International Students

2025 Global Learning Student Voice Closing Forum

The 2025 Global Learning Student Voice Project is designed to empower young leaders by strengthening their advocacy skills and fostering global learning and engagement within their schools.

This year, Doncaster Secondary College was honoured to be selected to participate, with seven of our local and international students attending the Closing Forum. The event provided a valuable platform for students to showcase the whole-school initiatives they had organised over the past six months, alongside other leading Victorian Government and independent schools.

Our student representatives fully engaged in all aspects of the forum, contributing thoughtful and innovative ideas for future projects at DSC. They demonstrated exceptional teamwork and leadership throughout the event, and we are extremely proud of their efforts and achievements.

Congratulations to our 2025 Global Learning Student Voice Team:

• Meyly (Elly) Te
• Kuysing (Kyle) Te
• Madison Nguyen
• Elyse Van Der Mei
• Zian (Mia) Gao
• Tsz Wai (Josephine) KUNG
• Junyu (William) Yan

A special highlight was our international student, Meyly (Elly) Te, who stepped into a significant leadership role as a Student Ambassador for the 2025 Global Learning Student Voice Project. Wearing her ambassador sash with pride, Elly inspired and engaged her peers in meaningful discussions and made valuable contributions throughout the forum. Her active role in the Student Voice Ambassador Panel was a testament to her dedication, enthusiasm, and ability to lead with impact.

Congratulations, Elly, on this remarkable achievement!

Here is a reflection from our students:

It was truly a great pleasure and privilege for me to be part of the team, especially as this was my very first time participating in an event of this nature. Our team devoted a great deal of effort to preparing our presentation, and I was proud of how confidently and effectively we delivered it during the forum. Beyond presenting, we also had the opportunity to observe and learn from the work of other schools. Their presentations introduced us to fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, broadening our understanding of how global issues can be approached in different ways.

Another highlight of the forum was the chance to connect and communicate with students from a variety of schools. Engaging in discussions about significant global challenges allowed us to exchange opinions and learn from one another’s experiences. These meaningful conversations reminded me of the importance of collaboration and the power of listening to diverse voices.

Through this experience, I gained far more than knowledge. I developed essential skills in teamwork, communication, and critical thinking, all of which I know will be valuable in the future. Most importantly, I found the forum to be both inspiring and motivating, encouraging me to continue seeking opportunities where I can contribute, learn, and grow. I sincerely hope to take part in similar activities again, as they not only enrich my learning but also strengthen my confidence as a student and global citizen. 

- Zian (Mia) Gao

Each school delivered a presentation, sharing their chosen topics and the activities they had undertaken. It was inspiring to hear the valuable ideas from other schools, many of which sparked new thoughts and motivation for us. Their programs were creative and engaging, such as exchange student initiatives, cultural days, and more.

We also had the opportunity to collaborate in mixed groups with students from different schools. Together, we discussed activities we would like to try, reflected on the topics presented, and considered how we could improve our own approaches.

As with previous forums, we were treated to a wonderful spread of breakfast, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea, which added to the welcoming atmosphere. At the conclusion of the event, each participant received a certificate, and our team was delighted to also receive an award for the Most Creative Activity in the Watch-Out Safe Zone art competition. 

-Junyu (William) Yan

Overall, the forum was an enriching experience, filled with meaningful presentations, idea-sharing, and enjoyable moments. It has been a pleasure to take part in and contribute to such a variety of school activities and programs. The forum was extremely insightful and inspiring, we had the opportunity to listen to our fellow ambassadors from other schools, and they told us all about what events they had ran and what challenges they faced. Towards the end we got to share our ideas on how we could make our programs even better; we exchanged thoughts and feedback to ultimately make our next projects better. 

- Madison NGUYEN 

During our presentation, we proudly shared the success of our International Student Buddy Program, along with the Watch Out Safe-Zone Art Contest. Additionally, we reflected on the improvements and challenges of our events, and what we will focus on whilst preparing and executing our future plans. In summary, it was a great honour to attend the 2025 Global Learning Student Voice closing ceremony. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the astonishing efforts and achievements made by all attendees. As a local student, it was also excellent to see the positive impact projects like this can have on both the school and wider community. I am extremely glad to have met many like-minded students from across the state, and I am assuredly looking forward to returning in 2026!

