program Flagship Department of Education Approved specialist program for Years 7-9, integrating English, Mathematics, Science, Society and Environment, Physical Education and Outdoor Education through marine and outdoor education, including swimming, sailing, snorkelling, kayaking, surfing and marine science projects; students can earn qualifications such as Bronze Medallion, First Aid and recreational Skipper's ticket.
• University Preparation Program (UP) Year 10 acceleration program for high-achieving students to extend and accelerate learning in core subjects, preparing them for the ATAR pathway in senior school.
• AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Whole-school approach to teaching focusing on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organisation and reading (WICOR) skills for student success at school and beyond, used across Years 7-12.
• Follow the Dream Program Support program for Aboriginal students selected based on academic results and attendance; provides one-on-one tuition, mentoring, emotional wellbeing support, after-school tuition, inspirational excursions and camps, and personalised pathway planning.
• University Partnerships (Curtin Ahead / UWA Aspire) Partnership programs with Curtin University (Ahead) and UWA (Aspire) offering on-campus experiences, hands-on school-based workshops, student mentoring, annual camps, UWA Science Experience Days, Aspire Camp, and scholarships to reward academic achievement.
• Aboriginal Education Program Support program managed by the Aboriginal Education Team (including AIEOs), facilitating transitions, academic support, mentoring, and cultural programs including the Deadly Sista Girlz program delivered with the Waalitj Foundation.
• Learning Support Program Differentiated teaching and learning programs for students across Years 7-12 with diagnosed disabilities and learning difficulties, including Individual Education Plans, targeted literacy and numeracy support, NAPLAN/OLNA preparation, and integration into mainstream classes with Education Assistant support.
• Senior School WACE Pathway WACE (Western Australian Certificate of Education) pathway program for Years 10-12 equipping students with knowledge and skills for further education, training or the workplace, delivered at the MET Campus.
• Career and Vocational Education (VET) Career development, vocational education and training programs including school-based traineeships, workplace learning, and VET qualifications delivered in partnership with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), counting towards WACE.
• Science and Marine Studies Science curriculum featuring hands-on skills in fish breeding, aquaculture management and sustainability, delivered through an on-site aquaculture centre and partnerships with Murdoch University and Peel Harvey Catchment Council.
• Digital Technologies Compulsory digital literacy for Years 7-8, progressing to design thinking, computing knowledge and innovative digital solutions development in upper school.
• Marine Centre (Dawesville) Purpose-built training facility in Dawesville on the Peel-Harvey inlet, with classroom, boat storage, fleet of pacers, tinnies and a centre console boat, supporting sailing, power-boating, snorkelling, SUP boarding and radio operations training, and enabling recreational Skipper's ticket qualifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Surf Science students obtain qualifications including Bronze Medallion, First Aid and Skipper's ticket through the program
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• South Metropolitan TAFEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMET Campus is co-located with South Metropolitan TAFE on the Peel Education Campus. The shared campus provides college students with access to a range of modern facilities and learning opportunities. The MET Campus library is a shared facility between John Tonkin College and South Metropolitan TAFE. Toni Khaming from South Metropolitan TAFE serves on the JTC College Board.
• Murdoch UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMurdoch University is co-located with John Tonkin College MET Campus on the Peel Education Campus. The university partnership provides JTC students with access to on-campus university experiences, workshops, and student mentoring programs. Murdoch University supports Science programs including the Dolphin Research Project.
• Curtin UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJTC has a strong partnership with Curtin University through the 'Ahead' university partnership program. Students across Years 7-12 engage in fun, hands-on learning activities with on-campus experiences, school-based workshops, and student mentoring programmes. Curtin University also offers annual camps for JTC students and supports Science programs.
• University of Western Australia (UWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJTC has a strong partnership with UWA through the 'Aspire' university partnership program. Students are encouraged to identify interests and aspirations, and plan career pathways. Scholarships are available to reward academic achievement. JTC students attend UWA Science Experience Days and UWA Aspire Camp. UWA supports Science programs.
• Waalitj Foundation (Deadly Sista Girlz)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Waalitj Foundation's Deadly Sista Girlz program is delivered at JTC by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in Years 7-12. The program aims to empower girls to make informed decisions about personal health and wellbeing, and create brighter futures for themselves, their families and generations to come.
• Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA)secondaryTechnology or IntegrationDBCA supports the Surf Science program through the Nearer to Nature Program. DBCA personnel including Dr Peter Novak have led hands-on marine investigations with JTC students examining plastics from local estuarine environments. Supports World Oceans Day activities.
• Tangaroa BluesecondaryTechnology or IntegrationTangaroa Blue supports the Surf Science program through the Marine Debris Initiative. Students are actively involved in marine debris monitoring and community action. JTC students connect with Tangaroa Blue during World Oceans Day celebrations.
• Estuary GuardianssecondaryTechnology or IntegrationEstuary Guardians is a community organisation formed by students at JTC to facilitate improved knowledge of the local marine environment. They are a leading organisation in the Peel community providing education about local dolphins, including fin guide programs and dolphin forums.
• Peel Harvey Catchment CouncilsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationSupports Surf Science program and marine education. Partners in the Citizen Science Project – Saving Shorebirds. Students are involved in shorebird and Black Bream monitoring programs.
• City of MandurahsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationCity of Mandurah supports the Surf Science program and student community engagement activities. Partners on environmental education initiatives and youth services lunchtime activities.
• Murdoch University Dolphin Research ProjectsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationJTC students participate in the Murdoch University Dolphin Research Project as part of the school's marine science and environmental education programs, contributing to real scientific research.
• AVID AustraliasecondaryTechnology or IntegrationAVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a whole school approach to teaching and learning used at JTC across Years 7-12. The school shares common goals with AVID schools across Australia, focused on building student aspiration and teaching core skills of writing, inquiry, collaboration, organisation and reading.

