International Students at BAC

Information for Overseas Students

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Brisbane Adventist College (BAC) welcomes students from all over the world. We offer both short-term and long-term courses for students from overseas. The short-term opportunities for international students include exchange programmes, short-term stays and tour groups. The long-term International Programme at BAC offers a wide range of involvement; providing opportunities for positive relationships and academic development within the whole school community.

Our College is located on a tranquil 15 hectare site and enjoys large playing fields and a leafy green corridor. It is situated on the border of Mansfield and Wishart in the southern suburbs of Brisbane, just fifteen minutes drive by car from the centre of Brisbane. The public transport network around BAC is excellent and the school also has a comprehensive private bus system.

Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, is midway up the east coast of Australia. It is considered a very safe city and has a population of a little over one million people. Local attractions include Southbank Parklands, lookouts and botanical gardens, museums, art galleries, centres for performing arts and great shopping. The Gold and Sunshine Coasts are only one hour's drive from Brisbane.

BAC has been providing caring Christian education for over 30 years and is noted for providing a warm family environment. It is a medium-sized, co-educational school of only 600 or so students. The teachers at BAC are specialists in their respective teaching fields and have a committment to helping each child reach their full potential. Learning in the classroom is often teacher-directed; however, there are many instances where students do group work and self-directed learningn activites. Student questioning and independent thinking are encouraged.

The school offers state-accredited education from Prep to Year 12. BAC Primary students receive reports of their learning outcomes at the end of each semester. BAC Secondary assesses students according to their performance in classwork, assignments and examinations. Students in Junior Secondary 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 the Senior Secondary programme receive reports at the end of every semester, have access to their course progress after every examiniation period, and can seek academic advice at any time of the year.

"Our chief aim is to help students develop personally and academically; eventually entering into universities, TAFE and apprenticeships, and acquiring an optimistic, values-based outlook on life," says Principal Mr Jack Ryan.

BAC's experienced ESL instructors have an excellent record in helping international students reach English profiency and perform successfully in main stream classes and state examinations. Currently, BAC hosts long-term international students from Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong and Japan, and has a long-term international student population of no more than ten percent across all classes so that international students gain a uniquely Australian education.

Overseas Students Studying at BAC

• The minimum 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 (four terms) with four main holiday periods.
• Class attendance for each term must be above 80 percent.
• Students must exhibit a serious attitude to work, maintaining satisfactory course progress.
• Students who are assessed as needing English language help are expected to attend our specialist English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, as well as study in mainstream classes.

To obtain an International Student Application for Enrolment Form please go to the Downloads section of this website.

Courses Offered at BAC

• Primary programme - Prep, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
• Junior Secondary programme - 8, 9,10
• Senior Secondary programme - 11 & 12

Primary Education Programme

Primary 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.

The Primary school accepts international students at any level of English proficiency. Each student's English is assessed as soon as they arrive. They are then intergrated into mainstream classes and also attend regular ESL lessons to improve their English. This unique blend of mainstream classes and ESL optimises their ability to learn English and succeed academically.

Students may be offered an Individualised Educational Program (IEP) in circumstances where they require assistance with class work in the regular classroom.

Overseas students in Primary are provided with the following academic and personal support:

• Daily interaction with the ESL teachers, Mrs Till and Mrs Leeson
• Learning intervention when necessary
• 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 when required
• Interaction from the school counsellor when required
• Language interpretation and translation services when required
• Legal assistance when required
• Assistance from Enhanced Learning department when required
• Assistance from the International Students department

Secondary Studies Education Programmes

International students are required to have a good level of English proficiency before they enrol at BAC Secondary. Secondary international students integrate immediately into mainstream classes. They meet with ESL teachers once per week for help with English and mainstream assignments; hence, they may need to enrol in a high school preparation course with an English Language College before they begin their studies at BAC. International students wishing to enter a secondary studies programme will need to provide evidence of their English proficiency.

BAC Secondary offers two courses: Junior Secondary, Years 8 to 12; and Senior Secondary,
Years 11 and 12. BAC Secondary follows the state curriculum with the addition of Religious Studies, which is compulsory for all BAC students. A selection of core and elective subjects is offered in Junior and Senior Secondary.

Core subjects for Junior Secondary include: Mathematics, English, Science, Physical Education, and Studies of Society and the Environment (SOSE).

Core subjects for Senior Secondary include: English and the study of Mathematics is strongly advised at one of the three levels offered (although Maths is not compulsory). Senior students studying to complete an Overall Position (OP) score must do a total of six subjects.

Elective subjects for Years 11 and 12 include: Study of Religon (OP subject), Religon and Ethics
(non-OP), Modern History, Accounting, Economics, Art, Legal Studies, Maths A, Maths B, Maths C, Maths Communication (non-OP), English Communication (non-OP), Graphics, Tech Studies, ITS, Drama Studies, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Music, Music Extension, Home Economics and Physical Education. Other subjects are available through TAFE and Distance Education or external study. Chinese and Japanese can be organised by the College.

The Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE) is Queensland's senior school qualification, which is awarded to eligible students at the end of Year 12. The QCE recognises broad learning options and offers flexibility in what, where and when learning occurs. Students who complete Year 12 may be awarded an Overall Position (OP) score. This score can be used to gain entrance into university, TAFE or other training institutions.

Overseas students in Secondary are provided with the following academic and personal support:

• Regular classes and interaction with the ESL Teachers
• Daily contact with the Form teacher each morning
• Regular classes with experience and qualified subject teachers
• Interaction with Student Contact Officer when required
• Interaction with Chaplains
• Counselling from school counsellor when required
• Language interpretation and translation services when required
• Legal services when required
• Academic and Careers counselling
• Assistance from Enhanced Learning department when required
• Assistance from the International Students department

Overseas Student Academic Requirements

* Special exemptions will be made for students going from BAC Primary to BAC Secondary.