Introduction

Westbourne Grammar School has welcomed International Students for more than 20 years. The school's reputation for academic excellence is a strong element of its international study program, which is designed to encourage students to achieve high results in order that they can enter university or other tertiary institutions.

The Westbourne International Centre was initially established in 1995 and moved to its new building in 2005 to provide educational support for international high school students. The centre has teaching rooms for newly arrived students who enter the Secondary Preparation Program to learn intensive English. It also has a common area and kitchen available to all International Students. The International Student Coordinator, International Student Administrator and the teaching staff are housed in the centre to support the students.

In addition to its intensive English program, Westbourne Grammar offers dedicated English as a Second Language classes to international students in Years 10, 11 and 12.

Today, upon completion of their studies, the majority of students go on to study at a university here in Australia.

For entry into the program, students are required to provide two years of academic reports from their school in their home country along with any English language test results and testimonials or references.

All International Students must live with a homestay family selected by the International Student Coordinator in conjunction with the student and their family, or stay with approved relatives.

Secondary Preparation Program (Intensive English)

In order to equip them with the language skills required in their new learning environment, International Students enrolled at Westbourne can undertake the Secondary Preparation Program (intensive English) in the International Centre. This program runs year round and is taught in small classes. Not only does the program offer an intensive English language course, it also provides an essential orientation period, allowing students to become familiar with the school's layout and procedures.

Students in the Secondary Preparation Program are full members of the school community. They live in a Westbourne homestay, wear Westbourne uniform and are in the care of experienced Westbourne grammar School staff. This enables them to become settled and comfortable at Westbourne before starting their mainstream classes.

While still undertaking the Secondary Preparation Program students attend selected mainstream classes such as mathematics, sport and information technology. The students will then enter mainstream classes once their English skills are of a level that will enable them to cope with the work