International Student Program

- Meet the new ISP Team and Seeking new Homestay providers

Do you have a spare bedroom or two at home?

Strathmore Secondary College is recruiting homestay families for long-term international students and short-term Study Abroad students.

What is a Homestay?

Homestay families provide international students with a safe, welcoming, and friendly home while they study at our school. It is an extremely valuable opportunity for international students to experience an Australian lifestyle, practice their English language skills in a home setting, and be part of a family.

Who can become a Homestay?

Homestay providers can be families, couples, or individuals who are preferably located within close proximity to our school or public transport. All members of host families over the age of 18 years must hold a current Working With Children Card. The cards can be obtained online or from the local post office and are free of charge.

Payments to Homestay Families.

Homestay providers will receive a tax-free payment every 2 or 4 weeks to cover the cost of students’ meals, accommodation, and access to amenities. Homestay providers can host up to 3 international students at any one time.

For further information about becoming a Homestay Provider please contact our International Student Coordinator Ha To

Email: ISP@strathmore.vic.edu.au

Phone: +613 9379 7999

Phone: 0447 335 357

Mr Ha To

International Student Coordinator

Ms Karen Ji

International Homestay Coordinator

Meet our New International Student Program Team

This term has brought an exciting new chapter for our International Student Program (ISP), as we farewelled two valued members of the team and welcomed two experienced new staff members to lead and support the program.

Last term we farewelled Cathy Di Battista and Wen Pang as they embarked on exciting new opportunities at Kew High School and Rosehill Secondary College respectively. We sincerely thank Cathy and Wen for their many years of dedicated service and significant contributions to Strathmore Secondary College, particularly their work supporting our International Student Program, and wish them every success and happiness in their new roles.

We are delighted to welcome Ha To and Karen Ji to our International Student Program team. Both Ha and Karen bring extensive experience working with international students, along with great enthusiasm and a strong commitment to student learning and wellbeing. Assistant Principals Vanessa Pratt and Rohan Nicholls will also be supporting the International Student Program. We are excited about the experience and energy the new team brings to the program as they work together to support our wonderful international students and their families, strengthen connections across our school community and build on the many strengths of the program.

The International Student Program office is located in B Building. International students and families are warmly encouraged to connect with Ha and Karen, who look forward to getting to know our students and supporting them throughout their time at Strathmore Secondary College. They can be reached at ISP@strathmore.vic.edu.au or via school phone number: +613 9379 7999.

Meet Ha To – International Student Program Coordinator

G'day everyone,

My name is Ha To, and I am delighted to join Strathmore Secondary College (SSC) as the new International Student Program Coordinator.

I come to SSC from Copperfield College, where I worked as an International Student Coordinator for the past eight years. I am excited to bring my experience in international education to Strathmore and to contribute to our vibrant school community.

I am passionate about supporting international students to make the most of their learning and living experiences in Australia. My goal is to provide high-quality support to students and families while helping to strengthen and promote Strathmore Secondary College's International Student Program.

Having worked in diverse multicultural environments, and as a migrant myself, I understand the challenges and opportunities that international students and their families may experience. This perspective helps me connect with students and provide the guidance and support they need to feel a sense of belonging and achieve success.

Strathmore Secondary College offers students strong academic opportunities alongside a broad range of extracurricular experiences within a caring, inclusive and positive learning environment. I am very excited to be part of a school with such a strong commitment to student learning and wellbeing.

I look forward to getting to know our students, families and wider school community and to the exciting opportunities ahead.

Meet Karen Ji – ISP Homestay Coordinator

After eight rewarding years at Carwatha College, I am excited to begin a new chapter at Strathmore Secondary College as a member of the International Student Program team.

I look forward to bringing my experience and skills to the team and, most importantly, getting to know and supporting our international students and their families. I am passionate about helping students feel welcomed, connected and supported as they settle into school life and make the most of the many learning and extracurricular opportunities available at Strathmore Secondary College.

I am delighted to be joining the SSC community and look forward to working alongside Ha, Vanessa, Rohan  and our wider staff team to help our international students have a positive, rewarding and successful experience at the College.