Victorian Government Schools THE RIGHT SCHOOL IN THE RIGHT PLACE 2004 AGUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS MELBOURNE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA Published by the Department of Education & Training, Victoria, Australia 2004. © State of Victoria, January 2004 ISSN 1445-0852 Design: Nuttshell Graphics International Student Program Unit PO Box 4367 Melbourne Victoria 3001 AUSTRALIA The Department of Education & Training welcomes any use of this publication within the constraints of the Copyright Act 1968. Provided acknowledgement is made to the source, Victorian government and non-government schools are permitted to copy material freely for the purpose of teaching students in schools, or for communication with parents and others in the community. When a charge is authorised for supplying material, such charge shall be limited to direct costs only. When the material is sold for profit, then written authority must first be obtained. Address inquiries to: The Manager International Division GPO Box 4367 Melbourne Victoria 3001 AUSTRALIA Victorian Government Schools THE RIGHT SCHOOL IN THE RIGHT PLACE 2004 AGUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS MELBOURNE VICTORIA AUSTRALIA 1 Introduction Choosing the right school is one of the most Selecting the right school schools that teach them. important decisions that children and their parents There are three issues to Once you have selected which ever have to make. This guide is designed to help consider in deciding if a school subjects you want to study, you choose the right school in the right place. is the right one for you: it is easy to draw up a list of All Victorian government schools offer high quality schools that offer them. • its location in Melbourne education that is recognised throughout the world. or country Victoria Each school provides a healthy balance between Special facilities and programs academic, creative, physical and vocational • the academic subjects You can use this guide to find requirements. it offers students • the special facilities and out more about the schools on More than 200 of our secondary schools are programs it provides. your list. Check the contents currently enrolling overseas students. Parents and You can use this guide to page to see where to turn for students can use this guide to select the school that work through the issues. information on each school’s matches their individual requirements. Each school facilities, the languages it has its own section in the guide, so you can decide Location teaches and the special which school best meets your interests and career programs it offers. objectives. There is also general information on Many overseas students Victoria’s education system and the broad curriculum have friends or family living in offered. Victoria and choose a school Course information located close to them. Because Not every school with places for overseas students Victorian government schools so many schools are available, is profiled here. If you would like information on offer a wide choice of subjects such students may still have other schools or have any questions, please contact to suit every student’s learning a number to choose from. the International Student Program Unit, Department needs and abilities. The of Education & Training, Victoria, Australia. You will You can use the map on pages curriculum is designed to find contact details on the back cover. 114 and 115 to check where ensure students have access each school is located. to a wide range of education Victoria’s public transport and employment opportunities. systems and roads make Each school provides students travel easy for most students. with a breadth of knowledge, If you do have family or friends skills and values in the in Victoria, we suggest you talk following eight key learning to them about which schools areas: are conveniently located to •The Arts them. • English • Health and Physical Academic subjects Education The wide range of subjects • Mathematics available in Victorian • Sciences government schools allows •Technology students to tailor their • Studies of Society and education to their interests and Environment – geography, the careers they plan to follow. history, commerce • Languages other than On the following pages, you English (LOTE). will find a general introduction to what is available at Victorian A general curriculum is offered government schools. On pages to students in Years 7 – 10 108 to 113 there is a complete with studies covering each list of subjects and programs of the key learning areas. and a table showing the 2 Students generally undertake a These units must include: Vocational Education and metropolitan area and regional Training (VET) in Schools Victoria. Overseas students are total of ten subjects each term. • three units of English or not required to pay additional The school year is divided into English as a Second Vocational Education and tuition fees for enrolment at the four terms, two per semester. Language (ESL) Training (VET) in Schools is a Victorian School of Languages, Years 11 and 12 form the • three sequences of units 3 cooperative program offered to if their host school does not Victorian Certificate of and 4 subjects other than students studying for their VCE. teach the language they want. Education (VCE) in which English or ESL It allows them to combine students specialise and select • two units from Humanities, general VCE studies with subject streams that reflect the Arts, Health and additional TAFE studies and Applications for entry to the Victorian Government their future career plans. Physical Education and workplace experience. school system Students usually undertake Studies of Society and Successful students qualify Students interested in studying six subjects each semester in Environment with both the VCE and a TAFE at a Victorian government Year 11 and five subjects each • two units from Mathematics, certificate. A TAFE certificate school must complete the semester in Year 12. Science and Technology. is an industry-recognised Department of Education & Turn to pages 108 - 111 qualification that broadens Victorian Certificate of Training (DE&T) application for a comprehensive list of future employment prospects Education (VCE) form. all subjects offered within and creates greater Completed application forms, The VCE is the basis for entry the VCE. opportunities in tertiary studies. together with the required into universities and Training Programs are undertaken over documentation, should be and Further Education (TAFE) English as a two years, commencing in Year Second Language (ESL) sent to: institutions. The VCE is 11. Some schools also provide International Student normally taken over two years. Students who come from bridging courses for design Program Unit Students can choose from language backgrounds other students who need to further International Division more than forty studies or than English are provided with develop their skills and build Department of Education subjects, including several language support. Specially up a portfolio of pieces to gain & Training languages available within the trained English as a Second entry to tertiary design courses. Language (ESL) teachers GPO Box 4367 study of Languages other than Turn to page 112 for a list conduct small ESL classes Melbourne Victoria 3001 English (LOTE). Students are of VET programs offered at to support individual students Australia also able to choose from more schools featured in this guide. than twenty Vocational with their daily lessons. For further information: Education and Training (VET) Classes are also available Victorian School of before students begin Email programs. Languages (VSL) lessons at their host school. overseas.students@edumail. Students may select different In Victoria, students can learn All overseas students can vic.gov.au subjects to make up their own a Language Other Than English complete a twenty-week individual programs. Each as part of their school Telephone +61 3 9651 3700 intensive English language subject generally consists of curriculum. If the school they Facsimile +61 3 9651 3981 course before enrolment at four units, with each unit attend does not teach the Internet www.study.vic.gov.au their intended host school. lasting for one semester language they want, the Alternatively, for more This program provides students (two terms). Students student can attend classes at information on application with an ideal opportunity to undertake between sixteen the Victorian School of procedures, contact one of our adjust to their new study and twenty-four units over the Languages. It provides classes local representatives or agents environment. It provides them two years and must pass a in forty-one different languages within your home country. with the basic English skills minimum of sixteen units. for primary and secondary required to meet the students. Classes are usually challenges and demands of held on Saturday mornings in studying in Melbourne or approximately thirty centres country Victoria. throughout the Melbourne 3 Assessment and Reporting University TAFE Progression from one year to the next is based on the teacher’s evaluation of the individual student’s performance and ability. Each year schools provide parents or guardians with at least two written reports on student achievement. Schools also give parents or guardians the opportunity to attend at least one formal Senior Secondary (VCE Years 11 – 12) interview focusing on their child’s progress each year and provide other opportunities for informal discussions