- Elyse VAN DER MEI

International Student Ambassador Program Report

This term, our International Student Ambassadors proudly supported two exciting activities that brought students together: the Lunchtime Game Sessions and the Mooncake Festival. Both events gave us the chance to contribute to our school community, while also building teamwork and leadership skills.

During the Lunchtime Game Sessions, ambassadors set up tables, organised the game areas, and explained the rules to students who were unfamiliar with the games. We also joined in the fun, making sure everyone felt included. At the end of each session, we packed away the board games and kept the International Hub clean and welcoming. It was wonderful to see students enjoying themselves, trying new games, and learning together.

For the Mooncake Festival, ambassadors worked behind the scenes to carry, unpack, and distribute mooncakes to our international students. We also assisted with activities to ensure that everyone could celebrate and experience this important cultural tradition. Sharing mooncakes and seeing students come together made the event memorable and meaningful for all.

Being an International Student Ambassador means more than just helping at events—it’s about showing responsibility, teamwork, and respect in everything we do. Whether it’s organising materials, guiding students through games, or preparing mooncakes, these small actions make a big difference in helping others feel happy and included in our school.

Here are some reflections from our ambassadors:

We have had many opportunities to support our teachers, peers, and the wider school community through a variety of meaningful tasks and events. Our responsibilities often include helping teachers organise documents, distribute materials, and assist during cultural celebrations and student engagement activities. These experiences have allowed us to grow as individuals and as a team, while also giving back to the school community that supports us.

One of the most memorable events we participated in was the Mooncake Festival celebration. This is a tradition that holds personal significance for many of us, and being part of the team behind the scenes made the event even more special. We worked together to carefully unpack the mooncakes, arrange them neatly on tables, and prepare them in bags for distribution to students. It was a hands-on experience that reminded us of the value of attention to detail, cooperation, and shared cultural appreciation. Taking photos during the event helped capture the joyful atmosphere, and it was rewarding to see so many students enjoy a festival that celebrates unity and tradition. Through our involvement, we felt a strong sense of pride in helping to preserve and promote cultural heritage in our school.

Another part of our ambassador duties is running the Lunchtime Game Sessions every Friday. These sessions have become a space where students can relax, connect, and try something new. One of our most memorable experiences was teaching others how to play Rummikub. At first, many students were unsure of the rules and found it difficult to follow. But through patient step-by-step guidance, we were able to help them gain confidence. Eventually, they were able to play independently, which was incredibly fulfilling for us to witness. These moments highlighted the importance of patience, leadership, and encouragement — key traits we continue to develop as ambassadors.

Throughout our journey in the International Student Ambassador Program, we have learned that leadership is not just about taking charge — it’s about serving others, building connections, and embracing responsibility. We’ve seen firsthand how small acts of service, like distributing materials or guiding peers through a game, can make a significant impact. We’ve also learned how essential teamwork is — by supporting one another and communicating effectively, we are able to accomplish tasks efficiently and create positive experiences for those around us.

This program has also deepened our understanding of diversity and inclusion. We are proud to be part of a community where different cultures are celebrated, and where we can contribute to making everyone feel welcome and supported. Whether we’re organising an event or simply lending a helping hand, we strive to embody the values of respect, responsibility, and empathy.

As we continue to grow in our roles, we remain committed to learning, helping others, and developing the skills that will serve us far beyond school. The International Student Ambassador Program has given us a platform to lead with purpose, and we look forward to many more opportunities to support our peers and enrich our school community together.

• Junyu (William) Yan

• Zian (Mia) Gao

• Boxuan (Danny) Wang

• Tsz Wai (Josephine) Kung

2025 Term 3 Buddy Program-A Great Success!

The Term 3 International Student Buddy Program has once again proven to be a wonderful success, bringing together new international students and their buddies in a warm and supportive environment.

Held every Thursday at lunchtime in the International Student Learning Hub, the sessions have been led by the 2025 Global Learning Student Voice Project Team. Each week, students participated in fun and meaningful activities designed to build friendships, share experiences, and help new international students settle smoothly into life at Doncaster Secondary College.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all our dedicated buddies, who generously volunteered their time to ensure our new students felt welcomed and supported. From learning about Australian culture to sharing delicious multicultural snacks, the program has created many enjoyable and memorable moments.

The Buddy Program has not only helped our new international students adjust to school routines but has also given everyone the opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our community and strengthen cross-cultural friendships.

