Preparatory Year
Duration = 1 year.
Student ages = 4 to 6 years.
Offered = the year before Year 1. |
- This level
would only be relevant to agents who need to
consider the young children of international
higher education students in Australia.
- It is not
compulsory in some states.
- It is sometimes known by other names in
different States and Territories such as
‘Kindergarten’, ‘Transition’, ‘Reception’, or
‘Primary’.
- Its curriculum is linked to the primary school
curriculum.
- It focuses on the overall development of the
students.
|
Primary School
Duration = 6 or 7 years.
Student ages = 5 to 12 years. |
- This level
would be relevant to agents who need to consider
the young children of international higher
education students in Australia. Also, some
unaccompanied primary age children study in
Australia on student visas.
- This level is
compulsory for all students.
- There is no entrance examination for public
primary schools.
- Co-educational and single-sex schools exist.
- Students learn with others of a similar age.
- Learning occurs by group and individual
activities.
- There is one teacher in each year for all
subjects except for some specialist subjects
(e.g. Art).
- There is no standardized exam at the end of
primary school.
- Students do not receive a formal certificate
after completing primary school.
- The early
part of children's education is very important
since it is in these formative years that
attitudes and behavior begins to take shape.
Emphasis is put not only on the educational side
of primary schooling, but also on students
developing communication and cooperation skills,
which will serve them well in later life. |
Secondary School
Duration = 5 or 6 years.
Student ages = 12 to 18 years. |
- To enter
secondary school, international students must
provide their academic records and demonstrate
appropriate English proficiency.
- The general
tone of secondary education is much more
independent and student guided than primary
school. Students have many course options which
reflect their interests and goals.Some schools
emphasize certain subjects more than others.
Choice and diversity is increased by schools
which specialize in areas such as languages,
music, sport, information technology,
agriculture or vocational education.
-
Co-educational & single-sex schools are
available.
- Students have different teachers for most
subjects.
- Students move from room to room according to
their timetable, and they study in classrooms
that are specially designed for subjects such as
art, music and science.
Junior High School – usually Years 7-10
- Students take a number of compulsory courses
in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social
Science.
- After completing Junior High school, a student
may choose to continue into senior high school
programs, begin a vocational program, or enter
the workforce. However, most students choose to
continue to Year 11.
- In some States, a student leaving Year 10 may
be awarded a formal certification of completion
of that year.
Senior High School – usually Years 11-12
- Students in Years 11 and 12 have a wider range
of choices in selecting elective courses such as
Computing, Art, and Drama.- Students study
subjects that they excel in or that relate to
their future career or educational goals.
- Students in Year 12 can study for a
government-endorsed certificate that is
recognised for further study by all Australian
universities and vocational education and
training institutions. This is generally known
as a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education,
and it is recognised for entry into many
international universities. |
