International Students

International Students 2026

Doncaster Secondary College Featured in Study Australia Schools Showcase Digital Campaign

We are delighted to share that Doncaster Secondary College has been selected as one of only two Victorian schools to participate in the prestigious Study Australia Schools Showcase digital campaign, led by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade).

This exciting opportunity highlights our school on a highly respected and official international education platform, allowing prospective students and families around the world to learn more about the outstanding opportunities, learning environment, and global connections available at Doncaster Secondary College.

As part of this campaign, an article featuring our school has been published across major Chinese digital platforms:

The articles have also been shared and promoted through official IEPD channels, further increasing the visibility of Doncaster Secondary College among prospective students and families.

Being the only metropolitan Victorian government school featured in this official China-wide marketing initiative provides our school with valuable international exposure, particularly within one of our key international education markets. This recognition strengthens our school’s profile and showcases the welcoming, inclusive, and high-quality educational experience we provide to international students.

The campaign has already received positive engagement from audiences. According to the campaign organisers, ‘interactive content such as the MBTI x Little Koala activity posts attracted strong participation, with many audience members sharing their experiences and perspectives, creating meaningful conversations and connections’.

We are confident that this increased global exposure will support future growth of our International Student Program and encourage more high-quality applications from students who are seeking a supportive and globally connected learning environment.

The Doncaster Secondary College International Student Program will continue to work closely with the IEPD Marketing Team to explore further opportunities to promote our school and celebrate the achievements and experiences of our school community and international student cohort.

International Student Learning Hub Hosts Successful Orientation Program

The International Student Learning Hub proudly hosted another successful full-day International Student Program (ISP) Orientation in Term 3, 2026, warmly welcoming our newly arrived international students as they begin their educational journey at Doncaster Secondary College.

The program featured a range of informative presentations and interactive activities designed to help students settle into their new school environment, while supporting both their academic success and social wellbeing.

A special thank you goes to our outstanding International Student Leaders and Buddies, who have been paired with our new students to provide ongoing friendship, guidance and support throughout the year. Their enthusiasm and commitment play a vital role in creating a welcoming and inclusive school community.

We also sincerely thank Principal Glenn Morris and Assistant Principal Belinda McGee for taking the time to personally welcome our new students. Their warm words of encouragement helped students feel valued, supported and excited about the opportunities ahead.

The day also marked the launch of our 2026 Buddy Program, bringing together local students and experienced international students to connect with our newest arrivals. It was wonderful to see students from diverse cultural backgrounds building meaningful friendships and fostering a strong sense of belonging from day one.

As our new international students begin this exciting chapter at Doncaster Secondary College, we are confident they will flourish both academically and personally. With the continued support of our dedicated staff, student leaders and buddies, we look forward to celebrating their achievements, growth and contributions to our vibrant and inclusive school community in the years to come.

Reflection from Our International Student Ambassadors

Our International Student Ambassadors played an important role in supporting our newly arrived students during the full-day ISP Orientation Program. Throughout the day, they warmly welcomed our new students, shared their own experiences, and helped them settle into their new school environment. Below is a reflection from our ambassadors.

"Being an International Student Ambassador was a meaningful and rewarding experience for all of us.

During the ISP Orientation Day, we helped our new international students understand their timetables, showed them how to use Compass to check their schedules, attendance and reports, and guided them through the school so they could become familiar with the campus. We also prepared their lockers, demonstrated how to use them, and introduced them to other international students, encouraging them to make new friends and feel included from their very first day.

We chose to become International Student Ambassadors because we wanted to help other students adapt to a new environment. When we first arrived in Australia, we also received support from others, so we understand how challenging it can be to settle into a new country, school, culture and language. We wanted to give back by helping new students feel welcomed, supported and confident as they begin their journey at Doncaster Secondary College.

The part we enjoyed most was getting to know the new students and watching them become more relaxed and confident throughout the day. It was wonderful to answer their questions, help solve any problems they encountered, and see them smiling as they made new friends and became more familiar with the school.

Seeing the new students gradually settle in made us feel proud because we knew we had helped reduce their anxiety and made their first day a positive experience. We hope our support has given them greater confidence as they begin this exciting new chapter of their lives.

Through this experience, we strengthened our communication, leadership and teamwork skills. We also learned the importance of being patient, understanding and supportive when helping others.

