WELC Report
Message from the
International and WELC Coordinator -
Ms Debby Morgan
I would like to welcome back our returning students. I would also like to give a huge welcome to all our new students. With the Australian border finally opening, the Language Centre is happy to be able to see many students back in-person!
We currently have about 33 students and welcomed new students from Afghanistan, Myanmar, China, Vietnam and Thailand. The students have all settled in really well to their new school and it is lovely to see their smiling faces every morning. During the first week, students participated in different getting-to-know-you activities including a race around the school to familiarise themselves with Westall.
Our students study for about 6 months in the Language Centre, completing an intensive English Language program. We hope that all students work hard and use the time in the Language Centre well so they can improve their English and be prepared for mainstream school. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and learn about Australia and I hope they enjoy it! Our team of teachers at WELC is excited to be there at the start of their journey in Australia and are always available if they need any help or support.
This term the students will be participating in two electives. Some students will do cooking class with Ms Chow while others will do an ICT project with Ms Tetoros. You will be able to see some photos of the students in these classes in this newsletter.
Miss Debby Morgan
International and WELC Coordinator
First Impressions
Here are some first impressions from some of Group 1 students about their first few days at the Westall English Language Centre.
Joyce
My first week at Westall English Language Centre was fantastic. The teachers here are friendly and the classmates here are also polite and outgoing. Although I am not good at English now, I hope that I can improve my English quickly. I think the school is a great place and I hope I can have a good experience in the next 6 months.
Ann
The study life in WELC is more relaxed and easier than in China. In this week, I made lots of Chinese friends and friends from other countries. I enjoyed the days in my first week of school. I am really looking forward for the future and study life here.
Hannah
This is my 3rd term at WELC. When I went to school this term, I felt a little bit tired and excited. On my first day, I met many new students that come from many different countries. I was so glad that I met so many international students this term. Last term, many students studied online so I couldn’t meet them and because of COVID, they all stayed in their countries, so I really wanted to meet them in Australia. There wasn’t much learning in the first week of school because there were many new students and they had to be tested. We did many different activities this week and I am looking forward to next week.
An Rou
In the first week at WELC, we did English and Math test and I made a lot of friends from different countries. I think this week was very interesting.
Shirley
In November 2021, I went to WELC and I didn’t know how to speak with other students and I was very nervous. I sat in Ms Debby’s office and filled in a form. After my test I saw two girls who smiled at me and said ‘hello’. They brought me around the school and showed me around. I felt very cheerful. The 2 girls were lovely and helpful. Everyone here is friendly and when I need help they would help me. The teachers are also very good. They teach us new words and make our English better. I love the time in WELC. In this school, students speak different languages but they help each other.
WELC Cooking Elective
For our first cooking session this term, WELC students made ‘Milky Apricot Truffles.’ The students learnt how to follow a recipe and measure ingredients correctly. The students had fun making them and enjoyed eating them at the end of the class.
Ms Esther Chow
WELC Teacher