The Kogarah High School Welcome Program aims to support newly arrived students from non-English speaking backgrounds with their transition to high school. The program provides orientation, introduces students to key staff and school expectations, and helps students develop study skills over two introductory days and follow-up sessions. It identifies students from refugee, intensive English centers or international backgrounds and involves deputies, teachers, counselors and peer mentors. The program covers school tours, rules, course options and dealing with challenges. Student feedback found the organizational sessions and meeting staff were most helpful for transitioning successfully.

1. Kogarah High SchoolWelcome program (designed by Equity Programs and Distance Education Directorate Multicultural Programs Unit) created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

2. The Welcome ProgramPurpose of the program To support newly arrived students from language backgrounds other than English (LBOTE)(Refugee, ESL & International students) during their transition to high school. created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

4. To assist staff to identify new students and assess, monitor and address their welfare and educational needs.

5. To help new students understand school expectations and their responsibilities.

6. To raise students’ awareness of their own strengths, skills and goals.

7. To support students in developing appropriate study and learning skills.

8. To make initial links with students’ parents/carerscreated by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

10. Orientation to learning at high school

11. Increased understanding of high school routines and expectations

12. Connections formed with key high school staff

13. School networks within groups and with high school buddies

14. Feel welcomed and supported

15. Know how to ask for help

16. Decreased anxietycreated by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

17. The Welcome ProgramIdentifying students for the program Students from refugee backgrounds IEC students International students created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

18. The Welcome ProgramWho is involved? Deputy Principal Head Teacher Support and Learning ESL Teacher (High School) IEC Counsellor Buddies (Peer Support) created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

19. Program OutlineWeek 7: Identifying the students exiting to KHS created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

20. The Welcome ProgramProgram Outline for the two days The welcome program aims to provide students with coordinated support on enrolment and for a term following their enrolment in high school. The recommended structure: 2 days of last week of each term (comprising of 7 sessions) Additional follow up session in the following term. created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

21. The Welcome ProgramProgram Outline Day 1 Session 1Orientation to the high school School tour Introductions to key staff members in school Session 2 High School Expectation School expectations School rules Introduction to the school programs School Uniform Session 3 Getting Organised School equipment Homework survey Term planner Homework and study plan Homework centre run at school (please refer to the Welcome booklet) created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

22. The Welcome ProgramProgram Outline Day 1 (contd) Session 4 Study and assessment Homework and study Different ways of learning Improve your skills Active study cards Types of assessments (long and short) Assessments task analysis Session 5 Choices and pathways NSW education system Personal strengths Short and long term goals (please refer to the Welcome booklet) created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

23. The Welcome ProgramProgram Outline Day 2 School experience Session 6 Challenges at high school Scenarios Possible solutions Cyber bullying Session 7 My journey so far Dealing with stress Student Evaluation (please refer to the Welcome booklet) created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

24. Program outline for the students- Day 1Students meet the ESL teacher in the Principals quad created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

25. Program outline for the students- Day 1 created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

26. Program outline for the students- Day 2students meet the ESL teacher in the Principal’s quad created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

27. Student Evaluation created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

28. Some comments from students about the program “I know some of my teachers now” “program good. It let me know what should I do in class- get my equipment, rules in the class and not make noise” “Raa video great, very funny, read book very important.” “walking around the school, meeting new teachers very good” ‘getting organised session and expectations was very good” created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

30. Enrolment process took time

31. Sports selection took time

32. Liaising with the executive staff for time tablescreated by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School

33. The Welcome Program Please have a look at the Welcome Booklet. Any suggestion to improve the booklet are welcomed  created by Pooja Verma ESL Teacher/Coordinator Kogarah High School