International Students

ART OLYMPIA Award Ceremony

Student leaders Venus F. and Christy K. hosted the "YOUR CULTURE, OUR CULTURE" Art Competition Award Ceremony. The 2024 International Student Forum Team, competition judges, College Principal Mr. Morris, Facility Manager Mr. Timothy Sprigg, Director of the International Student Program Ms. Huang, and the award winners came together to celebrate the achievements of our outstanding artists.

COMPETITION WINNERS

Honorable Mentions

Claire S. of Year 9

Giorgio A. of Year 12

Third Place

Chenyu L. of Year 8

Zhao Z. of Year 10

Parmis G. of Year 8

Ruby Y. of Year 10

Our 3rd Place winners

Second Place

Isabella T. of Year 8

First Place

Nikta R. of Year 11

Teacher Winners

Thank you to our Judges, David Glaubitz, Joyce Wong and Simon Tay.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the 2024 International Student Voice Team for their outstanding success in organizing and running the "ART OLYMPIA" Art Competition. The team has worked tirelessly to promote this remarkable event, which celebrates multiculturalism and global engagement within the DSC community. 

- Ms. Huang, ISP Director

This event provided a fantastic opportunity to recognize and appreciate the hard work and creativity that participants have poured into their art pieces. Their contributions have enriched our school community and highlighted the diversity that makes the DSC community so special.

Please find below the reflection from our student leaders:

Over the past few months, we as a team have been working on the project of hosting an art competition across the community (Art Olympia), and the art award ceremony is a testament to our success in using art as a tool to join diverse people together. Hosting the art award ceremony is my first and last in DSC, which was a remarkable experience, and I am so grateful for having this public speaking experience given by Ms Huang, The Director of International student Program. It was an opportunity to train up my teamwork, confidence and dedication skills. 

 

I remembered standing in front of the art competition recipients, Principal and teachers, despite feeling both nervous and excited, I manage to host the ceremony successfully. Looking at the art competition winners smiling happily with their certificates and gifts vouchers, I feel so fulfilled and proud, and cannot wait what they create next! 

- Christy K.

Serving as the MC for the first time at the ART OLYMPIA award ceremony was a thrilling and unforgettable experience for me. The excitement in the air was palpable as I stepped onto the stage, ready to announce the winners and celebrate their achievements. My nerves quickly settled as the familiar, smiling faces of my peers and teachers reassured me. The support I felt from the audience fuelled my confidence and enthusiasm, making the event flow smoothly.

 

The involvement of our college principal Mr. Morris and the facility manager Mr. Sprigg in distributing the award certificates and prizes. Their presence on stage added an extra layer of distinction and warmth to the event, underscoring the school's commitment to celebrating the artistic talents of its students. 

 

In addition, having my friend Christy as a co-MC made the event even more special for me. Her enthusiasm and partnership helped create an enjoyable and well-coordinated ceremony—also, Karl and Giorgio for the technical support, and Becky being the photographer.  Overall, the event was a true community affair, highlighting the strong support system within our school, which is crucial for nurturing and celebrating the diverse talents of our students. The combined efforts of everyone involved made my first experience as an MC not only successful but deeply memorable. 

- Venus F.

International Students Mathematics Mentoring Program 

The International Students Maths Mentoring Program is designed to create a supportive and collaborative environment for all international students. Led by two dedicated international students, Elly Te and Kyle Te, who are both A-grade Maths students, the program provides an excellent opportunity for participants to work through homework problems, prepare for tests, or simply improve their math skills.

Elly and Kyle have committed their time and effort to running this program every Tuesday afternoon after school this term, helping participants with a variety of mathematical challenges. 

Their dedication is truly inspiring, and their impact is evident in the progress of the students they mentor.

Here is a reflection from our Math Mentors:

Seeing new students enrol in our program has been incredibly rewarding. I've had the chance to help them learn about the academic systems and provide answers to their questions about the school throughout our weekly sessions. 

In our upcoming session, we aim to introduce the students to various shortcuts and tricks that can help them solve math problems more efficiently. We're excited to see how these strategies will enhance their mathematical intuition and overall performance.

International Student Learning Hub hosted Orientation Day

In Term 3 of 2024, we were delighted to welcome seven new international students, each bringing with them a wealth of enthusiasm, positivity, and a readiness to embark on their new educational journey. These students, hailing from China, South Korea, and Malaysia, have quickly become an integral part of our school community.

To ensure a smooth transition, our International Student Program organized a comprehensive Orientation Day, thoughtfully designed to introduce the students to their new environment. The day was filled with informative sessions and activities aimed at helping the students acclimate to the academic and social life at our school.

A special mention goes to our dedicated international student leaders and buddies, who have already been paired with the new students to provide ongoing support and friendship. Their commitment to welcoming these new members of our community is truly commendable and greatly appreciated.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Principal Glenn and Assistant Principal Belinda, who took the time to meet with these students and their family members, making them feel welcomed and valued.

