Student support programs

Students with minimal English who have recently arrived in South Australia may be eligible for support to learn English for living and studying in South Australia.

Intensive English language centres and new arrivals program centres

Newly arrived primary school students can enrol in an Intensive English Language Centre (IELC). Secondary school students can enrol in a New Arrivals Program (NAP). These programs help students by providing:

• intensive English language support from specialist teachers of English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD)
• a modified curriculum for school-aged children
• a variety of activities within the school and local community, including excursions and social events
• bilingual classroom support.

Classes are small and students generally stay in the program for up to 1 year. Some students are eligible for more than 1 year in the program.

Translated information

• Arabic brochure (PDF 300KB)
• Burmese brochure (PDF 257KB)
• Chinese Simplified brochure (PDF 408KB)
• Dari brochure (PDF  312KB)
• Gujerati brochure (PDF 247KB)
• Hindi brochure (PDF 274KB)
• Nepali brochure (PDF 275KB)
• Pashto brochure (PDF 250KB)
• Punjabi brochure (PDF 285KB)
• Russian brochure (PDF  231KB)
• Swahili brochure (PDF 184KB)
• Ukrainian brochure (PDF  239KB)
• Vietnamese brochure (PDF  237KB)

English version of translated brochures (PDF 154KB)

Eligibility

To be eligible you must enrol at an IELC or NAP within 12 months of arriving in Australia, or 18 months for children beginning school in reception or year 1.

Some categories of temporary visa holders are not eligible for IELC or NAP programs or may need to pay a fee. The school will talk to you about this during enrolment.

For information about enrolment phone your nearest centre or the EALD program on 8226 2756.

Students 5 to 12 years old

Students between the ages of 5 and 12 years can enrol in an IELC at one of the designated primary schools. Classes are organised according to individual needs.

Students are continuously assessed and parents are advised when they are ready to leave the program to join mainstream classes.

Teachers receive an exit report from the IELC teacher to help children with the transition to mainstream schooling.

IELC and NAP locations

Students 13 to 18 years old

The Adelaide Secondary School of English is the only metropolitan government school that caters to newly arrived students between the ages of 13 and 18.

The school offers:

• intensive English lessons across the curriculum
• placement in a range of classes based on English language ability, age and educational background
• opportunities to learn about the local community and global citizenship
• an introduction to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) through the Personal Learning Plan in year 10
• support to move to a mainstream government, independent or Catholic high school
• information and access to training or courses
• a wide range of support services through the various student well-being programs.

Contact the Adelaide Secondary School of English:

• phone 8340 3733
• email dl.1686.info@schools.sa.edu.au

For those students living in the south-east of South Australia, there is an IELC is available at:

• Mount Gambier North R to 7 Primary School
• Mount Gambier High School.

Other country areas

Families of non-English speaking backgrounds in other country areas may have access to support services through the English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD) program.

Phone the EALD Program on 8226 2756 for more information.

Students over 17

Students over 17 who want to study full-time in an adult environment can enrol in the NAP centre at Thebarton Senior College.

Students may receive credit toward the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) when completing this program.

Contact Thebarton Senior College:

• phone 8352 5811
• email dl.0810.info@schools.sa.edu.au

Opportunities in mainstream education

Government schools and preschools don't offer programs for gifted and talented children as part of the standard curriculum. Contact your local school to ask if they have specialised courses and programs.

Specialised courses and programs

A number of schools offer specialised courses and programs for students:

• with a special interest
• who are well ahead of their peers
• demonstrating talent in a particular area.

Ignite program - accelerated learning at high school

Three public high schools in Adelaide provide accelerated learning through the Ignite program. They are:

• The Heights School
• Glenunga International High School
• Aberfoyle Park High School

The Ignite program is fast-paced and contains less review and repetition than the normal curriculum because gifted students usually understand concepts quickly. Students can accelerate through school to complete years 8, 9 and 10 in two years or opt for a program that focuses on moving faster through subjects or expanding on them, rather than skipping grades.

Features of the Ignite program include:

• selective entry for students into year 8 based on a four-part test
• students working with intellectual peers
• focus on critical, creative and caring thinking
• special technology and resources
• flexible timetabling.

For more information please contact one of the schools listed above.

Support for gifted and talented learners

Gifted and talented learners may need additional support from parents to feel accepted, valued and have opportunities to interact with peers. Parents may wish to speak to the school about:

• referral to a psychologist, school counsellor or expert in gifted development
• help with subject and career choice, especially where students are accelerated into SACE, vocational training or university
• Individual Education Plans.

Individual education plans for gifted and talented students

Some gifted and talented students may require an Individual Education Plan (IEP) to help guide their learning and ensure their overall wellbeing. Individual Education Plans might be required by students who:

• need significant social or emotional support
• have requirements that cannot be met in their classroom or at the school
• have uneven development between areas such as verbal and non-verbal performance
• have learning difficulties or disabilities that require support
• enroll early in kindergarten or school
• are to be accelerated through a year level
• are assessed by psychologists as being in the 98th percentile or above of the intellectually gifted range and are capable of working at a significantly higher level than classmates of the same age.

Aboriginal children have an individual learning plan that incorporates the curriculum needs of gifted Aboriginal children and students.

Students might be able to access a mentoring program, where they spend time at their school with a mentor offering support and guidance. Mentoring is based on building confidence through positive relationships and shared experiences and can encourage successful participation in school.

Not all schools have active mentoring programs.

Becoming involved

Parents and caregivers can talk to the principal or the classroom teacher to find out if their school has a mentoring program and if their child may benefit from being involved. The principal or teacher might suggest other ways that the school can support the student.

Volunteers as mentors

Volunteers might be matched, screened and trained to mentor students in schools. The aim of a volunteer mentor is to assist students of all ages to reach their full potential by bringing young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement.

Volunteer mentors support students by:

• demonstrating positive relationships
• developing trust, respect and understanding of others
• communicating effectively
• working through problems
• encouraging positive life choices.

The student, mentor and teacher decide together how the time will be spent. Sessions are held at school and might involve:

• developing or researching student's ideas to set goals
• general conversation
• hands-on activities - eg craft, cooking, playing board games or sport.

Becoming volunteer

Adults can volunteer to become community mentors in government primary schools. However, not all schools have a community volunteer mentoring program.

Community mentor volunteers will be assisted by the school to:

• complete a relevant history screening
• undertake training in mentoring and responding to risks of harm, abuse and neglect – education and care fundamentals (RRHAN-EC)
• participate in school-based site induction.

To find out more contact the schools in your area to see if they are running a volunteer mentoring program.

Other school-based mentoring

Students might also be able to receive mentoring from school staff or professional mentors, through their school.

These mentors work one-on-one or in a small group to establish a support plan based on students' individual needs. This support offers guidance and encouragement to:

• develop positive wellbeing and optimism
• improve educational participation and achievement
• develop individual learning plans to improve literacy and numeracy skills
• establish effective relationships
• set positive goals for the future
• build personal, career development and employment skills.

Mentors might be school-based staff, suitably trained professionals or agency mentors. All mentors should:

• undertake mentor training
• complete a screening program
• be supported with ongoing professional development.

Related information

On this site

• People from non-English speaking backgrounds
• Financial assistance
• Curriculum and learning
• Student wellbeing leaders in schools
• Helping your child to learn
• Student support programs
• Learning support for Aboriginal students

Other websites

• Multicultural Affairs - Department of the Premier and Cabinet
• Gifted and Talented Children's Association of South Australia
• Australian Migrant Resource Centre
• The Gifted Education Research, Resource and Information Centre