WELC & International Student Reports

Message from the International Coordinator and WELC Coordinator 

WELC Update

We are quickly coming to the end of Term 4. It has been a very busy term and students have worked well in their classes and participated in a variety of extra-curricular activities throughout the term.

In Week 5, all the WELC students completed a First Aid Training HLTAID010 certificate. Students studied First Aid techniques and demonstrated their skills to the instructors in order to pass the assessment for their certificate. 

Students also went on a city excursion to ACMI, the Myer Windows and The Shrine of Remembrance. Students took public transport to the city and visited key sites. Students toured the Shrine, learning about Australian history and how we remember our soldiers. Students also had the chance to try on uniforms as an immersive experience.

At the recent Westall Semester Awards Assembly WELC awarded several students Academic Excellence awards and Most Improved awards. We congratulate the following students for this achievements and their commitment to their studies; Haoxuan, Leiyan, Haruna, Arata, Xuantong, Fereshte, Yihan, Mohsen, Sadaf, Han-Ru, Natsume and Nyalew.

On Thursday we will hold our Graduation. Exiting students will receive a certificate and exit report and be given the chance to give a speech to their peers. Students are exiting to many different schools and some have already attended transition sessions at their new schools. We congratulate all our graduating students and wish them all the best at their new schools. Some of our students have volunteered to MC or perform at the graduation and we thank these students for their enthusiasm and help in making graduation a fun day.

Our final day of classes will be on Friday 12 December and on this day all WELC students will go to Aspendale Beach to do a Beach and Water Safety program run by Surf Lifesaving Victoria. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to gain valuable skills around water safety.

The last day of school this year is 17 December and Term 1 will start on 28 January 2026. We encourage all students to continue to practise their English over the break and wish all students and families a safe and happy holiday and new year. We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

Ms Debby Morgan 

WELC Coordinator

ART ELECTIVE

In art class, students created animal prints using foam sheets and showcased them on vibrant oil pastel backgrounds. 

As Christmas approached, they cut out and decorated paper Christmas trees.

 Wishing Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and happy holidays to all!

Ms Anna Kotsiou

WELC Teacher

WELC Wellbeing Program

This term, WELC ran a dedicated Wellbeing Program during Monday Period 4 and Tuesday Period 1, with students participating in either a junior or senior group. The program covered a new topic each week, beginning with an introduction to what wellbeing is and getting to know our school’s wellbeing team. Students also explored physical wellbeing, mental wellbeing, and digital wellbeing, with a strong focus on building healthy habits and understanding the impact of social media.

Each session included a variety of hands-on, practical activities designed to help students develop real wellbeing skills in an engaging and supportive environment. The students looked forward to this time every week, as it gave them the chance to learn, reflect, connect with others, and practise positive wellbeing strategies.

The program was led by Ms. Debby, the WELC Coordinator, who planned and guided each session with care and enthusiasm, and was run by Ms.Anna, Ms.Chow, Ms.Hambley-Mason and Mr. Namila.

Student Testimonials

Shirley: “Wellbeing helped me to learn a lot of things.”

Cheng Cheng: “Wellbeing class taught me a lot about my mood. It was very useful.”

Cristiano: “I think that wellbeing is good for me because it can teach me to be positive, resilient, and to use social media properly. So it can make us better people.”

Tony: “I can connect with new students at the wellbeing centre. I can enjoy and learn new things.” 

Arata: “The most interesting was about SNS. I usually use SNS for a long time, but I can’t use it from December 10. I will use my time for sports moving forward.”

Justin: “The wellbeing centre was perfect. I learned a lot of things in wellbeing, like my mind and social media. It was a great time.”

Namila Wanniarachchi

WELC Teacher 

WELC City Excursion -November 20

On Thursday 20th November the students in the Westall English Language Centre went on an excursion to the city to visit the ACMI located opposite Flinders Street Station, the Shrine of Remembrance, the Australian Centre of Moving Images located at Federation Square and the Myer store Christmas Display Window. The students took the train and were divided into two groups, both accompanied by teachers and having their own sequence of visits. 

