International students unable to start their Australian education due to border restrictions can now continue their studies remotely through the new WACE Prep course for Years 9 and 10 students.
The course is part of ASC International’s REAL Program – Remote Education Anywhere Live – which caters for international students enrolled in English language courses and mainstream ASC schools.
The WACE Prep course is a partnership between ASC International and Peter Moyes Anglican Community School. ASC International Director Amanda Fritz said WACE Prep allowed students to start their Australian studies via remote learning until they were able to join their peers on campus.
“WACE Prep is a mainstream middle school option so students can commence their Australian pathway with us while they are at home and without delay,” she said.
“The ASC Language School conducts the English classes while specialist teachers from Peter Moyes Anglican Community School teach maths, science and humanities.”
Peter Moyes Anglican Community School Principal Benjamin Lomas said the students from Vietnam, Hong Kong, China and Saudi Arabia were thriving in the program.
“All classes are conducted remotely with our specialist teachers. They have their own class and timetable which includes tutorial sessions to consolidate all their learning.”
Mr Lomas said the School had sent orientation hampers to students to ensure they felt a part of the Peter Moyes family, with a School shirt, pin and yearbook included, along with a toy kangaroo and some Australian snacks.
Minh Tuan Tran, a Year 9 student living in Ho Chi Minh city, was delighted to receive his hamper as part of his Orientation to the REAL Middle School program.
“I never thought COVID-19 would result in travel restrictions worldwide and was quite disappointed about having to defer my studies,” he said.
While hesitant at first, Minh said he soon realised the routine worked well for him.
“The learning platforms work quite well, and my Australian teachers are very caring and patient. It’s easy to maintain my focus and the course is well-paced with ample time for Question & Answer sessions. I am enjoying the course very much.”
Mrs Fritz said while the program evolved to fill a gap during the global pandemic, it provided an option for gradual entry into Australian education and would possibly expand to Year 7 and 8 students in the future.
