The purpose of the IEC is to provide intensive English support for newly-arrived, high school aged students, including international students. Year 6 students may also apply to enrol in the IEC.
Students usually stay in the IEC for approximately three to four terms. During this time, they receive intensive English instruction as well as lessons in subjects including:
Mathematics,
Science,
Physical Education,
Social Studies,
Technology,
Home Economics,
Industrial Arts,
Drama and Music.
At the end of the program, students enrol in a mainstream high school. During their stay in the IEC, students also attend sports carnivals, excursions and camps, which are an important and enjoyable part of their education, and also their orientation to Australian life.
The IEC also provides support to help students and their families adapt to Australian life and culture through the use of specially-trained counsellors and bilingual support staff. This support includes parent programs such as the Families in Cultural Transition course which is offered in Arabic and the Skills Workshops programs for students.
Regular attendance is very important because the student's time in the IEC is limited and it is important to maximise this valuable chance to learn English before entering high school.
The IEC has regular parent/teacher evenings to inform parents about their children's progress and also provides detailed student reports at the end of terms 2 and 4.
SCHOOL RULES
In order to maximize students' learning, students must follow school rules at all times. They are:
Wear school uniform everyday
Wear Sports Uniform when required
Follow instructions at all times
Be respectful
Come to school and class on time (if they are late, they must go to the office to get a late note)
Do not eat or drink in class (including chewing gum and lollies)
Bring all the necessary equipment to every lesson
Do not bully anyone
Do not use drugs, e.g. cigarettes
Obtain permission if they need to leave early (in the morning, they must bring a note from their parents or guardians explaining why they are leaving early).
Do not leave the school without permission
Do all assigned class work and homework
SCHOOL COUNSELLORS
School counsellors are teachers who have special training in counsel-ling. School Counsellors are in every government school. They help students of all ages, and their families, from preschool to Year 12. There are 3 counsellors at Miller Technology High School. There is a special counsellor for the IEC for 3 days a week.
HOW DO SCHOOL COUNSELLORS HELP?
School Counsellors:
Help individual students with their problems such as feeling sad or worried about something that has happened at home or at school or in the home country.
Help students learn to live in a new culture and deal with sad-ness of leaving their country. At Miller IEC all students complete a "Settling In" program with the school counsellor.
Help students learn new skills such as:
getting on better with friends
controlling their anger
keeping out of trouble in class
Work out why some students find it hard to learn and suggest ways to help them.
help students deal with tragedies
help teachers make sure that students are not bullied
Parents or carers can talk to the school counsellor about:
how their child is going with their school work
other worries, eg, bad behaviour, nightmares, homework etc.
where their child should go to study after the IEC
how to get help from other community services outside school.
