International Students

Hume Central Secondary College has been part of the Department of Education and Training International Student Program since its introduction. We have had many overseas students enrol at the College from a variety of countries including Germany, Thailand, India, Vietnam and China. International students work towards completing their VCE and are supported to apply for University entry. International Students add to the culture of the College demonstrating an effective positive work ethic, effective study skills and self-discipline towards their learning.

Hume Central Secondary College is accredited under the Department of Education and Trainings CRICOS registration (CRICOS provider name and code: Department of Education and Training, 00861K). For further information refer towww.study.vic.gov.au

The following are some of the subjects that Hume Central Secondary College offers at Year 10 to VCE (for a complete list of all the subjects offered click here):

• 3D Art
• Accounting
• Business
• Chemistry
• Dance
• Drama
• Food Technology

• Geography
• Human Rights
• Interactive Digital Media
• Media
• Music
• Outdoor Education

• Physical Education
• Physics
• Psychology
• Science
• Student Arts
• Visual Communication

To keep you best informed regarding international students progress at Hume Central Secondary College, parents and homestay families can log into the Compass Parent Portal.

Using the College Parent Portal, you will be able to access the following:

• Your childs Semester and Progress Reports
• View up to date class and College attendance information
• Download, print and approve upcoming excursions
• Update your email and mobile phone numbers
• Access information regarding upcoming events and news.

To apply for enrollment as an International Student you will need to complete the Department of Education and Training (DET) Application Form. Application forms are available on the International Student Program Unit website: http://www.study.vic.gov.au

Students who wish to study at Hume Central Secondary College can write school preferences on the application form.

For further information about the application process, please contact:

Department of Education and Training – International Education Division
E-mail: international@education.vic.gov.au
Street address: 41 St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3002
Postal address: GPO Box 4367, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3001
Tel: +61 3 9637 2990
Fax: +61 3 9637 2184 / +61 3 9651 4424

If you have questions about the Hume Central Secondary College International Program, please see details on this website or contact:

Mr. Nicholas Bakatsoulas
International Student Manager
Email: Nicholas.Bakatsoulas@education.vic.gov.au
Tel: +61 3 9099 1000

Homestay provides the students with the opportunity to be away from home in another country and a great way to feel that you belong.

Settling in, learning a new language and finishing their studies can be hard when students arrive in a foreign country. Having the support of another family and a connection to the local community can make all the difference. Homestay in Australia will help students adjust quickly to their new life.

The school has guardianship of the students and endeavors to make sure their happy in their homestay arrangement.

The Homestay family also takes the responsibility of the students safety and wellbeing. The idea is for the student to enjoy their homestay experience. Provide opportunities for extra-curricular and social activities, but also make sure that theyre home at a reasonable hour and spending enough time doing study and homework.

It is important that the International Students make their own friends. This will involve encouraging the student to become involved with the broader community, not just the school.

Homestay will allow the student to be introduced to a new network of friends and family, local community events and activities. Its a completely different experience to boarding school, where your community tends to be inside the school.

Unlike other accommodation options, homestay gives the International Student the chance to fully immerse themselves in another culture and language.

The host family will become like a second family. Theyll introduce the student to their family and friends, involve them in their day-to-day activities and show you around them around the local area. The student will soon see that the homestay family wants to learn from the student, get to know them and understand their culture.

Homestay families are selected according to a clear set of criteria and the needs, preferences and expectations of individual students. This will include home visits, police checks/working with children check and ongoing correspondence to check on the progress in the home of the International Student.

Homestay families come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. For example, there are:

• families with children the students age
• single older people
• families with young children
• older couples whose children have grown up and left home.

A school representative regularly visits the homes of our homestay families to make sure the accommodation is comfortable and of a high standard for:

• living and relaxing
• doing homework
• bringing friends over
• sharing in family life.

All homestay providers are interviewed to check how well they can look after an international student. This includes making sure that everyone in the household over 18 years of age has a Working with Children Check from the government.

Schools:

• visit homestay families at least once a semester
• invite families to school events and activities so theyre a part of your school community
• involve the homestay family in helping students settle into your studies
• do an annual review of all homestay families to make sure theyre meeting our high standards of care but also the school is meeting the needs of the International Student and the family.

If you have any further questions on the above information please feel free to contact the College.