Congratulations to the Global Learning Student Voice Project Team for leading this initiative with such enthusiasm and care:

• Meyly (Elly) Te
• Kuysing (Kyle) Te
• Madison Nguyen
• Elyse Van Der Mei
• Zian (Mia) Gao

• Junyu (William) Yan

   

We are so proud of the positive energy and commitment from everyone involved, which has made the 2025 Term 3 Buddy Program a truly enriching and successful experience.

2025 Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration

The Mid-Autumn Festival—also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival—is a cherished tradition in Chinese culture, celebrating the harvest season and symbolising reunion and togetherness. It is observed on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, typically aligning with a full moon between mid-September and early October.

At Doncaster Secondary College, this important cultural occasion was celebrated with great warmth and inclusivity. Thanks to the generous support of the College’s leadership team, every international student received a mooncake to mark the 2025 Mooncake Festival. We were especially honoured to have Assistant Principal Ms. Belinda McGee join the international student community to personally deliver the mooncakes—a thoughtful gesture that was deeply appreciated by students and their families. Many have expressed how much this act of kindness lifted their spirits and reminded them they are valued members of the DSC community, even while far from home.

For the first time, members of the 2025 Global Learning Student Voice—local students who have worked closely with the international cohort to foster inclusion and lead whole-school events—were also invited to share in the mooncake tradition. This small but meaningful gesture celebrated the growing connections between our international and local student communities.

The success of this year’s celebration was also made possible by the efforts of four International Student Ambassadors, Junyu (William) Yan, Zian (Mia) Gao, Boxuan (Danny) Wang and Tsz Wai (Josephine) Kung, who volunteered their time to unpack and distribute mooncakes to their peers. Their teamwork and leadership ensured that the festivities ran smoothly and were enjoyed by all.

The Mid-Autumn Festival continues to be a wonderful reminder of the strength of our diverse school community and the importance of celebrating and supporting one another across cultures.

International students’ reflection below: 

This year, I received a White Lutos Paste Mooncake from the international student hub for the celebration of the coming Mid-Autumn festival. I felt so surprised and warm from that because even though I'm far from home, our staff in DSC always remember to celebrate the traditional festival. It gave me a taste of home and a sense of belonging. In addition, I think it's a good way to link the culture between Australia and China by celebrating the festival with both the local students and the international students. I'm so appreciate that our school can give us a chance to celebrate the Chinese traditional festival---the Mid-Autumn festival and receive the mooncake from the celebration. 

- Guqin (Grace) XU

As an international student, I was thrilled to feel the Mid-Autumn warmth in DSC this year, and it all started with receiving a box of mooncakes.  In the past, I always celebrated Mid-Autumn with my family, but being away this year made me a bit homesick at first. But I changed my mind when I received a mooncake from the school. Holding the mooncake, I suddenly felt filled with warmth and thrilled. I feel valued and I’m grateful to the school for caring about international students’ culture and supporting our traditional festival, and thanks to Ms. Huang for spending time on planning which made this Mid-Autumn Festival even more special and unforgettable. This year’s festival was so warmth and caring, thanks for giving me such a wonderful memory. 

- Chenxinyi (Celine) ZHAO

Members of the 2025 Global Learning Student Voice’s reflection below: 

Since I have been studying Mandarin throughout both primary school and secondary school, I have had the opportunity to learn about Chinese culture and festivals; including the Mid-Autumn festival. Though my family doesn’t celebrate it, it was a great experience to be invited to the International Student Hub at lunch to participate in the school-run festivities. The mooncake I received was delicious. I tried both the red bean and white lotus flavour, though the red bean was certainly my favourite! I am grateful to have been invited to celebrate this special occasion, and I look forward to next Mid-Autumn festival! 

- Elyse VAN DER MEI

International Students Excel in the 2025 Australian Mathematics Competition

Our international students continue to demonstrate excellence not only in their studies but also in extracurricular achievements. We are delighted to celebrate their outstanding results in the 2025 Australian Mathematics Competition (AMC).

We are proud to announce that Junyu (William) Yan and Mingxi (Leo) Han have each received the Year 8 High Distinction Award—the highest result in their category. This is an incredible accomplishment and a true reflection of their dedication and talent in mathematics.

First held in 1978, the AMC is Australia’s longest-running, largest, and most prestigious mathematics competition for school students. Achieving a High Distinction places William and Leo among the very top performers nationally.