Our advice for future International Student Ambassadors is simple: always be friendly, approachable and willing to help. A warm smile, kind words and a helping hand can make a huge difference to a new student's first experience at school."

- Chenxinyi (Celine) ZHAO, Ziyan (Lily) WANG

Shaun’s Buddy Program Experience as newly arrived international student

My name is Shawn, and I am a new international student who recently arrived in Australia to study at Doncaster Secondary College. When I first came here, I felt both excited and nervous. I was worried that my English was not good enough and that I would find it difficult to communicate with others or make new friends. Everything was new to me, including the language, the school environment and Australian culture.

Fortunately, Doncaster Secondary College has a wonderful Buddy Program that made my transition much easier. I was paired with two amazing buddies, Eddie and Hyunseo, who have been incredibly kind, supportive and welcoming.

Eddie is from China and is a very friendly and patient person. Whenever I had difficulty understanding something in class or communicating in English, he was always happy to explain it to me in Chinese. His help gave me much more confidence and made me feel less anxious during my first few weeks at school.

Hyunseo is a very energetic and enthusiastic person. His positive attitude is contagious and always makes everyone around him feel comfortable. He introduced me to many classmates, encouraged me to join conversations and activities, and helped me become part of the school community.

Together, Eddie and Hyunseo also showed me around the school campus and explained where different classrooms and facilities were located. They answered all my questions, shared their own experiences as international students, and offered helpful advice about studying and life at Doncaster Secondary College. They always treated me with kindness, patience and respect, which made me feel welcomed from my very first day.

The Buddy Program has been one of the best experiences since I arrived in Australia. It helped me settle into my new school much faster than I expected. Within just a few days, I felt more confident, made new friends, and became familiar with my new environment. I am very grateful to Eddie, Hyunseo and the International Student Program Staff for creating such a supportive program for new international students.

I hope the Buddy Program will continue in the future because it is a fantastic initiative that helps new students feel welcomed, supported and connected. I believe many future international students will benefit from this wonderful program just as I have.

-Xiang-Ming (Shaun) LAN

Hyunseo and Eddie’s Buddy Program Experience as Buddies

This year, I had the opportunity to be a buddy for Shawn, an international student from Taiwan. Shawn is 15 years old and arrived in Australia 1 month ago. From the moment we met, he made a great first impression. Although we had never met before, he greeted me warmly and confidently, which made it easy for us to become friends.

As we got to know each other, I discovered that we shared several common interests, particularly baseball. Shawn told me that he had played as a centre fielder in Taiwan. He also enjoys volleyball, which he played before moving to Australia.

As part of the Buddy Program, my friends and I helped Shawn settle into life at Doncaster Secondary College. We showed him around the school, explained where his classrooms were located, and introduced him to our friendship group so he could feel more comfortable and connected.

The part I enjoyed most was making a new friend while helping someone feel welcomed into our school community. It was rewarding to see how simple acts of kindness and support could make such a positive difference to someone's transition into a new environment.

Through this experience, I learned the importance of welcoming new students and helping them feel included. Even small everyday actions can have a lasting impact and make a new student feel more confident and supported.

The Buddy Program has given me a meaningful friendship with Shawn and an experience that I will always remember throughout my time at Doncaster Secondary College.

- Hyunseo Lee

My name is Eddie, and I have been a Buddy to Shawn, a new international student from Taiwan. Shawn is 15 years old and enjoys playing volleyball, so we quickly found that we shared a common interest in sports.

As Shawn settled into life at Doncaster Secondary College, I helped him find his classrooms, explained how our school works, and translated class content whenever he had difficulty understanding English. I wanted to make sure he felt comfortable asking questions and knew that he always had someone to turn to for support.

The part I enjoyed most about being a Buddy was spending time with Shawn outside the classroom. We played American football, volleyball and baseball together, which was a great way to get to know each other and have fun. Through these activities, we became good friends and built a strong connection.

Being part of the Buddy Program has been a very rewarding experience. It has given me the opportunity to support a new student as they adjust to a different country, language and school environment. At the same time, I have developed my communication, leadership and teamwork skills while making a new friend.

I am grateful to have been part of this program and would encourage other students to become a Buddy in the future. Even small acts of kindness can make a big difference to a new student's first experience at Doncaster Secondary College.

