High SchoolPreparation

Magazine

Department of Education trading as Education Queensland InternationalCRICOS Provider Code: 00608A

Succeed

Learn English in thescience lab!

like Seungboem:school dux after HSP

HSP

Many of our most successful international students began their Australian school studies with HSP. This includes some of the highest achieving school students, university scholarship winners and graduates. We’re delighted to share their stories and introduce some of the teachers and schools that make HSP such a success.

Enrol in HSP now through your local education agent or EQI.

Find an agent near you at eqi.com.au/find-an-agent

High School Preparation: your foundation for successHigh School Preparation (HSP) is an intensive English program designed to give you a solid foundation for your high school studies in Australia.

Succeed like Seungboem: school dux after HSP

Building the foundation for a career in medicine In Brisbane you can have

a perfect lifestyle, with opportunity and facilities

P. 16

Read what international students think of our HSP program

P. 20

HSP: first impressions count

Extract DNA from a strawberry

P. 10

Develop confidence and lifelong friendships and achieve academic success

P. 12

The Queensland advantage

Queensland

What is High School Preparation? Who is HSP for?HSP: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

P. 6

Read stories from our successful graduatesAlumni stories

P. 14

Wonderful places to go and things to see in and around BrisbaneValuable lessons outside the classroom

P. 18

International Student Support Officer Ms Pei

Study support at Mitchelton State High School

Enriching our students’ experience

P. 22

P. 4

Enjoy the Brisbane lifestyle

Learn English in the science lab

MAGAZINE

2 HSP MAGAZINE 3HSP MAGAZINE

Seungboem is a highly successful international student from Seoul, Korea, who is on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor.

Seungbeom’s achievements• School dux

• OP 1

• School awards

• $30,000 QUT Scholarship

• Enrolled in QUT medical imaging degree

Building a foundation for a career in medicine

When he arrived in Brisbane to study Year 9, Seungbeom says he struggled with English, but with support from his EQI High School Preparation (HSP) teachers at Mitchelton State High School he quickly overcame his fear of speaking English and progressed to mainstream high school classes at Whites Hill State College (SC).

‘HSP made me feel confident speaking in English and having conversations with foreigners and international people and it helped me a lot for preparing before I got into high school in Brisbane’, he says.

At high school Seungbeom excelled in music, maths and science and made gradual improvements in English with the help of his teachers, tutor and his homestay ‘mum’.

Seungbeom’s perseverance paid off when he graduated as dux† from Whites Hill SC with an OP1‡ and a number of awards; he even composed the song that was played at his Year 12 final assembly.

‘High school provided me with literacy skills and developed critical thinking skills and analytical skills which led me into university’, he explains.

Seungbeom’s high school achievements were so impressive he was awarded a $30,000 Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Vice Chancellor’s International Student Scholarship when he began his undergraduate studies in medical imaging in 2017. He hopes the program will provide a pathway to a hospital residency where he can continue studying to become a doctor specialising in radiology.

Seungbeom loves helping people so he’s joined the QUT Korean Student Association and spends his Saturdays helping new international students to make friends and settle into life in Brisbane.

As well as teaching his fellow QUT students to speak Korean, and helping to build cross cultural relationships on campus, Seungbeom has also visited his former school to talk to HSP students about his experiences and how they might also achieve the best from their studies.

† In Australia the term dux is a title given to the highest-ranking student in academic or sporting achievement in each graduating year.

‡ The Overall Position (OP) is Queensland’s current tertiary ranking system (due to be replaced in 2020) and is used to determine eligibility for admission to tertiary courses.

4 HSP MAGAZINE 5HSP MAGAZINE

20km

30km

40km

50km

*Thi

s m

ap is

pro

vide

d fo

r ref

eren

ce o

nly

is n

ot d

raw

n to

sca

le.

