Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Education in Victoria The Bridge Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 A bridge takes you from where you are now to where you want to be. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

This is the school path for most students who grow up in Victoria. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Finish Primary School Grade 6 – Age 11 Grade 5 - Age 10 Grade 4 – Age 9 Grade 3 – Age 8 Grade 2 – Age 7 Grade 1 – Age 6 Prep – Age 5 In English Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Start Primary School

Finish Secondary College/High School Start Secondary / High School Year 12 Year 11 Year 10 Year 9 Year 8 Year 7 In English Start Secondary / High School Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 So, Prep to Year 12 for most students who grow up in Australia looks like this: Finish Year 12 Year 11 Year 10 Year 9 Year 8 Year 7 Year 6 Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 1 Prep In English Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Start

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 For some people who have not grown up in Australia the path is different. Maybe it’s like this: Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Problems in Your Country Finish School Grade 3 – Age 8 Grade 2 – Age 7 Grade 1 – Age 6 Prep – Age 5 Problems in Your Country Not in English Start Primary School Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Or Maybe it’s like this: Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Year 10 Year 9 Year 8 Year 7 Year 6 Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 1 In a Refugee Camp Year 10 Year 9 Year 8 Year 7 Year 6 Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 1 Prep In big classes Often disrupted because of problems With very few books and other resources Not in English Or very little English Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Or perhaps Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Finish School Or very little English Start School Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 1 Stop studying Stop studying for 4 months Not in English Stop studying for 2 months Stop studying for 9 months Or very little English Stop studying for 6 months Start School Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Or Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Come to Australia for family re-union or on a Business Migration Visa Year 11 Year 10 Year 9 Year 8 Year 7 Year 6 Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 1 Prep Not in English In your country Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Let’s Compare Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

What if this student Wants to Study at High School? 17 Year old Student with Disrupted Schooling and New to Australia 17 Year old Student Growing up in Australia What if this student Wants to Study at High School? Finish Year 12 Year 11 Year 10 Year 9 Year 8 Year 7 Year 6 Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 1 Prep In English Not in English Finish Grade 3 – Age 8 Grade 2 – Age 7 Grade 1 – Age 6 Prep – Age 5 Start Start Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

??? This is a very big step. Like climbing a mountain Or maybe 17 Year old Student with Disrupted Schooling and New to Australia 17 Year old Student Growing up in Australia Finish This is a very big step. Year 12 Year 11 Year 10 Year 9 Year 8 Year 7 Year 6 Year 5 Year 4 Year 3 Year 2 Year 1 Prep Or maybe ??? Finish Like climbing a mountain Grade 3 – Age 8 Grade 2 – Age 7 Grade 1 – Age 6 Prep – Age 5 Start Start Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

How can you catch up if you have missed a lot of school? What’s the Answer??? How can you catch up if you have missed a lot of school? Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 A BRIDGE is needed to help you go from where you are now to where you want to be. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Some high schools have BRIDGING COURSES which help students improve their English and Math skills. – e.g. Sunshine College- Step-up Program Debney Park SC – Foundation VCAL You should study in such courses for at least one year. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Even after that, VCE may be too difficult. If you are an older student who wants to study in High School and then do VCE (Years 11 and 12) you may have to repeat Year 10. I understand. If you want to succeed, you will need to repeat Year 10 Even after that, VCE may be too difficult. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Some schools also offer 3 Year VCE (Years 11 and 12) Some schools also offer 3 Year VCE (Years 11 and 12). This is a very good way for some students to complete their VCE. What about a 3 year VCE. Do you think I could try that? Yes, we can think about that too. Or maybe you can do some Year 10 subjects and one or two year 11 subjects. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Many Secondary Colleges do NOT accept 17 year old students into Year 10. At this school we do not enrol 17 year olds in Year 10. You will have more success at TAFE. How old are you? I’m 17 I want to study Year 10 at your High School Therefore, don’t be surprised or upset if the person helping you to find a school tells you that the High School you want to go to has said ‘No’. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

After Year 10 the school may suggest that you do VCAL, not VCE. Listen to your teachers. VCE is not the right course for everyone. VCAL means VICTORIAN CERTIFICATE OF APPLIED LEARNING. It helps students study for many of the practical and important jobs that Australia needs people for. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

TAFE means TECHNICAL AND FURTHER EDUCATION. TAFE has many suitable programs for older students – i.e. for ages 16, 17 or 18. TAFE means TECHNICAL AND FURTHER EDUCATION. First, the TAFE course will help improve your English skills. For example, ESL Certificates 1, 2, 3 and 4. After that, there are many different courses you can do. For older students with disrupted schooling, TAFE is often better. There are more choices and more opportunities to succeed at TAFE. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 If you are an older student who has come to Australia recently to join your family, OR 457 if you are an older student who has come to Australia on a Business Visa (e.g. 457 Visa), TAFE is often better, especially if you don’t have very good English. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Okay, so maybe you have a problem with TAFE!! Let’s look at some of these problems. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

No, many students start TAFE at 16 or 17. Question 1: Is TAFE only for old people? Answer: No, many students start TAFE at 16 or 17. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Did you know that you can study VCE more cheaply at TAFE Question 2: TAFE VCE Can I study VCE (Years 11 and 12) at TAFE? Did you know that you can study VCE more cheaply at TAFE than you can at a High School? Answer: Yes you can. And VCAL too. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Question 3: I want to wear a uniform. Do students wear a uniform at TAFE? Answer: SORRY!!! There is no uniform at TAFE. You need to forget about uniform and think about your REAL education and your FUTURE. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Question 4: TAFE Is it true that TAFE is just a place to find you a job? My friends say it’s not a real school. Answer: NO, that’s not true. TAFE is a real school just like High School or University. It teaches many different things, TAFE as well as training you for a good job. Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Did you know that many students who study at University in Australia cannot find jobs after they graduate? It’s true! Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

It’s often easier to get into a University from a TAFE course than it is from a High School. Question 5: Can I still go to University one day if I start at TAFE? Also, did you know that you can transfer from TAFE to many University courses without an ‘enter’ score? Answer: And you can also get CREDITS for what you have studied at TAFE. Yes you can. Did you know that Victoria University is a TAFE and a University? IT IS!! You can! TAFE University Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

I have heard that TAFE is expensive. Is this true? Question 6: I have heard that TAFE is expensive. Is this true? Answer: Even if you don’t have a Health Care Card, there are often ways of studying English and other courses cheaply at TAFE. For example, ‘fee waivers’. Ask those who are helping you to enrol at TAFE about ‘fee waivers’. Some courses are expensive, BUT, if you have a HEALTH CARE CARD, there are many courses which are NOT EXPENSIVE. And don’t forget University is REALLY EXPENSIVE!!! Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Also, think about this: Do you REALLY want to sit in a High School classroom with students who are MUCH younger than you – students who may behave in a really silly and childish way??? I can’t get my work done with all these silly young students in the class!!! Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Think about it. Ask yourself Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Do I want to climb the mountain? Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Or will I use the BRIDGE??? Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007

Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007 Think about it! It’s up to you!! and GOOD LUCK!!! Win Madigan – Western English Language School - 2007