INTERNATIONAL

Victorian Global Learning Awards winners 2019

Andia Latifi Meybodi - Year 12 Global Citizenship Award

Andia Latifi Meybodi is a global citizen who willingly shares her Middle Eastern background, and in particular her love of her home country Iran and Persian language and culture. In doing so, she is able to dispel many views that are held of people from Middle Eastern countries. She has made a significant difference to the school through her leadership, advocacy for respect and her multicultural values. In Year 11, Andia was the recipient of two Victorian Global Learning awards, one for Community Engagement and another for Global Citizenship. Participating in the Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars Program enabled Andia, as one of Brighton Secondary College’s international leaders, to incorporate charitable ideas within the school. It also allowed her to participate in charity events outside of school, such as feeding the homeless and raising money for the Great Barrier Reef.

Wai Tsun (Ian) Lam - Year 12 Student Leadership Award

Wai Tsun (Ian) Lam has worked hard as a student leader to make an impact at his school. During his time at Brighton Secondary College, Ian joined the International Student Committee and was appointed to the prestigious position of International Liaison in 2018 where he welcomed all new students, planned and promoted the annual International Week program and organised the Year 12 students for their final Graduation Assembly. Ian developed initiatives such as the Clean and Green anti-litter campaign, an international band and a food donation drive for the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre. Ian surprised the school by preparing a unique Year 12 farewell video and accompanying speech to inspire and motivate students to follow their dreams and pursue careers that they are passionate about.

Zheng (Jenny) Tang & Sam Liu: Homestay Family of the Year Award - Government School

Zheng (Jenny) Tang and Sam Liu are exemplary homestay parents. Jenny and Sam have welcomed international students at Brighton Secondary College into their home for 16 years. Jenny and Sam volunteer at school events and activities including graduation ceremonies and greet new students at the airport. They organise social events for the school community and attend parent/teacher briefings. Jenny and Sam understand the challenges faced by new arrivals to Victoria and happily provide advice and support to parents who have recently joined the school community by providing transport, translation of documents, help with finding housing and obtaining driver’s licences. Jenny and Sam have built a strong reputation at the school and past students regularly comment about how happy they were to have lived with them.