WELC & International Student Reports

Message from the International Coordinator and WELC Coordinator 

WELC Update

We are nearing the end of a very busy term. We currently have 59 students enrolled in our program from a total of 12 different countries. At the end of this term 21 students will move on to their mainstream school. These students have completed transition activities and will be given their exit certificate at a graduation ceremony on Friday. We wish these students all the best at their new schools! They have worked hard over the last 6 months or year and have made big improvements with their English and we hope they continue to improve and develop their confidence in their English skills.

This week will be the last week of Swimming lessons for the 20 students attending this term. Students have learnt valuable skills about floating, using a board to swim and different swimming techniques. This week they will learn what to do if they fall into water when wearing normal clothes. All these experiences are extremely useful for our students. We encourage them to continue to learn swimming once these classes are done.

In Week 7, all WELC students went for an excursion to Bounce. Students had a wonderful time participating in all the different activities including trampolines, rock climbing wall and high ropes course. Students also participated in a team activity in the afternoon, testing their general knowledge and problem-solving skills. 

Many of our WELC students have participated in interschool sports with the Westall Secondary team. This includes Badminton, Futsal and the Kingston Athletics. Other students have started learning an instrument in the Westall instrumental music program. We encourage all WELC students to get involved with the different clubs and activities around Westall in order to meet new people and develop new skills. It’s also a wonderful way to practice your English in a different environment.

We will have two weeks’ holiday from Saturday 20 September. We wish all our students and families a safe and relaxing break and look forward to seeing students back at school on Monday 6 October.

Ms Debby Morgan 

WELC Coordinator

WELC Bounce Excursion

Our WELC students recently enjoyed an exciting excursion to Bounce, where they had the opportunity to build confidence, teamwork, and communication skills in a fun and energetic environment. Students participated in various activities, including trampolining, climbing, and obstacle challenges, while practicing their English in real-life situations. It was a wonderful day filled with laughter, learning, and new friendships!

Namila Wanniarachchi

WELC Teacher

WELC Group 4 Creative Animal Reports

For science this term, group 4 students (Level C1.2), completed a unit on animal report writing. One of their tasks was to create a strange looking animal and write a report about the animal and include a picture. Below are samples of students’ work.

The Birsh

The birsh is a strange looking animal. It has a head like a fish and a body like a bird. It has green feathers on its body. The birsh has four front flippers and two short back legs.

The birsh lives in the Coral Reef and in the Rainforest. On hot days, it swims in the Coral Reef. It can swim very fast with its flippers. On cold days, the birsh likes to stay in the Rainforest. It runs slowly with its short legs.

The birsh is a herbivore. It eats many different plants. The birsh lives for 10 years.

The Ficken

The ficken is a strange looking animal. It has a head like a chicken and a body like a fish. It has scales on its body. The ficken has two front flippers and two legs like a chicken.

The ficken lives in the ocean and in the rainforest. It can swim very fast and can run very fast with its long legs.

The ficken is a carnivore. It eats meat and fish.

The ficken lives for 50 years.

The Birfly

The birfly is a strange looking animal. It has wings like a butterfly and a body like a bird. The birfly has a slender beak and feathered torso. Its wings are large, colourful butterfly-like wings and it has two legs like a bird.

The birfly lives in the forest, where there are streams that provide it with amples to perch and spaces to fly.

The birfly is an omnivore. It eats insects and nectar.

The birfly lives for 26 years.

Ms Anna Kotsiou

WELC Teacher 

WHY IS WESTALL ENGLISH LANGUAGE CENTRE a great place to study in?

The Westall English Language Centre at Westall Secondary College officially started in 1990. Since then, the Centre has enrolled and worked with an increasing number of students from varied backgrounds of learning, ages and cultures. The current number of students is 60 students and there are eight English Language teachers including Ms Debby Morgan who is the Coordinator of the Centre.

 Students in Group 2 were asked to give their opinions on what aspects they enjoyed during their studies in the Centre.

 “The WELC students must be speaking in English in class, to practise our English.” (Indonesia)

“The teachers were kind to me, helped and taught me English. I can do many activities such as Cooking elective. My teachers explain me until I could understand.” (Thailand)

“Teachers are very friendly who always make some fun activities for students to join, relax and it also helps students improve their skills.” (Vietnam)

“WELC has a very nice Education system and a very nice learning environment with great teachers. We can also study in the library.” (China)

“WELC gives every student a locker to keep their stuff safe and not be stolen. WELC have school activities for new students which is swimming at Monash University and Reading Club and Revision Club.” (Cambodia)

“WELC is a great place to start your studies because you can work and study hard with teachers. I learned so many good habits, also my responsibility, my focus on my study and care about my learning. In the library you find what you need, and it is not only English, but also for Science and Maths.” (Afghanistan)

The impressions and opinions from our current Group 2 students in WELC are certainly encouraging, especially acknowledging both the teachers, the activities and the WELC learning environment. 

Stephanie Sutton

WELC Teacher 

International Student Program 

As Term 3 comes to a close, we’d like to take a moment to celebrate the achievements and special moments our international students have shared this term. We are so proud of how our students continue to balance study, wellbeing, and community life.

August Birthday Celebration

In August, we gathered to celebrate the birthdays of our international students born during the month. Everyone enjoyed cake and treats, and it was a lovely way to pause during a busy term to recognise our students’ special days. These celebrations remind us that being far from home doesn’t mean missing out on important milestones — our school community is here to share in the joy.

Year 12 Wellness Workshop – Week 6: Animal Incursion

In Week 6, our Year 12 students took part in a wellness workshop featuring an animal incursion. Students had the opportunity to meet a range of fascinating creatures and learn interesting facts from Wild Action handler. The session was not only informative but also interactive — students were encouraged to engage with the animals up close. A few brave volunteers even held snakes, lizards, and other wild animals, impressing their peers with their courage! This unique experience gave students a break from their studies and a chance to connect with nature in a memorable way.

Year 12 Wellness Workshop – Week 8: Mindfulness and Lunch

Later in the term, the Wellbeing Team hosted a mindfulness session for our Year 12 students. The practice focused on relaxation, stress management, and staying present, which was especially valuable as students prepare for exams. After the guided session, everyone shared lunch together and was provided with a chance to bond as a group. These wellness sessions remind students that looking after their mental health is just as important as preparing academically.

Important Notices for Parents and Guardians

Please take note of the following updates and reminders:

Important Reminder: Part-Time Work Rules

International students must follow Department of Home Affairs visa rules when it comes to part-time work. Please read carefully:

• If you are working outside school hours: You must provide a written statement with parental consent, confirming that your family understands the visa conditions and potential risks of working while studying.

• If you are not working: You must complete a No Work Declaration to confirm this.

   

⚠️ Please note: If students are found to be dishonest about their work situation, there will be serious consequences that may affect both visa status and school enrolment. Always be honest and check with the school if you’re unsure about your work situation.

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.

We wish all our international students a restful and safe holiday break. Thank you for your hard work and contributions to our school community this term — we look forward to seeing you back in Term 4!

Ms Summer Bao

International Coordinator