Language/International News
Mr Yeong Gwon - Head of Department Languages and International
2025 End of Year Celebration for International Students
As the year draws to a close, we gathered to farewell some of our international students who are departing for various reasons: some are completing their short-term study abroad programs, others are transferring to new schools, and many are graduating. All international students, together with their homestay families and DHA parents, were invited to celebrate their achievements throughout 2025.
This year, our students engaged in a wide range of experiences. During Harmony Week, they shared powerful personal stories and created lotus flower artworks, a symbol of resilience. They attended workshops and information sessions with TAFE and QUT to explore future pathways. On Movie Day, they learned about Australian culture, language, and slang through an Australian film. Many volunteered as buddies for visiting study tours from Japan and Taiwan. In addition, they actively participated in various subject-based activities and broader school events.
A particularly meaningful part of the evening was hearing from three international students who shared their personal journeys:
- Lilly – “My First Year at The Gap SHS”
- Brian – “Improving Academic Achievement”
- Merlin – “Graduating Student”
Their stories provided valuable insights and encouragement for fellow international students, helping others learn from their experiences.
One of the highlights of the night was the formal recognition of student achievements. Together with their families, we celebrated their dedication and success. Awards were presented in the following categories:
- Academic Excellence Award – for exemplary academic performance across all subjects
- Outstanding Contribution Award – for significant contributions to the school or wider community
- Academic Growth Award – for remarkable improvement and commitment to learning
Congratulations to our 2025 award recipients:
- Academic Growth Award: Brian Tan
- Outstanding Contribution Award: Michael Che
- Academic Excellence Award: Jumi Nguyen
The celebration concluded with the singing of our farewell song, Matilda, followed by a shared dinner and dessert with students and their families.
A special thank-you to Mrs Ion and Mrs Suzuki, who prepared the dinner and dessert for our students and their families.
We also shared upcoming opportunities for 2026, including the homestay information session, Elevate study skills programs for EAL/D students, social sports, the international student camp, and more.
We wish all our students the very best in their future endeavours.
