More information about Canberra Government Schools Add
Government schooling in Canberra is leading the way in preparing young people for the opportunities and challenges of life in the 21st century. With one of the best government education systems in the country, government school students consistently rate as the best educated in Australia and among the brightest in the world. An international education in Canberra sets students apart from their peers and creates pathways to success in whatever direction they choose.
About Us
Canberra - Australia's capital - is a safe and beautiful city set around the magnificent Lake Burley Griffin. A safe and multicultural city, Canberra is also known by its official name of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The Canberra region is respected throughout the world for its concentration of educational and academic institutions. Both the Australian National University (ANU) and University of Canberra are in the ACT. As a smaller city, Canberra is able to offer a more personalised service to international school students.
Student Services
The International Education Unit arranges accommodation for international students over 15 years old. Students are placed with Canberra families - a wonderful way for students to experience Australian culture and improve their English. Alternatively, students can stay with relatives approved by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Students under 15 years of age must stay with a relative approved by DIAC. International students in Canberra government schools receive a high level of care.
Each school has an International Private Student (IPS) coordinator and the ACT Department of Education and Training provides a dedicated pastoral care officer who monitors students' health and wellbeing.
Officers from the Department's International Education Unit are on 24-hour emergency call to assist international students. All schools have access to the best possible information and communications technology.
Courses
- ACT Year 10 Certificate
- ACT Year 12 Certificate
- Australian Tertiary Admission Rank
- certificates in Vocational Education
- International Baccalaureate.
School levels
- primary school (pre-school to Year 6)
- junior secondary school (Years 7-10)
- senior secondary colleges (Years 11-12).
Advantages of the ACT senior secondary college system
Students complete Years 11 and 12 of their schooling at a senior secondary college that boasts world-class facilities and caters to the specialised academic, cultural and sporting needs of senior students. Students are assessed through continuous school-based assessment. There are no examinations set by a central authority for any subject.
ANU Secondary College
Students in ACT government schools have access to the ANU Secondary College, which offers extension programs for gifted and talented students in maths, physics, chemistry, biology and some languages.
Introductory English Centres (IECs)
The Department has specialised English centres for students who arrive in Canberra with no, or very limited, English language skills. Students can attend an English centre for a few weeks or for several months, according to their individual needs.
Special interest and study abroad programs
Canberra has special programs for study abroad students who are interested in a unique Australian experience. Students receive recognition for this study in their home country. Examples of some units include surfing, canoeing, scuba diving, rock climbing, snowboarding and white water rafting. Study abroad programs may be extended to enable students to complete their secondary education in Canberra.
Short-term study tours
Short-term education programs provide groups or individual school-age visitors from other countries with the opportunity to attend school with Australian students and study English. Students experience Australian culture and lifestyle first-hand at school, whilst building on their English language skills.
All of these reasons make Australia's capital city the perfect place for the overseas school student to begin their international education experience.
Locations
Canberra
Canberra, The Australian Capital Territory, 2620
Student Profiles
Justin Do (Truong Do), Vietnam
Year 12, Narrabundah College
2011 is my fourth year in Canberra, Australia. I firstly went to Gold Creek School for Year 9 and Year 10 and currently studying in Year 12 at Narrabundah College. Being an international student, and living in a very different environment in the last four years, I have learnt so much in life and my experiences have been invaluable. Studying overseas was a really hard decision for me to make at first. This meant I would have to live away from my family and face a lot of challenges on my own. However, after arriving in Australia, I soon found it was not as difficult as I had first thought. My family and I often communicate by phone and the internet so I did not miss them too much. School work was not as difficult as it could have been if you work hard consistently. Great support from the teachers and the International Education Unit have always been there for me when I have needed it. I believe coming to Australia was the biggest and best decision I have ever made up to now. So far, I have achieved all my expectations and reached most of the goals I set for myself, and won the Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievement in the High School Years. I believe that I have made the right choice to come to study with Canberra Government Schools. I really hope in the future that many more overseas students come to discover, to grow, and to experience life in one of the world's best education systems here in Canberra.