-Chenxi (Eddie) XU

International Student Ambassador helps fellow local student

At Doncaster Secondary College, our International Student Learning Hub continues to provide valuable opportunities for students to learn from one another. One wonderful example is the peer maths support provided by our International Student Ambassador, Kuysing (Kyle) Te, who has been working with fellow local student Ruby Lim to strengthen her mathematical understanding and confidence.

Ruby first discovered Kyle's tutoring through a recommendation from another international student. Knowing that Kyle also speaks Khmer, Ruby felt it would be especially helpful if she needed support with challenging mathematical terminology in English. During one session, Kyle even explained mathematical concepts in Khmer, which not only helped Ruby understand the content more clearly but also gave her the opportunity to practise her Khmer speaking and pronunciation.

Throughout the sessions, Kyle patiently explains each question step by step, demonstrating how to solve problems while clearly describing the reasoning behind each stage of the process. He also writes the worked solutions on a separate sheet of paper and encourages Ruby to copy them herself, helping reinforce her understanding and making it easier to remember the methods used.

Ruby particularly appreciates the calm and quiet learning environment at the International Student Learning Hub, which allows her to concentrate fully on her work. She also values Kyle's clear and straightforward teaching style, which makes even complex mathematical concepts easier to understand.

Since attending the tutoring sessions, Ruby has gained greater confidence in interpreting maths questions with challenging wording, selecting the correct formulas and applying them appropriately. The regular support has significantly improved both her understanding of mathematics and her confidence in tackling more difficult problems independently.

A big thank you to Kyle for generously volunteering his time and sharing his knowledge with fellow students. His leadership, patience and willingness to support others truly reflect the spirit of our International Student Ambassador Program and demonstrate the positive impact that peer learning can have within our school community.

🌟 READY PLAYER ONE–Lunchtime Fun for Students 🌟

Looking for a fun and relaxing way to spend your Friday lunchtime? Come along to READY PLAYER ONE –Lunchtime Fun for Students at the International Student Learning Hub!

This exciting initiative provides international students with the opportunity to unwind, enjoy a variety of board and card games, and connect with friends in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Students are also encouraged to invite one local student to join the fun, creating new friendships and strengthening connections across our school community.

Proudly organised and hosted by our 2026 International Student Ambassadors, the program aims to foster friendship, belonging, cultural exchange, and global connections while supporting students to feel welcomed and engaged at Doncaster Secondary College.

📅 When: Every Friday at lunchtime📍 Where: International Student Learning Hub

🎲 Games include:

Rummikub
UNO
Playing Cards
Monopoly
Checkers
Connect Four

Whether you're looking to meet new people, practise your English, or simply enjoy a friendly game, there's something for everyone. We look forward to seeing you there!

Hosted by 2026 International Student Ambassadors

Kuysing (Kyle) Te
Nelly Carol (Nelly) Lim
Zian (Mia) Gao
Guqin (Grace) Xu
Chenxinyi (Celine) Zhao

Term 3 Buddy Program

The 2026 Term 3 International Student Buddy Program is held every Thursday during lunchtime in the International Student Learning Hub. The program is proudly planned and facilitated by the 2026 Global Learning Student Ambassador Project Team, providing a welcoming and supportive environment for new international students.

Each weekly session features fun, interactive, and meaningful activities that encourage students to build friendships, share experiences, develop a sense of belonging, and settle confidently into life at Doncaster Secondary College.

The following report showcases the activities, achievements, and positive impact of the 2026 Term 3 International Student Buddy Program, led by the dedicated 2026 Global Learning Student Ambassador Project Team:

Kuysing (Kyle) Te, Nelly Carol (Nelly) Lim, Zian (Mia) Gao, Guqin (Grace) Xu, Elyse Van Der Mei, Madison Nguyen, Tsz Wai (Josephine) Kung, Boxuan (Danny) Wang, Junyu (William) Yan, and Chenxinyi (Celine) Zhao.

Our recent Buddy Program was another fantastic success, with our 2026 Global Learning Student Ambassadors warmly welcoming our newest international students to Doncaster Secondary College.

To help our new students become familiar with the school campus, the session began with our interactive VR DSC School Tour. Following the virtual tour, students participated in a fun and engaging "Guess the Location" challenge. They were shown photos taken from different places around the school and worked together to identify each location.

Our Student Ambassadors demonstrated excellent teamwork throughout the session by confidently hosting activities, explaining the game rules, and encouraging participation. To create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, the ambassadors also joined in the games alongside the new students while everyone enjoyed a selection of multicultural snacks.