Sunnybank

Corinda

Darra

Spring�eld

Spring�eld Lakes

Redbank Plains

Ipswich

Raceview

Flinders View

East Ipswich

Belowrie

Anstead

Upper Kedron

Ferny Grove

Ferny Hills

Eatons Hill

Brendale

Kallangur

Gri­n

NarangbaDeception Bay

Redcli�e

Burpengary

Dayboro

Kobble Creek

Cedar Creek

YugarDraper

Closeburn

Bunya

Enoggera

The Gap

Cannon Hill Tingalpa

MoorookaMount Gravatt

Rocklea

SunnybankHills

Runcorn

Underwood

Springwood

Slacks Creek

Loganlea

Loganholme

Victoria Point

Redland Bay

Mount Cotton

Sheldon

Manly West

Wynnum

Lytton

Coorparoo

Greenslopes

Annerley

Parkinson

Greenbank

Heathwood

Samsonvale

ArmstrongCreerk

Strathpine

Bald Hills

Bracken RidgeSandgate

Chermside

Kedron

Ascot

SamfordValley

Whites Hill SCHSP

Indooroopilly SHSIBHSP

Brisbane InternationalAirport

Brisbane

Queensland

Mitchelton SHSHSP

State College (SC)

Airport

Main road

Train line

Central business district (CBD)

State High School (SHS)

HSP: FAQsWhat is High School Preparation?High School Preparation (HSP) is a highly successful English language program offered at selected Education Queensland International (EQI) schools. HSP will develop your English language skills and introduce you to the Queensland high school curriculum and assessment structure to prepare you for mainstream high school classes in Australia.

Who is HSP for?HSP is for students aged 11 and over who don’t have the required English language proficiency to study a high school program in a Queensland Government school. Normally, students complete a minimum of two terms of HSP to gain the proficiency they need to commence high school.

With six different levels of HSP you can learn at a level appropriate for you with a team of highly-skilled and supportive teachers.

There is no minimum English language proficiency required to join the HSP program but you must demonstrate you have passed all the core subjects in your previous two years of schooling.

How many hours of English instruction will I get?When you study HSP you will receive a minimum of 20 hours English language instruction every week. This will include reading, writing, listening and speaking; learning the English vocabulary you’ll need to know for different high school subjects (for example, chemistry, biology, mathematics and the arts) and developing your note taking skills in class.

You’ll also be encouraged to practise your English conversation skills with other students, teachers, your homestay family and the wider community in your local area.

Where can I study HSP?HSP is offered at three schools in the Brisbane region: (see map opposite)

• Indooroopilly State High School • Mitchelton State High School• Whites Hill State College

EQI will select the school where you will study HSP based on your mainstream school preference. Where possible, you will study HSP at the school closest to your mainstream preference, however this is based on availability in the HSP program at the time of application.

Students in the HSP program are able to stay with an EQI homestay. In most cases, the mainstream school will arrange the homestay.

Follow the links to find out more about these schools, living in Brisbane and EQI homestay.

General information about the HSP program can be found on the EQI website eqi.com.au/hsp

20km

30km

40km

50km

*Thi

s m

ap is

pro

vide

d fo

r ref

eren

ce o

nly

is n

ot d

raw

n to

sca

le.

Sunnybank

Corinda

Darra

Spring�eld

Spring�eld Lakes

Redbank Plains

Ipswich

Raceview

Flinders View

East Ipswich

Belowrie

Anstead

Upper Kedron

Ferny Grove

Ferny Hills

Eatons Hill

Brendale

Kallangur

Gri­n

NarangbaDeception Bay

Redcli�e

Burpengary

Dayboro

Kobble Creek

Cedar Creek

YugarDraper

Closeburn

Bunya

Enoggera

The Gap

Cannon Hill Tingalpa

MoorookaMount Gravatt

Rocklea

SunnybankHills

Runcorn

Underwood

Springwood

Slacks Creek

Loganlea

Loganholme

Victoria Point

Redland Bay

Mount Cotton

Sheldon

Manly West

Wynnum

Lytton

Coorparoo

Greenslopes

Annerley

Parkinson

Greenbank

Heathwood

Samsonvale

ArmstrongCreerk

Strathpine

Bald Hills

Bracken RidgeSandgate

Chermside

Kedron

Ascot

SamfordValley

Whites Hill SCHSP

Indooroopilly SHSIBHSP

Brisbane InternationalAirport

Brisbane

Queensland

Mitchelton SHSHSP

State College (SC)