Walking in comfortable shoes ensured we could enjoy the day’s fine weather and fresh air. The students got off the train at Flinders Street Station and headed for the ACMI building where ‘film, TV, video games, and digital art through exhibitions, cinemas, and interactive experiences, focusing on screen culture and fostering future creators’ are celebrated. The history of games, cameras, animation and films are displayed. The students enjoyed the displays and the opportunity to try the games.

The next visit was the Shrine of Remembrance, Victoria's national memorial honouring the service and sacrifice of Australians in war and peacekeeping, where the students watched a movie on the World Wars and then were able to look at and try on military uniforms. They were fortunate to have a Guide show them around and explain the significance of certain objects on display from the World Wars. Many photos were taken, much knowledge was accumulated and they were able to visit the Memorial room. 

The last stop, before heading back to school, was the magnificent Myer Store Christmas display window. The students were very engaged in looking at the Christmas characters and eagerly lined up in the queue  to take photos behind other curious locals and sightseers. 

Ms Stephanie Sutton

WELC Teacher

WELC Students Create the Tallest Towers

Using mere spaghetti, a meter of string and tape, and to top it off—a mini marshmallow— along with ingenuity, the students in WELC cooperatively devised a plan. 

What was it? To make the strongest, tallest tower without it crumbling, crashing or falling to pieces. Could you devise a miniature leaning tower of Pisa, or a small tower not unlike the Eiffel Tower in Paris? 

Well, our students put their minds to it and here are some of the structures they came up with and created.

Mrs Lisa Marlene HAMBLEY-MASON

WELC Teacher

International Student Program 

Dear Students, Parents, and Homestay Providers,

As we wrap up another busy and rewarding term, we are delighted to share some highlights from the International Student Program. Our students continue to demonstrate resilience, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved.

November Birthday Celebrations

We began the term by celebrating students with birthdays in November and December. It was a joyful afternoon filled with cake, photos, and warm wishes. These monthly celebrations have become a lovely way for students to feel recognised and valued, especially those far from home.

Year 12 Graduation 

One of the major highlights of the term was the Year 12 Graduation Ceremony, held at Kingston Town Hall on 28 November. Our Year 12 international students looked absolutely stunning in their graduation gowns, and it was a privilege to watch them cross the stage in recognition of years of hard work and dedication.

The ceremony was a heartfelt celebration—not just of academic achievement, but of the resilience and determination our students have shown throughout their journey in Australia. Many have balanced studies with homesickness, cultural adjustments, new friendships, and the challenges of living independently or in homestay. Their accomplishments are a testament to their perseverance.

We congratulate the Class of 2025 and wish them all the very best as they move forward into further education, careers, and new opportunities.

ISP End-of-Year Dinner 

On 11 November, we gathered for our annual End-of-Year Dinner, this year held at Seoul Garden BBQ. It was a wonderful evening filled with delicious food, lively conversations, and lots of laughter. Students enjoyed cooking together at the table and bonding over shared stories and experiences from throughout the year.

The dinner also gave us a chance to reflect on the achievements, challenges, and memorable moments of 2025. We were pleased to see students feeling relaxed, supported, and connected as we celebrated the end of the school year.

Thank you to all the students and staff who joined us—it was truly a warm and memorable night.

Thank you to all our international students, families, and homestay hosts for your continued support throughout the term. Your cooperation and positivity make our program strong and welcoming.

We wish everyone a restful, safe, and happy holiday break, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year.

Holiday Travel Plans

As we approach the school holidays, we remind all families and students to check official school term dates before booking flights. International students are required to attend school for the full term, which means you cannot leave early or return late. Please plan carefully and submit your travel details to the school for approval before finalising any bookings.

Ms Summer Bao

International Coordinator