One of the highlights of the session was seeing our ambassadors actively support students whenever they were unsure of an answer. Their patience, encouragement, and willingness to help reflected the friendly and inclusive culture of our international student community. It was wonderful to see our new students enthusiastically trying their best to remember important school locations and becoming more confident with the campus.

Beyond learning about the school, the Buddy Program provided valuable opportunities for students to build new friendships, develop a sense of belonging, and settle into life at Doncaster Secondary College. Through leading the activities, our Student Ambassadors also strengthened their own communication, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability skills.

Following the session, our ambassadors reflected on ways to make future Buddy Programs even better. They identified opportunities to improve their presentation skills, become more familiar with the Buddy Program PowerPoint, provide even clearer instructions, and better manage the flow of activities. Their thoughtful reflections demonstrate their commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring every new international student feels welcomed, supported, and confident from their very first weeks at DSC.

Another International Student Buddy Program session brought plenty of laughter, creativity and friendly competition with the game “Who’s the Imposter?”

This fun activity was designed to encourage communication, logical reasoning, observation and teamwork, while giving students a relaxed opportunity to meet new people and build meaningful friendships.

More than just a game, the session gave our students a wonderful opportunity to communicate, cooperate and get to know one another in a relaxed environment. It was fantastic to see students from different backgrounds laughing together, encouraging each other and becoming more confident in making new connections.

We look forward to bringing more fun activities to our Buddy Program and continuing to create opportunities for our international students to make friends, build connections and feel a strong sense of belonging at DSC!

We are incredibly proud of our 2026 Global Learning Student Ambassadors for their enthusiasm, leadership, and dedication to creating a positive and inclusive experience for all new international students.

Term 3 2026 International Student Reading Program

In Term 3, our International Team is running a Reading Program to support international students based on their school reports, and Chronicle entries submitted by their teachers. The purpose of this program is to address areas of concern, including inappropriate learning habits, and support students in improving their academic performance and developing positive learning behaviours.

How We Support Students

We provide one-on-one support during recess or lunchtime.
We check students' learning progress and encourage them to:
- Attend all classes on time.
- Submit all tasks on time.
- Follow their teachers' instructions.
- Put their best effort into their learning.
- Ask their teachers for help if they are unsure about anything.
We print the lesson plans uploaded to Compass by the teacher for students' learning and:
- Check whether students have prepared the lesson plans for their classes that day.
- Guide students on how to use the lesson plans before each lesson begins.
- Show students how to review the lesson plans after each lesson to consolidate the knowledge and skills they have learned in class.

Through this program, we aim to help students develop effective learning strategies, take responsibility for their learning, develop positive learning habits, and achieve success in their learning journey at DSC.

READY PLAYER ONE– Fun, Friends and Connections

As the 2026 International Student Ambassadors, we were excited to organise “READY PLAYER ONE – Fun, Friends and Connections” during Friday lunchtime sessions for our international student community at Doncaster Secondary College.

We wanted to create a fun, relaxed and welcoming space where students could take a break from classes, meet new people and make friends. We especially recognised that lunchtime can be a great opportunity for students who are new to DSC or new to Australia to feel more comfortable and connected.

During our sessions, students could choose from a range of games, including Rummikub (RUMMY-O), Hangman and Wooden 4-in-a-Row. Students played in small groups and were encouraged to invite others to join. The games provided an easy and enjoyable way to start conversations, work together and connect with new friends.

Through planning and running the activity, we also developed our own leadership, organisation and teamwork skills. We learned that students from different cultural backgrounds may have different ways of socialising, but something as simple as a game can bring people together and create connections.

One of the most rewarding parts was seeing students become more confident, relaxed and comfortable with one another as the sessions continued. We hope that READY PLAYER ONE helped create a more inclusive and supportive international student community at DSC and encouraged everyone to feel that they belong.

We would like to thank everyone who joined our sessions and helped make them so enjoyable. We look forward to creating more opportunities for international students to have fun, make friends, and build connections at DSC!

2026 International Student Ambassadors

Kuysing (Kyle) Te
Nelly Carol (Nelly) Lim
Zian (Mia) Gao
Guqin (Grace) Xu
Chenxinyi (Celine) Zhao

Sally Huang

International Student Program Director