Airport

Main road

Train line

Central business district (CBD)

State High School (SHS)

‘As a teacher it’s wonderful and encouraging to meet with past students and hear the success stories of the many who achieved high

rankings to enter university in order to gain qualifications for professional fields such as medicine, pharmacy, engineering and business. Some past students have even started their own businesses. HSP has provided an initial platform to build confidence and use language skills as the key to open doors’.Astar Alexis, HSP Academic Coordinator, Indooroopilly State High School

6 HSP MAGAZINE 7HSP MAGAZINE

How is HSP taught?

How is HSP assessed?HSP prepares you for the assessment structure you will have in mainstream high school studies. This ensures that you understand what is expected and how to achieve academic success. Some typical assessment tasks include:

• essay writing

• report writing

• spoken (oral) tasks

• research assignments

• macro skills test.

What happens if I don’t reach the required level at the end of my HSP program? You have several options if you don’t meet the required level at the end of your HSP program. You can either extend your HSP program for an additional term, or you may be able to join high school classes in a lower year.

If these options are exhausted and you are not able to meet the required English level before the start of your high school course then a ‘No Further Offer’ letter is issued to you.

HSP teaches you English along with other essential subjects like maths and science. Your teachers will use text books, videos, group discussions, practical activities, projects and presentations to support your learning. The timetable also provides opportunities for you to make friends through learning activities, excursions and sports.

What happens if I need more support?HSP classes are small with a maximum of 18 students to ensure you receive the support you need to develop your language skills to meet the proficiency benchmark. Your HSP progress is monitored by your school and extra support is provided if you need it. Your Individual Learning Plan can include additional tutoring and extra help with your classwork and homework to give you the best chance of success.

FAQ: Support

*Intervention strategy. If you need more helpTime Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Form 8:45-8:55

Session 1 8:55-9:30 Mathematics Integrated skills Integrated skills Integrated skills Literature

9:30-10:05 Mathematics Literature Integrated skills Integrated skills Literature

Session 2 10:05-10:40 Science Integrated skills Sport Mathematics SoSE/ICT

10:40-11:15 Science Integrated skills Sport Integrated skills SoSE/ICT

Morning Tea 11:15-11:35

Session 3 11:35-12:10 Integrated skills Integrated skills SoSE/ICT Integrated skills Integrated skills

12:10-12:45 Integrated skills Integrated skills SoSE/ICT Integrated skills Integrated skills

Lunch 12:50-1:45

Session 4 1:45-2:20 Integrated skills Science Integrated skills Electives

2:20-2:55 Integrated skills Integrated skills Integrated skills

A sample HSP timetable

Intervention strategy*

What will be done

Times Who is responsible

Tutoring Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday

8:00am 1:05pm 8:00am 1:05pm

Tutor

Monitoring class work

Form to be filled in at home and school

Classroom teachers

Monitoring homework

Homestay parent / guardian

Sample

When can I study HSP?You can join a HSP program at the beginning of Terms 1 to 4 of the Queensland state school year.In Queensland, the school year is divided into 4 terms from late January until December. EQI offers an extra five to seven week Summer Term for HSP students who need additional time to demonstrate satisfactory progress. This takes place during the December to January vacation period, with a one-week break over Christmas and New Year.

When can I move from HSP to mainstream high school classes?To enter mainstream high school classes you must demonstrate satisfactory progress in HSP to meet the requirements of your appropriate high school year level. If you do not demonstrate satisfactory progress you may be required to undertake additional HSP study. Providing a valid English test result after commencing HSP does not guarantee an immediate placement in a mainstream course.

8 HSP MAGAZINE 9HSP MAGAZINE

HSP science lessons give you the scientific English you’ll need for high school science classes.