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Ocean Reef Senior High School: Coastal WA public secondary school with a marine and specialist program focus, including a long-running Marine Studies offering and ocean-environment curriculum. Comparable as a WA public secondary school using marine education as a specialist differentiator.
• Warnbro Community High School: Nearby South Metropolitan district public secondary school serving a comparable catchment. Directly comparable in year levels, governance structure, and curriculum delivery model.
• Rockingham Senior High School: Coastal WA public secondary school in the South Metropolitan region. Comparable in year levels, government school status, and access to marine/coastal learning environments in the same broader corridor.
• Comet Bay College: Public secondary school in Secret Harbour, south of Mandurah along the same coastal corridor. Comparable peer for coastal Peel-region secondary education under WA Department of Education governance.
• Safety Bay Senior High School: Public secondary school (Years 7-12) in Warnbro, just south of Mandurah in the same Peel/South Metropolitan corridor. Closest direct peer in geography, year levels, and WA Department of Education governance model.
• Halls Head College: Local public secondary school (Years 7-12) in the Mandurah area that competes directly with JTC for Peel-region enrolments and offers senior secondary pathways, making it the nearest geographic competitor.

Broad incumbents

• WA Department of Education: Central governing and funding authority for all WA public schools including John Tonkin College. Sets specialist program approvals, curriculum frameworks, and operating policies that materially shape JTC's offering.
• Murdoch University: Public university co-located with JTC's MET Campus. Comparable as a higher-education pathway partner delivering the Dolphin Research Project, on-campus experiences, and mentoring to JTC students.

Emerging players

• South Metropolitan TAFE: Vocational education provider co-located with JTC on the Peel Education Campus. Directly comparable as a tertiary pathway partner delivering VET qualifications to JTC students and a Board member.

Regional players

• Pinjarra Senior High School: Public secondary school in the Peel region south of Mandurah. Comparable as a regional WA secondary school serving a similar demographic and operating under the same Department of Education policies, though with a more inland orientation.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCYdqySrh1GHpjueTHUrRVrw
• Facebookfacebook.com/johntonkincollege
• Instagraminstagram.com/johntonkincollege
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/john-tonkin-college

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about John Tonkin College