FAQs

Do you accept international students (not AU citizens or PR)?

We generally accept International Students usually from Year 11. Most International students are required to do 6 months in a language centre before entry, however if they have an IELTS score of 5 to 6 then they can start immediately. International students are required to apply through an educational agent. More information regarding enrolment into public schools in Victoria can be found on the following website; www.study.vic.gov.au. This website will give you information regarding how to find an educational agent, fees, how to enrol, etc.

 

Do the kids need to take entrance exam?

This is not required, however if your children enter a language centre then they may have a number of tests to complete throughout their time.

 

How many students are there for each grade (e.g. grade 9 & 10)?

Buckley Park College has around 160 students per year level, class sizes are no larger than 25. These students come from a range of backgrounds, some are new residents to the country however most have been born in Australia. Currently there are International Students from Korea, China and Vietnam in varying year levels- we have had German students previously.

 

I heard that the available seats in many schools are very limited, what's the situation in your school? How much probability do you see that my kids can be accepted by your school for 2015?

This is very difficult to answer as enrolment numbers can fluctuate from the middle of the year until the end of term. The best process is to apply via the International Education Division (website above). When a Government school receives that application then they will look at positions available. Guidelines do not permit us to make promises without an application form.

 

Since the school year starts in Jan. in AU, do you suggest we repeat half year?

Because students will be educated solely in English then it is preferable for them to start at the beginning of the year if entering Year 11 but can start middle of the year if in lower year levels. However this may depend on their age at the time of application as well as their academic ability. All of this is processed by the International Education Division before it comes to the College.

 

I failed to find the information reg. cost. Can you help to provide such info (e.g. tuition, etc.)?

http://www.study.vic.gov.au/deecd/schools-in-victoria/apply/school-fees.cfmThis fee schedule is the same for all Victorian Government schools. The fees can range in amounts depending on the length of time you intend to study. You will also need to budget for books, uniform and a VCE administration fee.

 

Do you provide accommodation support (e.g. manage home stay program, or provide boarding facilities)? And what about the cost?

The basic homestay fee is $270 per week as well as a further $10 per week internet fee. Parents need to also budget for books, school materials and uniform. Some (compulsory year level) camps are covered in the school fee payment, however the family may need to pay for excursions which occur from time to time. In VCE (Year 11 and 12) there is an additional administration charge.

 

Can international students represent the school in competitions?

The school participates in a number of sporting, debating and musical competitions. In previous years we have had a number of International Students participate in a range of sporting teams at the College. In particular we had a boy from Xian swim for the school and was third in his division in the State, a German student played in a band for the Prime minister and a Vietnamese student won a State prize for debating..

 

What are the biggest challenges for them do you see?

Each child is different but generally the major challenges are; language, educational/ teaching style differences, adjusting to cultural differences and homestay life and making friends. Buckley Park College has a number of strategies and programs to support International Students and try and make the adjustment as smooth and as easy as possible.

 

If we will send them to your school, do you have any suggestion about how/what they need to prepare in advance?

Most students go to a Language Centre (the College uses the Language Centre at Essendon Keilor as it is only 2kms from our College) and during that time the school starts to implement a number of transition programs to help make adjustment to College life easier including school visits, excursions, orientation programs. In my experience students from Germany have a level of English that means that they are not likely to need to enter a Language Centre and usually start at the College.

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