International Students

2026 Global Learning Student Ambassador Project–Opening Forum

The 2026 Global Learning Student Ambassador Project is designed to empower student leaders by strengthening their advocacy skills and promoting meaningful global learning experiences within their schools. Through this initiative, students are encouraged to become proactive ambassadors for inclusivity, cultural awareness, and international engagement.

Doncaster Secondary College is delighted to have been selected to participate in this prestigious program. Our local and international students had the opportunity to attend the opening forum, a dynamic event aimed at fostering connections across cultures and enhancing students’ understanding of global perspectives. The forum offered a rich environment for participants to explore ideas around international student connectedness, inclusion, and collaboration within the school community.

Our student representatives fully immersed themselves in all forum activities, contributing thoughtful and creative ideas for future initiatives to be implemented at Doncaster Secondary College. Their enthusiasm, teamwork, and leadership throughout the event were truly commendable, reflecting the school’s commitment to cultivating global-minded, socially conscious leaders. We are incredibly proud of their dedication, insights, and the outstanding way they represented our school.

Here is a reflection from our students:

As the 2026 Global Learning Student Ambassadors, we are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this inspiring forum. It allowed us to meet new people, collaborate across schools, present our ideas, and work together to create innovative solutions to global issues.

 

This year, our school partnered with Genazzano FCJ College to conceptualise the needs of both school communities and combine our efforts to make a meaningful impact. Through open discussion and collaboration, their students shared valuable insights about the importance of community and connectivity. Learning from one another not only inspired us but also helped us build new friendships and expand our social circles. Hearing about the highlights of their previous projects encouraged us to reflect on our own ideas and think about how we could improve and strengthen this year’s activities.

 

Together, we chose the meaningful theme of “Celebrating Diversity.” We recognised that while we may respect different cultures and traditions, we do not always actively embrace or showcase them. This realisation inspired us to design a Celebration Evening that encourages members of our community to proudly share their own cultural backgrounds while appreciating the cultures of others.

 

We exchanged well-considered ideas, such as hosting a fashion show featuring national costumes and incorporating traditional music performances to highlight the richness of our multicultural society. By combining our creativity and perspectives, we were able to develop a vision for an inclusive and engaging event that truly reflects the diversity within our schools.

 

Throughout this experience, we strengthened our communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. More importantly, the forum enriched our understanding of collaboration, encouraged us to step outside our comfort zones, and broadened the way we approach challenges. We are excited to continue contributing to creative, welcoming, and engaging initiatives that celebrate diversity and foster global learning within our community.

 

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to IEPD for organising this inspiring learning opportunity and to Doncaster Secondary College ISP for their ongoing support throughout this journey.

2026 Global Learning Student Ambassador

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, Chenxinyi (Celine) ZHAO

International Student Learning Hub Welcomes New Students at Orientation Day

In Term 1 of 2026, we were delighted to welcome 20 new international students, each bringing enthusiasm, positivity, and a strong eagerness to begin their educational journey. Hailing from China, South Korea, Cambodia and Brazil, these students have quickly become valued members of our school community.

To support their transition, the International Student Program hosted a carefully planned Orientation Day, designed to help students become familiar with their new environment. The day included informative sessions and interactive activities, aimed at easing both academic and social integration.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our dedicated international student leaders and buddies, who have been paired with the newcomers to provide ongoing guidance and friendship. Their efforts in creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere are truly commendable.

We also extend our gratitude to Principal Glenn for taking the time to personally welcome the students and their families, ensuring they felt valued and supported.

The day also marked the launch of our Buddy Program, which encourages local students to connect with their international peers. It was inspiring to see students from diverse backgrounds come together, forming meaningful friendships that will enrich their high school experience.

As our new students embark on their journey at our school, we are confident they will thrive both academically and personally, contributing to our vibrant and inclusive community. With the continued support of our dedicated staff and student leaders, we look forward to celebrating their growth, achievements, and successes in the years ahead.

Lunar New Year Celebration for International Students

2026 welcomes the Year of the Horse, a symbol of bravery, energy, and resilience. At Doncaster Secondary College, these qualities shine brightly through our international students, who enrich our College with their cultures, languages, and global perspectives.

Lunar New Year is one of the most meaningful cultural celebrations within our International Student Program. Each year, the occasion provides an opportunity not only to honour tradition, but also to strengthen the deep sense of belonging and connection that defines our school community.

