International Student News

Recent news for current students

ISP Training

On 2^nd Sep our team attended the International Student Coordinator (ISC) Training provided by IEPD.
The training provided important updates on policies and procedures, as well as a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues from other schools, share experiences, and learn from one another.
A key focus of the training was student wellbeing, with guest speakers sharing their knowledge and expertise on how schools can better identify and support students who may need additional assistance.
Supporting international students who are living and studying away from home is an important part of our work. Students may experience particular challenges, including homesickness, adjusting to a new environment, and language barriers. At Northcote High School, we are fortunate to have dedicated support available for our students, including our teachers and our Mental Health Practitioner, Ms Harrison. Interpreter support is also available to help meet the needs of our international students and their families.
The training also included important discussions about racism and how schools can continue to create inclusive and culturally safe environments. As a diverse and multicultural school with a large International Student Program, Northcote High School is committed to ensuring that all members of our community feel welcome, respected, and valued. Through events such as Harmony Week and Language Week, we continue to provide opportunities for students and staff to learn about, celebrate, and share the many cultures within our school community.

Term 3 Dinner

On 7 September, we had a fantastic evening celebrating our Term 3 birthdays, welcoming our new students, and enjoying the Mid-Autumn Festival together. Students enjoyed a delicious Vietnamese dinner and a fun evening with friends and staff.
The highlight of the night was our Lucky Draw! Congratulations to our five lucky winners who took home some great prizes! There was plenty of excitement as we waited to see whose number would be called.
A big thank you to our Student Captains for helping organise and run the whole evening.

ISP students VS Staffs Basketball Match

After several years, the ISP Basketball Match was finally back on 26^th Aug.
The game brought together Northcote High School teachers, ISP students, and visiting students from our sister school, Huaibei No. 1 High School. There was plenty of energy, and enthusiasm competition on the court. Our teachers and students were determined and gave the game their very best.
This event was truly a team effort! A special thank you to Mr Rohan Hamit, who brought incredible energy and enthusiasm to the event as MC. Also to our Sports Team and Ms Dridan for their support in organising the event. We would like to acknowledge the Northcote High School students who volunteered as referees and scorekeepers.
We look forward to creating more opportunities to bring sporting events and activities back to the ISP program in the future.

Farewell to Our Short-Term Study Students

In August, we farewelled two Year 8 students who joined Northcote High School at different times for a one-month short-term study experience.
It was wonderful to have them as part of our school community. During their time at Northcote High School, they participated in classes, experienced school life in Australia, and formed meaningful connections with students and staff. We are delighted to have received very positive feedback from both their teachers and parents.

Semester 1 Reports- Supporting Student Success

Supporting students through early identification and timely intervention is an important part of our approach at the program.
Following the release of Semester 1 reports last semester, our International Student Coordinators have been meeting individually with students to discuss their academic progress, learning behaviours, and goals for the remainder of the year. These meetings provide an opportunity to celebrate achievements as well as to connect students with appropriate support where needed.
Student progress is also closely monitored by classroom teachers, Year Level Program Leaders, and the International Student Team. Through regular communication and collaboration, we try to provide appropriate support and ensure students continue to meet IEPD and student visa requirements.

Term 3 ISP Orientation

On Monday 13 July, we held our Term 3 International Student Orientation, welcoming 10 new international students and 2 junior students joining us for a short-term study program.
It was wonderful to see so many parents and family members attend the orientation. Their presence and support helped create a warm and welcoming start to our students’ journey at Northcote High School.
Throughout the session, students and their families were introduced to key school expectations, important policies, and the wide range of support services available at Northcote High School. We were pleased to have members of our Wellbeing Team and Sports Faculty join us to introduce themselves.
A special thank you to our ISP Captains for volunteering their time to welcome our new students. Several of our captains were able to communicate in the students’ first languages, helping families feel informed. They assisted students with accessing their school accounts, understanding their timetables, using their lockers and padlocks so that students are confidently navigating their first day at school.

From NHS to the Netherlands: A Scholarship Success Story- Minh TRAN

We are delighted to share an inspiring update from one of our international students, who has recently embarked on an exciting new chapter in the Netherlands after being awarded a scholarship in 2025.

During her time at NHS (January 2024 – December 2025), she completed Years 11 and 12 with remarkable dedication. A consistently bright and hardworking student, she maintained excellent attendance and received the Excellence in School Values Award in 2024. Beyond her academic success, she was a vital part of our school community, forming meaningful and lasting friendships along the way, including her Australian school sourced homestay family, Kristen and Damian.

Her journey was defined by a strong sense of independence. While navigating the challenges of senior secondary school, she successfully balanced her studies with a part-time job and contributed actively to her homestay household.

In her email response, she shared the following:

“I’ve learned so much during my time in Australia, especially at NHS, so I didn’t expect to be too surprised when moving to the Netherlands. However, actually living here as an expat has been a wonderful surprise. The environment is incredibly multicultural, and people are very open, honest, and friendly. I’m one of the youngest (and smallest!) in my class, but everyone embraces the differences while maintaining a strong sense of harmony.

Life here also feels very close to nature, which I really enjoy—it sometimes feels like being surrounded by a vast, peaceful forest. Thanks to the strong foundation I built in high school with the incredible support of my amazing teachers, I’ve been able to continue performing well and have achieved top results in my university exams so far.

I may not have a large circle of friends, but the ones I do have are kind, supportive, and meaningful to me. (I’ve attached some photos below)

Thank you again for all your support at NHS. It truly helped shape the path I’m on today and opened the door to a vibrant and enriching life. I’m very grateful. I hope that one day I’ll have the chance to return to Australia and visit you all.

Looking forward to staying in touch.”

Welcome back! ISP Orientation 2026

This term, we are delighted to welcome 19 new international students to our school community from Vietnam, China, Germany, Korea, and Switzerland. We are so excited to have you all with us. An orientation session was held on 28 January, where students had the opportunity to meet our Principal, Sub-School Coordinators, and Sport and Wellbeing staff. During the session, we discussed life in Australia, staying safe, school routines, and how we can best support students as they settle in. Thank you to our host parents and families overseas for joining us and supporting students through the transition.

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