EALLS Faculty

Evans High School Welcome Program

The EALLS Faculty has had a busy and rewarding start to the year as we continue to support newly arrived students through our Evans High School Welcome Program. This specially designed program aims to help students make a smooth transition into mainstream high school by providing them with essential knowledge and skills.

The Welcome Program is delivered over six sessions to support both a smooth transition of IEC students, both academically and personally. These include:

• Session 1: Orientation to High School – Introducing students to school routines, facilities, and key staff

• Session 2: Expectations – Understanding school rules, uniform, behaviour expectations, and respectful communication

• Session 3: Study, Assessment and Library – Learning how to study effectively, complete assessments, and use library resources

• Session 4: Wellbeing and Getting Organised – Our Student Support Officer, Ms Bilgin, provides strategies to manage stress, stay healthy, and organise school life

• Session 5: Choices and Pathways – Introducing subject options, electives, and future learning or career pathways

• Session 6: Challenges at High School – Discussing common challenges and providing strategies for resilience

The program is designed to build confidence and foster belonging in the Evans High School community. Students are encouraged to ask questions, participate in discussions, and reflect on their educational journeys. At the end of the program, we have a lunch all together to discuss the past week and to celebrate their arrival into the mainstream part of Evans High School.

The program also gives opportunities to ex-IEC students to develop their leadership skills by being 'buddies" for the new IEC students.

A comment from our high school buddies:

“This is Juhi Rajan and Arani Vithuran from Year 9. This is the second time for us to be involved in the Welcome Program as buddies for the new students from IEC. Helping them with their needs and showing them around the school was the best experience. We would love to continue being volunteers in future”

To further support our families, the faculty recently hosted the Welcome Program Breakfast, a warm and engaging event for the parents and carers of newly arrived Intensive English students. This was a wonderful opportunity for families to meet staff in the EALLS faculty, to connect with other parents, and to learn more about life at a mainstream high school.

The morning included an overview of the school, the expectations and an introduction to staff in the EALLS faculty who would be supporting their child. It’s also a time for parents to ask questions in a relaxed setting. Interpreters were available to ensure that all families felt welcome and informed.

We wish to give a warm welcome to all new students and their families as they join the Evans High School community.

EALLS Faculty