Everyone is encouraged to participate and ask lots of questions, and there are clearly defined steps to success. This includes a safety briefing, how to use the science instruments and how to conduct your class experiments using a task sheet. Afterwards, your teacher may lead a discussion about the experiment with your class and ask you to talk about what you’ve learned.

Do you know how to extract the long strands of DNA stored in a strawberry or how to identify different chemical substances? Sounds complicated, but these are just one of the ways our inspirational teachers make learning English fun and exciting through hands-on science lessons.

INTERACTIVELe

arn

Engl

ish

in th

e sc

ienc

e la

b

‘We want our students to leave HSP with the skills and the knowledge we know they need. We believe that we have the place, the knowledge, the personnel and the resources to give every student the best opportunity to be successful in their mainstream studies’.Jean Hamilton Director of Studies - HSP Whites Hill State College

‘HSP staff understand that families want information about the progress of their student and they know that family involvement, regardless of distance, increases academic scores and students’ confidence in approaching new and exciting learning environments’.Andrea Pugh Director of Studies - HSP Mitchelton State High School

11HSP MAGAZINE10 HSP MAGAZINE

Why study HSP?HSP is an outstanding program for giving international students an insight into the Australian school system. The specialised teachers work very closely with the students to develop the necessary skills to prepare them for entering high school; they work closely with them particularly on their literacy skills and this gives them the advantage they need.

What are the highlights of the program?The highlight of working in an international program is seeing the progress an international student makes when they come to our country. Often when they arrive they are quite nervous and their English language skills are average – it’s wonderful to see their progression and the confidence they gain as their English language skills improve.

Geraldine Courtney, Head of International Studies at Whites Hill State College says developing confidence, lifelong friendships and academic success are just some of the advantages international students can gain from studying the HSP program at a Queensland Government school.

How are students made to feel welcome at your school?It’s wonderful to see the way international students interact with Australian students and they forge close friendships. At our college we have a well-recognised ambassador program where many of our Whites Hill State College students welcome international students and it is those lifelong friendships that are highlights.

What are the results of the program?We are delighted that so many international students reach academic success. We’ve had a continued period of outstanding results in our international program in recent years with many students achieving an OP (Overall Position) 1 to 5.

HSP the Queensland

advantage

13HSP MAGAZINE

Over the years, there have been numerous outstanding EQI graduates who now serve in various professions in Australia and overseas. We love to hear about the study journeys and success of our past students.

Tony

Harr

y‘I believe it was the best two years of my life because I could meet a lot of people and a lot of teachers and for me it was unbelievable experience’.

Valeriia (Russia) Technology Solutions Professional Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, The University of Queensland

‘While I was at Mitchelton State High School if I had a problem with my studies or a question I did not understand I would go to the office and ask for support. I found that help was always available from staff who would explain things to me very patiently’.

Yuxin (China)Secondary Education Degree, QUT

Vale

riia

Yuxi

n

‘As new arrivals in the country, quite often culture differences can be just as challenging as academic issues. I felt that Whites Hill State College had helped me with the cultural adaptation very well and I was feeling at ease from day one’.Dr Charles Xiaohang Sun Dentist, BDSc (Hons) (Qld)

CharlesHSP alumni stories Dr Charles Sun studied HSP at Whites Hill State College

when he arrived in Australia in 2007. Now a private practice dentist in Western Australia, Dr Sun says the HSP program also gave him a head start for all the challenges he faced in his studies in Australia. Read his story at eqi.com.au/why-study/eqi-alumni/dr-sun-from-chinaDr Charles Xiaohang Sun Dentist, BDSc (Hons) (Qld)

Beichen (Tony) came to Queensland to follow his dream of becoming a consumer electronics engineer. He began his HSP studies at Indooroopilly State High School before completing high school at Kenmore State High School, enabling him to undertake a Bachelor Degree at The University of Queensland.eqi.com.au/why-study/eqi-alumni/tony

Tony (China) Bachelor of Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland

