International Students

Welcome to Fairhills High School.  My name is Sally Newnham and I am the Overseas Student Co-ordinator.  I work very closely with the Assistant Principal – Ms Karen Dean to provide a quality program for our international students.  I love my job as I am in daily contact with students from such countries as Germany, Japan, Brazil, Vietnam, Kenya and China.  Currently we have 8 international students at our school and we greatly appreciate the cultural enrichment these students bring to the whole school community. 

About Us:

Fairhills High School is a medium sized co-educational school of approximately 870 students, situated in a safe, caring environment near the picturesque Dandenong Ranges. Our school is close to the commercial and civic centres of the City of Knox and a large shopping and entertainment complex

Public Transport

Our school is serviced by several bus routes and is approximately 45 minutes from the centre of the city of Melbourne by train

Ethos

Our ethos is to provide a quality education for students across the full ability range with the curriculum focussed on excellence and success for all students

The happiness and well being of your child is of paramount importance to us.

Orientation

To ensure that your son/daughter has a smooth transition into the Fairhills High School Community we provide the following services:

  • Airport pick up and transfer
  • Assistance with banking
  • Assistance with purchasing books, uniform etc,
  • School tour with the international student leader and student mentor
  • Interviews with the year Level Co-ordinator and school Principal.

Homestays

A homestay is full board accommodation with a family, couple or single adult with a set weekly fee of (AUD) $210 depending on facilities, services and location. To assist the student’s cultural adjustment and to support their community and social integration experienced and caring host families, who understand and respect cultural differences, are chosen to provide a nurturing home environment promoting physical and emotional well being and the development of good study habits.  Host families are also made aware of the culinary tastes of Asian students i.e.: lots of salads, rice, noodles and vegetables etc.

We ensure that English is spoken at home and that no two students of the same nationality live together

The School Experience

The Overseas Student Co-ordinator, ESL staff, Student Counsellor and Careers Counsellor work with other supportive and caring staff to provide our international students with ongoing counselling and advice regarding academic, personal and social issues. The students’ progress is monitored through small group and individual sessions on a regular basis.

 

We maximise academic potential by providing:

  • Extensive ESL support in small groups on site at all year levels by qualified, caring staff
  • A comfortable and spacious School Learning Resource Centre with excellent resources such as computers where students can access the internet at no cost, microwave, coffee making facilities.
  • Interim Reports each term and Semester Reports with detailed comments in the required language
  • Specialist Tutors
  • Class Mentors – usually local students who ensure that students are aware of deadlines regarding submission of work etc.
  • Thorough preparation of students for tertiary study and advice on subject selection and career options.  For example: MIPS (Managed Individual Pathways Strategy Program) at Year 10

 

To foster a sense of belonging we encourage the students to participate in the following activities:

  • International Students’ Excursions
  • Celebration of students’ birthdays
  • Extra-curricular activities such as

i)                    Rock Eisteddford

ii)                  Performing Arts Festival

iii)                Musical Productions

iv)                 Sporting Clubs

v)                   Athletics Carnival

vi)                 School Camps – Year 10 Queensland Trip

-                              Sovereign Hill Excursion

                          Phillip Island Penguin parade and Koala

                          Sanctuary

                          Year 12 Study Skills Camp at Ballarat

vii)               Education Night Cultural Presentations

viii)             International Food Fest

ix)                Year 11 Debutante Ball.

 Our international students are also encouraged to accept positions of responsibility – such as that of International Student Leader and to improve their English communications skills by writing articles about teenage issues in our ESL newsletter.

 

At Fairhills High School we aim to not only cater for our students’ academic needs but to equip them for life.

School Achievements

  • 1st place winners in the Premier Division of the Rock Eisteddford
  • One of the top sporting schools in Melbourne
  • Rewarding exchange Program with Germany and Japan

 

Photo Gallery

          Principal Class and Overseas Student Co-ordinator                       Student Mentor

         

   

 

 

    International Student                International Student                             

            Tutor                                          Reception                      

 

  

                    International Student Leader

                              at Mayoral Reception

 

 

 

 

  Year 10 Queensland Trip

 


 

Please direct any enquiries to Mrs Sally Newnham - Director of International Programs at Fairhills High School or the International Student Unit at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Victoria (international@edumail.vic.gov.au)

Email:  newnham.sally.f@edumail.vic.gov.au

Fairhills High School Administration Phone Number:  (03)9758-5022

Cricos Provider: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

Cricos Code:  00861K