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

2. 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

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

4. 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
Start Primary School

5. 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

6. 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
Start

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

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

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. ??? 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. 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

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

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

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

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