International Studies

Important Information for Overseas Students

cricos provider # 00969J

At Brisbane Adventist College (BAC) we welcome students from all over the world to participate in our learning experience. The International Program at BAC offers a wide range of experiences, and provides opportunities for positive relationships and personal development within the whole school community.

Our College is located on a tranquil 15 hectare site on the border of Mansfield and Wishart in the southern suburbs, and is situated just fifteen minutes drive by car from the centre of Brisbane.

Brisbane , the capital city of Queensland, is midway up the east coast of Australia. Brisbane is centrally located; with the Gold Coast only an hours drive by car to the south, and the Sunshine Coast only an hours drive to the north. Local attractions include Southbank, Stradbroke Island, and theme parks such as Australia Zoo, Dreamworld, Wet N Wild and Movie World.

BAC is noted for its caring Christian environment, its good pupil-teacher ratio, and its commitment to helping every child reach his or her full potential. The teachers at BAC are specialists in their respective teaching fields.

Brisbane Adventist College is a co-educational Christian college and offers State accredited education from Prep through to Year 12, helping students gain entry into universities and tertiary institutions.

Primary Educational Program Requirements

• The length of the school year is 40 weeks. Students are enrolled on a full-time basis, with a minimum of 20 contact hours per week.
• Class attendance for each term must be above 80% or the student’s registration will be terminated.
• Students are expected to attend our specialist English as a Second Language (ESL) classes daily.

Students are mainstreamed into regular classes with local students, where they study the following key learning areas; Religious Studies, English, Mathematics, Technology, Studies of Society and the Environment, Science, Health and Physical Education, and the Arts

Students may be offered an Individualised Educational Program (IEP) in circumstances where they require assistance with class work in the regular classroom. The compulsory Primary program commences in Prep and continues to Year 6 the final Primary Year. Seven years of full-time study are required to complete the Primary educational requirements.

Secondary Studies Educational Program

• The length of the school year is 40 weeks. Students are enrolled on a full-time basis, with a minimum of 20 contact hours per week. There are two semesters of two terms each, with school holidays in between.
• Class attendance for each term must be above 80% or the student’s registration will be terminated.
• Students are expected to attend our specialist English as a Second Language (ESL) classes every week.

Our Secondary studies program follows the State curriculum with the addition of Religious Studies, which is compulsory for all students. A selection of core and optional subjects is offered.

Core subjects for Years 7-10 include: Mathematics, English, Science, Physical Education, and Studies of Society and the Environment.

Core subjects for Years 11 and 12 include: English; and the study of Mathematics is strongly advised at one of the three levels offered.

All overseas students will be expected to attend at least one regular ESL class each week, as well as attend regular mainstream classes. Students who complete Year 12 will be awarded an Overall Position (OP) score. This score can be used to gain entrance to university or other tertiary/training institutions. It is generally expected that students will complete their Secondary studies in five years. There is no work-based training required to obtain an OP score.

Classes at both Primary and Secondary levels will occasionally involve excursions and field trips. Learning in the classroom is often teacher-directed; however, there are many instances where students will be assigned group-work and self-directed learning activities. Australian schools encourage student questioning.

Students will receive regular reports on their progress. Our Primary campus reports student learning outcomes at the end of each semester. Our Secondary campus grades its students according to their performance in class work, assignments and examinations. Students in Years 7-10 will receive an Interim report at the end of Term One as well as a full report at the end of Semesters One and Two. Students in Years 11 and 12 will receive a report at the end of every term, after every examination period.

Overseas Students’ Academic Requirements

Overseas students wishing to enrol in our Primary programs at Brisbane Adventist College will not be expected to have a minimum level of English proficiency. Our ESL courses can cater for children with no English competencies.

Overseas students wishing to enrol in our Secondary program, will have their application accepted once they have met a minimum English proficiency on the NLLIA Band scales. This level of English proficiency is essential for students to operate and academically succeed in mainstream classes. They are as follows:

* Special exemptions will be made for students going from BAC primary to BAC secondary

All students must provide original copies of all school and other provider reports (both overseas and local.

Academic qualifications, either local or overseas, must provide the student with core competencies that will allow for entry into the course they wish to complete (i.e. Primary Yrs 1-6, Junior Secondary Yrs 7-10 or Senior Yrs 11-12).

Our College provides academic and personal support to all overseas students in the following ways:

PRIMARY:

• Daily interaction with the ESL teacher, Mrs Di Till
• Learning intervention when necessary with Mrs Moorton
• Daily interaction with the mainstream class teacher
• The provision of individual learning programs when necessary
• Extension work for capable students, particularly Mathematics
• Interaction with the Student Contact Officer, Mrs Sherri Hattingh
• Language interpretation and translation services as and when required

SECONDARY:

• Regular classes and interaction with the ESL Teacher, Mrs Debbie Cosier
• Daily contact with the Form teacher each morning
• Interaction with Student Contact Officer, Mrs Natalie Venegas
• Interaction with Chaplain, Mr Andrew McCroskie and his assistant, Mr Bruce Myers, and with Mrs Carolyn Benard, library assistant
• Language interpretation and translation services when required
• Careers counselling

Enrolment is open to families of all faiths who have regard for the Christian ethos and culture of the school. We invite you to consider BAC and contact the Principal to discuss your children’s academic, spiritual, physical and social needs, and how we can help them reach their full potential.