The Orientation Day also included the first session of our Buddy Program, where local students had the opportunity to mingle with the new international students. It was heartwarming to witness the interactions, with students from different cultural backgrounds coming together, forming connections that will undoubtedly enrich their high school experience.

As we continue to support our international students, we are confident that they will thrive in their new environment, contributing to and benefiting from the diverse and inclusive community we are proud to foster.

We look forward to seeing these students grow and succeed in their academic and personal endeavours, with the continued support of our school’s dedicated staff and student leaders.

International Student Leaders hosting Buddy Program Sessions

We are delighted to welcome our new international students to the International Student Buddy Program for Term 3, 2024! A heartfelt thank you to all our volunteers for stepping up to be buddies and for providing a warm and supportive environment for our new international students.

The Buddy Program takes place every Thursday during lunchtime at the International Student Learning Hub. Our International Student Leaders, Elly T. and Venus F., host these sessions, guiding all participants through various activities designed to foster friendships and ease the transition for new students. This program offers an excellent opportunity for new students to connect with their buddies, ask questions, and learn more about school life and Australian culture.

Please find below reflections from our International Student Leaders:

This term, I had the pleasure of hosting the International Buddy Program to welcome new international students. Serving as the main host this term allowed me to implement my vision more directly and gain hands-on experience in managing all aspects of the program. This experience has solidified my understanding of effective program coordination and highlighted the importance of personalized interaction with each student.

 

It was both a challenging and rewarding experience, and I am passionate about making the program even better in the future. If given another opportunity, I am eager to make each session more engaging and impactful, ensuring that international students feel not only welcomed but also truly cherished and supported. 

- Venus F.

Hosting the Buddy Program at school for the first time has been an exciting experience for me. Although I was initially nervous, the support I received from the school and my teammate, Venues, gave me the confidence to take on this role. It has been incredibly satisfying to see how well everyone is getting along and how much they are enjoying the experience. I am grateful to be a part of this program, witnessing the connections grow and knowing that I have helped the new students adjust more smoothly. 

- Elly T.

Please find below reflections from our New International Student:

My buddy William is from China. He's in year 7, so he's younger than me, but he feels like a friend my age. He loves playing piano and badminton. He helped me find my way to classrooms and always says hi when he sees me. William is my first friend in Australia. 

- Chan K.

My buddy's name is Daniel. He's from Hong Kong and he's 15 years old. He enjoys playing basketball and volleyball. We have many shared interests; we both believe in Jesus and often have similar ideas. Daniel is a very funny and kind person. He has introduced me to many people from school and always helps me find my way to class when I'm lost. Now, we spend our free time together with our friends during recess and lunch. I'm glad to have met such a nice guy. 

- Issac UN.

My school buddies were Michelle and Jay. Michelle is from Fujian China and Jay is from South Korea, but she lived in China for around 5 years therefore she can fluently speak in Mandarin. Michelle joined this school in Year 9, and she knows how to play piano. Jay is in a music band and knows how to play electric guitar. Jay likes to play badminton, and her school locker is above mine. Both Jay and Michelle were really helpful in the first week of school. 

 

They showed me the classes I needed to go to and helped me with anything I needed. Jay sat with me for maths and humanities because I didn't have a textbook yet and I really enjoyed talking to both Jay and Michelle. They were very friendly, and they often waved at me whenever we passed by each other, which made me feel very welcomed. 

- Nelly L.

My buddy's name is Diana. She's in Grade 9 now and comes from Yunnan, China. This week, she has helped me a lot, like finding my classroom, answering my questions about school, and even taking me to buy a notebook. She also walked home with me for two days. I think she's a great person and I like her a lot. She enjoys playing basketball and football. I saw her watching a basketball game once. She's friendly and helpful. 

- Judy W.

Reading Program T3 2024

Our International team has continued to run our reading program for international students who need to improve their English skills. We have used learning materials from ELC and EAL class teachers to cater to their learning needs. Together, we support our international students’ learning at Doncaster Secondary School with our motto: "Working together, learning together."

During recess and lunchtime, students have been allocated time for one-on-one reading sessions. They read stories such as "Anna and Her Basketball Adventure" and "A Ship in a Storm." We use various learning tactics to help them understand the content and vocabulary of different stories. Sometimes, we use learning materials before their ELC and EAL classes start; other times, we read the materials after their classes. We also ask similar questions that they have been asked in class. For example:

1. Based on the short story, what is a gale?
2. Why do lighthouses use fog bells?
3. Why is it safer for a ship to be in a storm when it is far out at sea?

Our International team hopes that our international students have had positive learning experiences at DSC. We believe that our learning program will foster their growth and strength in future learning.

Ning Hong

International Student Program Assistant

Sally Huang

Director of International Student Program 

Doncaster Secondary College