This year, our DSC International Student Ambassadors demonstrated outstanding leadership and service by volunteering their time to prepare and distribute beautifully designed red envelopes (hóngbāo) filled with Lucky Lollies. These were presented to all international students, as well as members of the 2026 Global Learning Student Ambassador Project.

In many East Asian cultures, the colour red represents prosperity, happiness, and good fortune. More than a festive gift, these envelopes carried a powerful message — you belong here, and you are valued.

The impact of this gesture was deeply felt. Many students and families shared their heartfelt appreciation, expressing how meaningful it was to experience such warmth and recognition while studying far from home. For them, it was a reminder that Doncaster Secondary College is not just a place of learning, but a supportive community that celebrates diversity and nurtures wellbeing.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Belinda McGee, College Assistant Principal, who personally delivered the red envelopes to students, helping to spread joy and festive spirit across the College.

Through initiatives like this, our International Student Program continues to foster cultural understanding, student leadership, and global citizenship — values that strengthen our entire school community.

Student Reflections:

I really enjoyed the Lunar New Year Celebration for international students. When I received the red envelope, I felt happy and excited. It reminded me of celebrating with my family. Inside the red envelope, there were six lollies. The number six is lucky in Chinese culture because it means everything will go smoothly in the new year. I really liked this special meaning. I shared the lollies with my friends, and it made the celebration more fun. Even though it was a small gift, it made me feel welcomed and included in our school community. I am very thankful for this celebration. -Mia GAO

When I received my red envelope and saw the words “Everything goes smoothly” written on it, I felt a sense of warmth and familiarity. Even though I am far away from home, it made me feel that the school still cares about us and supports us on this very special day. That small gesture reminded me of my family and the Lunar New Year celebrations back home. The candies were sweet and strawberry-flavoured, and their sweetness brought a smile to my face. I later shared the candies with my family, which made the moment even more special. Although we are apart, sharing that small treat helped us feel connected. It truly meant a lot to me and made this Lunar New Year celebration even more memorable. -Celine ZHAO

DSC International Student Ambassadors Reflection:

As part of our Lunar New Year celebrations at DSC, our International Student Ambassadors came together to transform the Hub into a vibrant and festive space filled with colour, culture, and joy.

In preparation for the celebration, we carefully assembled bright red lanterns, which symbolise happiness, good fortune, and reunion. Hanging the lanterns around the Hub instantly created a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It was wonderful to see students stopping to admire the decorations and asking questions about their meaning.

We also spent time making red envelopes filled with lucky lollies. In many Asian cultures, red envelopes are traditionally given during Lunar New Year as a symbol of good luck and blessings for the year ahead. Instead of money, we included sweet treats to share joy and positivity with our school community. We thoughtfully placed the lollies inside each envelope, hoping that everyone who received one would have a smooth and successful year.

Decorating the Hub with Lunar New Year ornaments was another highlight of the experience. From paper cuttings to festive banners with auspicious messages, every decoration represented wishes for prosperity, happiness, and good health. Working together as ambassadors not only strengthened our teamwork skills but also allowed us to proudly share our cultural traditions with others.

The celebration was more than just decorations and sweets — it was about creating a sense of belonging and inclusion. As international students, being able to celebrate this important festival at school made us feel supported and valued. It was heart-warming to see local and international students engaging in conversations about Lunar New Year and learning from one another.

We are proud to have contributed to such a meaningful celebration and look forward to continuing to promote cultural diversity and global understanding at DSC. 🧧✨

-Mia GAO, Celine ZHAO, Leo HAN, Danny WANG, William YAN, Nelly LIM, Kyle TE

Members of the 2026 Global Learning Student Ambassador Project Reflections:

I felt truly delighted and surprised when I received the red envelope during the Lunar New Year Celebration. It was such a special moment for me because I had heard about this tradition before, but experiencing it in person made it much more meaningful. When I opened the red envelope, I found some delicious Chinese candies inside. The bright colours and sweet flavours made the experience even more joyful and memorable. Through these Chinese candies, I learnt more about the culture and traditions of the Lunar New Year. I discovered that many of the sweets have symbolic meanings, such as wishing for happiness, prosperity, and a sweet life in the year ahead. I also found out that receiving a red envelope symbolises good luck and blessings for the new year. The colour red itself represents happiness and good fortune, which makes the red envelope an important and meaningful part of the celebration. I decided to share the candies with my parents and friends because I wanted to spread happiness and good wishes to them as well. Sharing the sweets made me feel connected to them and helped us celebrate the Lunar New Year together. It was a wonderful experience that not only brought me joy but also helped me better understand and appreciate this beautiful cultural tradition. -Josephine KUNG

