Holroyd Intensive English Centre provides English language courses for newly arrived ESL (English as a Second Language) students in preparation for further study in a mainstream high school. Students learn English through the wide variety of subjects they will encounter when they exit to high school.

 Click on the following links for more detailed information

 Where is Holroyd?

 Who can enrol?

 How to enrol

 How are classes structured?

 Curriculum

 Staff-    Teaching

            Teacher’s Aides

            Counsellors

            Administration

            Languages supported

 Student Support programs & services

 Excursions

 Sports carnivals

 Extra curricular activities

 Facilities

 Frequently Asked Questions

Holroyd is located in the western suburbs of Sydney near the historical suburb of Parramatta.

 The school can be found in the Gregory’s Sydney Street Directory.

 The Centre is easily accessed by direct school bus services and public bus services from Parramatta and Merrylands stations.

 School buses depart Parramatta Station and Merrylands Station from approximately 8:00am each morning.

 Public bus routes 813 and 815 from these stations also service the school.

Students are eligible to enrol if:

• They are between the ages of 11½ and 18 ½.

• They have not completed high school in their country of origin.
• Their first language is not English and they require ESL support.
• They are permanent residents, International fee paying students or have an appropriate temporary visa (fees may be payable). For further information regarding visas and fees, please contact the Centre on (02) 9896 1172.
• They have been in Australia less than six months and have not attended any other English course.
• They live in the drawing area for Holroyd IEC.

How to enrol

Once the student has arrived in Australia, telephone the Centre on (02) 9896 1172 to make an enrolment appointment.

Enrolment interviews are held every Thursday during the academic year.

When making the appointment, the Centre will require the following information: the student’s name, address, date of birth, date of arrival in Australia, language spoken, visa subclass and an indication of the level of English spoken.

New students then start classes on the Monday following the enrolment interview.

How are classes structured?

Students are placed into stage 4 (years 7 and 8) or stage 5 (years 9 and 10) classes according to their ages.

Within each stage, students are then divided into:           Level 1- for students with little or no English

                        Level 2- for students with a basic level of English

                        Level 3- for students with functional English, who only need a short period of support before exiting to high school

Progression from one level to the next is based on the achievement of the core outcome requirements for each level.

In stage 5, students may also study a vocational education program if this is deemed to be more appropriate.

Curriculum

All teaching and learning programs are developed in accordance to the requirements of:

·        The NSW Board of Studies Syllabus documents

·        The Intensive English Program Curriculum Framework document.

·         The levels of the NSW Department of Education’s ESL Scales document.

The curriculum varies depending on the level of the student’s English

Level 1                         Level 2 & 3                 

English                          English

Mathematics                             Mathematics

Science                                    Science

Geography                               Geography

Art                                           Art

Physical Education                    Physical Education

Food Technology                     History

Music                                       Computer Studies

Stage 5 Vocational Education

The Centre is currently trialling different delivery models to meet the needs of enrolled students.                      

Staff-

Teaching

All teachers hold appropriate academic and teaching qualifications in the teaching of ESL and at least one other teaching method. Many teachers also speak another language other than English.

 Teacher’s Aides

Teacher’s aides assist with interpreting and translating for teachers, students and parents by their involvement in enrolment interviews, participation in class and assistance with enquiries.

  Counsellors

Two school counsellors are available to support students and/or families experiencing difficulties in a wide variety of areas. Students may self refer for support or they may be referred by their teachers. All interaction with the school counsellors is strictly confidential.

 Administration

The administration (office) staff supports the centre through the attention to all administrative duties and record maintenance requirements.

 Languages supported

Presently, the languages the centre can offer assistance with, through staff support, include: Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian, Thai, Burmese, Kurdish, Farsi, Dari, Vietnamese, Krio, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Turkish and Polish.

Settling In

Multilit

Links

TAFE tasters

Gateways

After school tutoring

Student Assistance

International students’ co-ordinator

Library/ID cards

Excursions

All students attend approximately three excursions per term. Excursions form an important part of our program with class work relating to the excursion occurring before, during and after the event.

 All excursions are compulsory as they relate directly to the teaching and learning programs studied by the class and give the students first hand experience with the study matter.

 Excursions also assist with the settlement and acculturation processes for students new to the country.

 Parents who have concerns or questions regarding an excursion are encouraged to seek clarification by contacting the centre.

Sports carnivals

IEC students participate in the school’s calendar of sporting events that include:

• The annual swimming carnival- for those students that can swim.
•  The annual athletics carnival.
• The annual cross country carnival.

Age winners may then represent the school at area, regional and state level. Recently an IEC student attended the state cross country championships, placing 2^nd in the state after having been in the country just over one year.

 Facilities

IEC students use all the facilities of Holroyd High School which include:

• Two libraries- the main school library and a smaller, IEC library
• Science laboratories
• Computer laboratories
• Kitchens
• Textiles room
• Woodwork and metalwork rooms
• Art rooms
• Music room
• Canteen
• Several playing fields
• Games courts- indoor and outdoor
• Gymnasium

 Extra curricular activities

Chess club

Knockout sport competitions

Choir

Opera Education

City to Surf fun run

Frequently asked questions

Q: Is the IEC a government or private facility?

A: The IEC is a government facility funded by the Australian Federal government.

Q: Is there a boys or girls only IEC?

A: No. All IECs in NSW are co-educational.

Q: Are there tuition fees?

A: Only international students and students on some temporary visa categories pay tuition fees.

Q: Is there a school uniform?

A: Yes. Students in the IEC wear the junior uniform of Holroyd High School.

Q: How long can a student stay in the IEC?

A: Students are permitted an enrolment period of three to four terms, depending on their circumstances, with the possibility of an extension term, if approved. International students are permitted two terms, with the possibility of an extension term, if approved.

Q: Can I go to Holroyd IEC if I do not live in its drawing area?

A: Yes. If there are vacancies and you obtain a clearance from your in area IEC.

Q: What do I do if I cannot afford to buy the uniform?

A: You may apply for student assistance through Holroyd High School.

Q: Do I have to buy textbooks?

A: No. Textbooks are provided, on loan, by the IEC. Students must provide their note books and other writing materials.

Q: How do I arrange the high school enrolment after the IEC?

A: The IEC assists parents with this process. All is explained at a meeting prior to the student’s exit.