When he arrived to study in Queensland, Harry spoke very little English. Four months later, he had completed HSP at Whites Hill State College giving him the language proficiency he needed to join mainstream Year 11 classes at Cleveland District State High School. Now qualified as a nurse after studying at QUT, Harry is excited about the future and where his degree and practical experience will take him next.eqi.com.au/why-study/eqi-alumni/harry-from-vietnam

Harry (Vietnam) Bachelor of Nursing, QUT

University of Queensland graduate Valeriia studied HSP at Mitchelton State High School and completed Years 11 and 12 at Kelvin Grove State College where she graduated with an OP1.eqi.com.au/why-study/eqi-alumni/valeriia-from-russia

Valeriia (Russia) Technology Solutions Professional Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, The University of Queensland

Yuxin began her Australian studies with HSP at Mitchelton State High School where she also studied Years 11 and 12. After graduating with an OP3, she undertook a Secondary Education degree at Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

eqi.com.au/whystudy/studentsuccessstories/Pages/yuxin-from-chinaYuxin (China)Secondary Education Degree, QUT 15HSP MAGAZINE14 HSP MAGAZINE

Our green leafy city has hundreds of parks and gardens throughout the metropolitan area, linked by safe cycling and walking paths, convenient trains, buses and river ferries, and well-maintained roads.

Enjoy our all-year pleasant sunny climate, and get close to our unique wildlife and flora in the many conservation reserves in the city. You can also see outdoor sports competitions all year at Brisbane’s large stadiums and sport centres, including soccer, rugby, cricket and tennis games in large-capacity centres where you have a very good chance of purchasing a ticket.

Explore our city and experience our plentiful attractions including scenic lookouts, free art galleries and museums, laneway cafes and the Brisbane Planetarium. In the centre of Brisbane is the Queensland Performing Arts Centre; offering international and Australian ballets, musicals and opera. Also in the inner city is the South Bank Parklands beach with picnic areas and restaurants that give you spectacular views of the Brisbane River.

Venture just a small distance outside Brisbane to feed dolphins on Moreton Island, surf at North Stradbroke Island, see whales in Moreton Bay, visit a farmstay, walk in our spectacular national parks or see nature up-close at Australia Zoo. Only an hour away by car, you can visit the famous surf beaches of the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast is just two hours away.

Queensland is also home to the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics rainforest areas, and many of our schools run student trips to see these and other natural wonders.

Brisbane is easy to get to as the Brisbane airport is visited by 34 airlines, with direct access to and from many destinations including Asia, Europe, Latin America and the United States.

Brisbane is also home to major commercial and industrial areas, and is a ‘university town’ with a thriving education economy and six universities.

Here you can relax, learn and enjoy life in the same wonderful city.

With our mild climate and about 283 sunny days per year, you can enjoy our famous outdoor lifestyle all year round.

the Brisbane lifestyle

Enjoy

BrisbaneIn Brisbane you can have the perfect lifestyle, without compromising on opportunities or facilities.

16 HSP MAGAZINE 17HSP MAGAZINE

Valuable lessons

outside the classroom

School excursions are a fun and engaging way for HSP students to learn English and enjoy unique experiences beyond the classroom.Many excursions are linked to the curriculum but also all open the students’ minds to the wonderful places to go and things to see in and around Brisbane. Over the years, students have had the opportunity to meet, feed (and even cuddle) native Australian animals, study the night sky at the Brisbane Planetarium and visit Parliament House, museums and the botanic gardens.

School excursions

18 HSP MAGAZINE 19HSP MAGAZINE

HSP: first impressions countPreparing for mainstream classes is a big step so it’s great to hear what our international students think of their HSP program

Despite learning some English at school in Vietnam, Trinh from Binh Duong Province says he didn’t understand the language when he arrived in Queensland in 2013. However, after just a few months studying the HSP program at Mitchelton State High School he was proficient enough to join mainstream high school studies at North Lakes State College.

