internationally speaking...

Georgi Pryor

International Student Program Coordinator

On Tuesday 20 March, Maggie Tang and myself attended a welcome morning tea for 400 newly commenced international students and their teachers from government and non-government schools at Government House.

The Hon. Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria and Mr Anthony Howard QC, hosted the event for the Department of Education..  The Honourable Linda Dessau AC  is the 29th Governor of Victoria and the first female in the role. 

The Governor told the students they should feel at home in Victoria. 

"You have come to the state in Australia with the largest number of international students, from over 90 countries, studying in more than 500 Victorian primary and secondary schools,"  the Governor said.

"And in coming to Victoria, you have come to a diverse State – almost half of us were born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas."

Last year’s Victorian International School Student Award recipient, former Wellington Secondary College student Sovann Eu, delivered a speech sharing his thoughts on how his teachers and fellow students made his transition into Victorian education system and lifestyle stress free and smooth.

“The teachers assisted me in easing into classes and the local students helped me understand the amount of support my school provided. I believe that each and every teacher, staff, or student in Victorian schools are all willing to communicate with and help us,” Sovann said.

It was a great opportunity for myself and Maggie to represent Brunswick Secondary College and to meet other International students and school representatives. 

Maggie Tang

Year 10

It was my honor to represent my school to attend the Governer of Victoria morning tea day.

At that day, the Victoria government and international student made the presentation. It was really encouraging and inspiring. And the coffee and desserts were nice. Thanks school to choose me to join the morning tea.