When asked about his achievement, William shared his reflection on winning this prestigious award:

It is a great pleasure to have received “High Distinction Award” for me for the Australian Math Competition. After knowing about this competition, I immediately signed up and worked hard for it both at home and at school. 

I would like to extend my huge appreciation to my math teacher Ms. Kaur, and my buddy Leo. Every math class, my math teacher always provided me and my friend Leo who also signed up and received the same award AMC practice questions to extend ourselves. Our brilliant math teacher, Ms. Kaur, usually arranged for us a separate room to do the questions, if that we already know the material we are learning. With Leo, we would work together and help each other with the questions and improve. At home, I also did practice questions myself, and with my math teacher in China online. I felt very proud of achieving this result, and I really appreciate all the help I received from my teachers and friends. Overall, I believe the result is really worth the effort.

We warmly congratulate both William and Leo on this remarkable success. Their achievements are a source of pride for the Doncaster Secondary College community and a wonderful example of the talent and commitment within our International Student Program.

International Students Shines in Short Story Competition

The DSC Annual Short Story Competition has come to a close, and we are delighted to celebrate the success of our international students, Guqin (Grace) Xu and Mingxi (Leo) Han, who are among this year’s winners. Congratulations to both students on this wonderful achievement, showcasing their talent and commitment to academic excellence.

Please find their reflections below:

As a new international student, I attend the weekly after-school club every Thursday with the Director of the International Student Program, Ms. Huang. During one of the sessions, Ms. Huang told me that I could try participating in this competition. At first, I felt very worried and unsure about it because I had just arrived in Australia, and my English level is not very strong yet. I was afraid that I might not be able to express myself clearly or that I would make mistakes in front of others.

However, Ms. Huang encouraged me several times and reminded me that taking part in this competition would be a valuable experience, no matter the outcome. Her encouragement gave me more confidence and helped me believe in myself. With her support, I decided to overcome my fears and challenge myself. I became more determined to attend the competition, and I now see it as an opportunity to improve my English, gain experience, and build up my confidence as an international student.

I gave my first draft to Mrs. Chiappa, and she told me that there were some problems with my grammar. She patiently helped me improve my story again and again. I am very grateful for her patience and responsibility. She played one of the most important roles in my competition experience.

In the end, I won the Short Story Competition and received a certificate along with three books as prizes. Through this experience, I not only improved my learning and writing skills but, most importantly, I gained confidence from the constant encouragement of Ms. Huang and Mrs. Chiappa. 

- Grace XU

As a winner of year8 EAL short story competition, I’d like to share my valuable experience. My story is named “The Desert Runner”, which depicts a person, namely ‘myself’, from Cape Town, whose dream is to running through the biggest desert in Africa—the Sahara Desert, all the way from Nigeria to Northern Algeria, aiming to “trace the history back by my feet”. Africa is an incredible continent, full of wondrous myths and diverse cultures, but was nearly forgotten today because people call them ‘land of backwardness’…of course, I do not believe them. 

Before writing this story, I’ve read a book about a true person, who did finished running the entire African continent in just over 30 days, plus my prior knowledge in African geography and history, inspire me a lot and helped me to attend the competition. I feel really lucky after getting involved in this since it gave me not only a chance to practice my English but also confidence!

Appreciate all teachers who generously offered me help, especially Ms Hat! 

- Leo Han

International Student Reading Program Term 3 2025 

In Term3, 2025, our international team has set up Reading program/Learning Task Support sessions during recess, lunchtime and after school to support international students’ learning and help them build positive study habits.

The sessions are scheduled on Compass for students who are required to attend.

How do we support students during the session?

• Check in with the students about their learning progress. 
  • Ensure students have completed and submitted their leaning tasks on time.
  • Ask whether they understand their tasks and encourage them to seek help from subject teachers if they are unsure.
  • Reminder them to listen to their teacher’s instructions and engage their learning in all classes actively.

• Reading support using the stories "A Monster Calls " and "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon " for students at different levels.
  • The student read the storybook aloud
  • Ask them questions to check understanding. 
  • The student writes down unfamiliar words to look up later in a paper dictionary or online. 

  • In the next session, the student brings the words meanings, use them in sentences, and recite them.

     

We hope these sessions will help international students improve their English and build the skills they need to finish learning tasks on time.

Attendance Award-International Student of Term 3

Congratulations to the following students for achieving 100% attendance in Term 3.

They have demonstrated exceptional resilience and responsibility in their studies, serving as outstanding examples of commitment and dedication.