Victorian government schools are a destination of choice for international students. Our schools provide international students with a high-quality education, excellent English language tuition, caring welfare support services, secure homestay, and pathways to higher education. To learn more about studying and living in Victoria as an international student, see: www.study.vic.gov.au
Local area
Viewbank College is a co-educational government secondary college approximately 17 kilometres from the Melbourne city centre. Located close to a range of native flora and fauna reserves with attractive school grounds, the college is close to Latrobe University, shopping centres, banking, medical and entertainment amenities. The school is serviced by regular train lines and bus routes with easy access to Melbourne.
School facilities
Our College has excellent facilities including home rooms for Year 7 classes, state-of-the-art information technology and quality support for the 1:1 laptop program. Viewbank College has a new Performing Arts Centre which has both Music and Drama facilities for classroom teaching, as well as new Mathematics classrooms and a total new fit-out of the Science area. The new arts area encompasses a “maker’s space” for our Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) program. Viewbank also has outstanding facilities, including the VCE Centre, an impressive oval, basketball courts and soccer field, which enhance the opportunities for students to perform at their best.
International Student Program
Viewbank College welcomes Years 7-12 international students from across the world. At our College, we are proud of our International Student Program. Our international students contribute to the multicultural diversity we enjoy. In recent years, we have welcomed international students from China, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, India, and South America. Families select our college for its academic standards and reputation.
Co-curricular activities
Viewbank College has a number of co-curricular activities that assist international students to fit into a different culture and education system, as well as building up supportive relationships with both teachers and students, including:
- musical instrument tuition and performance
- College production and drama performances
- sporting program
- debating and public speaking
- lunchtime activities program
- sister school exchange trips to Germany and Japan
Special programs
Students benefit from the following special programs:
- a range of STEAM programs
- extension opportunities in Mathematics and Science
- Information Technology and Media Studies
- Japanese and German languages
- English as an Additional Language (EAL) support
- homework clubs in Mathematics/Science and English/Humanities
- student leadership program
- pastoral care and student counselling support
- College nurse
- work experience program
- respectful relationships program.
English language support
Prior to entering mainstream classes, students can study an intensive English language classes at an English Language centre located 4 kilometres from Viewbank College.
Most Years 7–9 international students join mainstream classes for all their studies, unless intensive English language classes are required. We have found this the best way to help students quickly improve their English and to become part of the college community. However, students receive an additional 3 lessons per week of English as an Additional Language (EAL), where they work in small groups to develop language skills and be assisted with classwork.
Separate EAL classes occur at Years 10 – 12. In these small classes, senior students can develop their English language skills to a higher level. There are also after-school homework sessions taught by teachers to help with English, humanities, mathematics and science subjects.
We offer Japanese and German onsite. Students can study their first language as part of their Victorian Certificate of Education through the Victorian School of Languages (VSL) at no extra charge, see: www.vsl.vic.edu.au. Alternatively, the collect may approve study with a registered third-party provider. These classes are held outside of normal school hours.
Assessment and reports
All international students will receive interim, mid-year and end-of-year reports. Student/parent/teacher discussions are held twice a year over two days, to allow parents and carers to attend interviews with teachers. Interviews can be booked online via Compass. Assessment methods are outlined in the school handbook for all year levels.