This Lunar New Year, we kept the festive spirit alive at our International Hub. The hub was buzzing with energy as students and staff came together to celebrate. Everyone’s faces lit up as they received red pockets, each filled with tiny strawberry candies—sweet little symbols of good luck for the year ahead. It was wonderful to see so many people laughing, sharing stories, and joining in the celebrations, creating a warm and joyful community atmosphere. -Madison NGUYEN

2026 Term 1 Buddy Program

The 2026 Term 1 International Student Buddy Program is held every Thursday at lunchtime in the International Student Learning Hub, the sessions have been led by 2026 Global Learning Student Ambassador 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.

The following report highlights the progress and key achievements of the 2026 Term 1 International Student Buddy Program, proudly organised and led by the 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.

Building Connections Through Icebreakers

Our first session began with an engaging icebreaker activity designed to create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. With a variety of delicious multicultural snacks prepared for everyone, the room quickly felt warm and inviting.

Students were encouraged to stand, walk around while music played, and begin conversations with the person next to them when the music stopped. At first, some students felt shy and hesitant; however, as the activity progressed, everyone gradually joined in. It was heart-warming to see laughter filling the room as conversations became more natural and friendships began to form.

Students confidently shared their interests, personal experiences, and cultural stories with one another. As hosts and participants, we were reminded of how important it is to feel supported and welcomed when entering a new environment. For many students—particularly those newly arrived or from different cultural backgrounds—having a buddy can make a significant difference in helping them feel less alone and more connected to the school community.

VR School Tour 

On 12 February, we successfully hosted the second session of the Buddy Program — the VR School Tour. This session provided students with a fun and interactive way to become more familiar with our school facilities.

Our team worked collaboratively to host the activity, explain the rules clearly, record points, and capture memorable moments through photographs. Students were given photos taken from different locations around the school and were asked to identify where each place was. After the explanation, our new international students quickly paired with their buddies and formed teams.

Every group actively participated and demonstrated enthusiasm. It was truly heart-warming to observe buddies patiently guiding new students while also encouraging teamwork and friendly competition to earn points. Even when some answers were incorrect, we continued to motivate students to try again, reinforcing a positive and supportive atmosphere.

The lunchtime setting, accompanied by multicultural snacks and interaction with peers from different year levels, allowed students to relax while building new friendships. By the end of the session, our new international students were noticeably more confident and familiar with the school environment.

Reflections from Our New International Students and Their Buddies

Mia Gao - I spent time with my buddy, Joonsung. He is quite shy, but also very kind and polite. Although he didn’t speak much at first, he listened carefully and gradually shared a little during our conversation. Having lunch together helped him feel more comfortable and relaxed. Overall, it was a meaningful opportunity to welcome new students and help them feel included in our school community.

Danny Wang - My buddy’s name is Lily. She is 12 years old, from China, and currently in Year 7. She is a kind and friendly girl, and also very tall! Lily loves playing sports, especially badminton, netball, and cricket. She used to play these sports in primary school and was even the cricket team leader. Her favourite subject is PE because she is very talented in sports. Lily is easy-going and enjoys making new friends. She is always striving to improve herself and continue developing her strengths.

Isaac Shim - My buddy’s name is William, and he is currently in Year 8. He comes from China and is also a member of the Voice Group. His favourite food is Peking duck, a very popular dish in China that many people enjoy. William also loves playing sports, especially badminton.

As for me, I enjoy Belgian waffles as multicultural snack during the buddy program sessions. Their deep pockets are perfect for holding maple syrup, making them a delicious multicultural snack. I first tried them when I was in Year 3, at a small shop near a theme park. It was such a nice place to visit and enjoy something sweet.

Seth Chea - On my first day at DSC, Ms Huang warmly welcomed me and the other international students to our new country and school. We introduced ourselves to everyone in the room to get to know one another. Later, we were joined by Mr Morris, the Principal, who also gave us a warm welcome. After introducing ourselves to him, we took a group photo together. It made me feel truly welcomed and supported as I began my new journey here.