Hunter Valley Grammar School welcomes International Students and has been running a successful program for its International Students for the past eight years. The School is CRICOS Accredited for students entering Years 7 to Year 12.
International Students currently enrolled at Hunter Valley Grammar School are from China, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, Japan and Germany. The students are learning to live, study and make friends in an English speaking country. They have the full support of their Homestay, Guardians and the School so that they are able to enjoy their experience in Australia as well as achieving their best academically.
Hunter Valley Grammar School offers:
- A safe and supportive environment that encourages individual achievement.
- Excellent facilities and resources.
- A broad curriculum which includes Maths, Sciences, Business Studies, Economics, Languages, Information Technology and Visual and Performing Arts
- A quality English for Secondary Studies Course (ELICOS - English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students) designed and taught by qualified English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers with high school knowledge and experience.
- A full range of student support services including:
- Pastoral Care Program
- School-based Homestay Program with carefully selected families
- School-arranged Guardians who speak the students native language
- Assistance with placement into mainstream school courses for continuing studies after the English for Secondary Studies Course
- Advice for continuing educational courses and pathways
- Counselling
- Assistance with health insurance registration and visa extensions
- Airport pickup
English for Secondary Studies Course (ELICOS)
At Hunter Valley Grammar School we want students to experience success at whatever they undertake to study. To maximise the chance of this, a sound knowledge of English is essential as it forms the basis for such achievement.
In order to achieve this, the Hunter Valley Grammar School offers the English for Secondary Studies Course at the School. It is designed to equip international students with the level of English required to enter into the High School Program at Hunter Valley Grammar School.
Entry Requirements
There is no minimum level of English required to apply for entry at Hunter Valley Grammar School, however, international students should be between 12 and 18 years of age and should have completed the appropriate numbers of years’ schooling for their age in their home country, including English language instruction. In addition, satisfactory results in other school subjects will be required. Translated copies of recent school reports are required before enrolments are finalised.
What is taught in the English for Secondary Studies Course (ELICOS)
Our language courses are designed to prepare students linguistically and academically for participation in the Australian High School programs.
ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students) ranges from Beginners to Advanced Levels. The course is designed to enable international students develop their levels of English proficiency to a stage where they can successfully enter the High School Program.
The English language program provides intesive English instruction in :
- Speaking
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
Upon successful completion of the English course, the student will then progress to either the Junior Secondary School Course (Years 7-10) or the Senior Secondary School Course (Years 11 & 12).
Students must comply with visa regulations regarding attendance and academic requirements. School's Policy on Attendance and Course Progress.
High School Program
International Students are accepted into the High School Program (mainstream classes) upon achieving an ESL Bandscale of 5. This ensures the student has the English level required for the academic rigours of the High School Program. Although they are mainstreamed upon achieving this level, they still have the support from these teachers throughout their time in the High School Program. Year 12 students sit their Higher School Certificate in New South Wales which is used to gain University Admission.
Hunter Valley Grammar School has a high academic standards and results. Over 95% of students go on to study at Universities or Higher Education Institutions. The majority of these students gain entry into their first choice of degree.
Location
Hunter Valley Grammar School is situated on 30 acres of lighlty wooded land in the cenre of the beautiful Hunter Valley region of New South Wales. The city of Maitland is approximately 150 km from Sydney and 30 km from Newcastle (Australia's 6th largest city). Transport between the region and Sydney is easily accessible. The Hunter Valley is an excellent base of International Students to get to know Australia. They are close to superb beaches, spectacular mountain scenery and the modern facilities of two major cities in Australia. See map for reference.