At North Lakes State College, Trinh was able to focus on his favourite subjects (maths and physics). He was also able to keep improving his language skills with the help of his English as an additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) teacher.

‘She never gave up on anything and helped me to fix my grammar and mistakes. She was the most perfect teacher I’ve ever had’, he said.

Trinh graduated with an Overall Position (OP) 2 in 2015 and with the assistance of his school, successfully applied for two prestigious Queensland University of Technology (QUT) scholarships worth over AUS $30,000.

Trinh

Future‘At first I was in HSP then I went into mainstream classes. Mainstream is wonderful. My classmates are friendly and teachers are kind. I made lots of friends with my classmates. The teachers always help me. We have sports twice a week and it really helps me a lot. I like my class it’s just like my home’.

‘In this course, we were separated into different level classes and studied the language. It is quite easy as teachers spoke English at a slow speed and were very friendly. They helped us to adapt to an Australian school and improve English. I went to Year 9 after two months’. ‘In HSP all I needed to do was improve

and practise my English. The teachers were really patient; the study in HSP did

not have much pressure. However, when I got in mainstream, the stress of study came

to me quickly - homework and exams were quite difficult to me but there are many good

counsellors helping with your study. This made my mainstream study much easier’.

Gary (Year 9)

Leo (Year 7)

Ella (Year 9)

21HSP MAGAZINE20 HSP MAGAZINE

International Student Support Officer Ms Pei joined the international team at Indooroopilly State High School in 2006. Originally from China, Ms Pei has lived in Australia for the past 30 years and is passionate about supporting students to achieve their best at school.

‘My role is to assist students to settle into the Australian school system. I liaise between the school and the students and their parents, act as a translator and help parents to

understand how best to support each student through HSP, the International Student Program and the homestay program.Each day I spend time with our international students at school and have a chance to share their happiness and work with the international student and homestay coordinators to resolve any difficulties’.

Many Mitchie HSP students attend one or two Study Support sessions as an opportunity to develop their English skills and ask questions about homework and assignments. HSP student Camilla from China was delighted with the support she received during her HSP program at Mitchie before she joined Year 10 mainstream studies at Kelvin Grove State College.

‘I really like the help. I think I am learning much more because I can ask questions and play games. The teachers are there to help. It’s wonderful’, she said.

Andrea Pugh, Director of HSP Studies at Mitchelton, says it is important for students to apply their learning in and outside of the classroom.

‘English as a Second Language (ESL) students need to make connections with vocabulary in authentic situations and make the most of every opportunity to use English and take control of their own learning’, Ms Pugh says.

‘Mitchie’s exceptional staff spend their time helping HSP students during after school hours and provide a variety of activities and exercises to help them improve their language skills’.

HSP student support

Study support at MitcheltonState High SchoolMitchelton State High School, or ‘Mitchie’ as it is affectionately known, has exceptional staff and a highly supportive learning environment.

Enriching our students’ experienceInternational Student Support Officer Ms Pei

22 HSP MAGAZINE 23HSP MAGAZINE

All the information contained in this publication is correct at the time of printing. The Department of Education, trading as Education Queensland International, reserves the right to alter any course, admission requirement, procedure or fee included in this publication without prior notice. Prospective students should check the website for any amendments before submitting an application. Images courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Postal Address PO Box 15050, City East QLD 4002 Australia

Street Address Level 18, Education House 30 Mary Street

Brisbane QLD 4000

Australia

Telephone (within Australia)

1800 316 540

Telephone (outside Australia) +61 7 3513 5301

Fax +61 7 3513 5783

Email EQInternational@qed.qld.gov.au

Website eqi.com.au

CRICOS Provider Code

00608A

CRICOS Provider Name

Education Queensland International

MKT

087_

18 P

hoto

grap

hy: T

ouris

m &

Eve

nts

Que

ensl

and

/ Li

me

phot

ogra

phy

Contact us For more information about EQI schools and international services please contact your local education agent or EQI.

@eqiAustralia

@eqiAustralia

Education Queensland International

Join us