International students usually feel at home in Melbourne quite quickly because they can find familiar food in shops, supermarkets and restaurants. The various ethnic communities are a source of newspapers and radio and television programs in various languages and international students can usually access these easily.

Orientation Program

Nhi spoke very little English on her arrival in Melbourne but after a one term intensive English Language Program she was able to enter the Special English Language Program and mainstream classes at Banksia to successfully undertake studies for the VCE.

The College accepts the responsibility for the education and safety of a large number of people each day. The approach to student management is based on the importance of the rights of all students to receive a quality education in a safe and co-operative environment.

After an extensive consultation process involving all members of the school community, an agreed College Welfare and Discipline Policy was adopted which recognises fairness and the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved. Consequently the College has adopted the assertive discipline model of the American educator, Lee Canter.

Boys -

Girls -

Students may choose to wear a long sleeved white, blue or maroon skivvy underneath the windcheater in the winter instead of the college polo shirt.

International students will be assisted to shop for their uniform upon their arrival.

In the winter you will need warmer clothes such as jumpers, warm socks and a rain coat.

Andry came to Australia last year from Indonesia. He was able to understand some English but was unfamiliar with teaching and learning styles here. He was placed in the Special English Language Program which has helped him, not only to improve his use of English in school subject based areas, but also to adjust to the demands of an Australian curriculum.

Andry says, "I think I'm ready for the VCE now. Being at Banksia has helped a lot. After that I want to study Architecture".

Banksia Secondary College is the English Language Centre for the northern suburbs of Melbourne. With expert staff and superb facilities, students are guaranteed the best opportunities to learn English in a friendly, supportive environment.

Tutoring Program

Banksia offers an after- school tutoring program to students from overseas who may be experiencing difficulties with work set during mainstream classes due to problems with English . The program is offered twice weekly from 3.30pm - 5.30pm and students are placed in groups of no more than three students who work on common problems with an experienced tutor.

Aides who speak other languages

In addition to the teaching staff at Banksia qualified Teaching Aides are also employed who speak languages other than English. Currently there is:

The main role of these aides is to give academic support to students in the classroom, tutoring as required and help the College maintain effective contact with parents.

Other members of the teaching staff speak Japanese, Indonesian, Greek, Italian, Polish and Arabic and are able to help students and parents in their own language if this is requested.

Banksia is a pioneer in the use and application of teaching and learning using multimedia and interactive technology. We have developed a presence on the Internet through our Home page and we integrate use of the Internet and Multi Media (CDROM) for research and data gathering across all learning areas and subjects.

We have various classrooms in the College which are equipped with student computers and our 20 Computer Multi Media and Internet Room is one of very few in Victoria. The fact that Computer Technology has such a high profile at Banksia encourages students to use innovative cross media researching and desktop publishing for the presentation of assessment tasks. These are invaluable skills which will stand them in good stead beyond school.

In core subjects our students develop Information Technology skills in Word Processing, Computer Graphics programs, and Data Base, Spreadsheet and Statistics methodology across the Curriculum. Students also learn Internet skills such as email, Internet searching, home page (HTML) design, Webchat and Video Conferencing. The school also uses advanced Digital Photography and image manipulation techniques for its own media classes, publications and publicity as well as for Internet attachment files in day-to-day communication on the Internet.

Other languages are available at neighbouring schools.