Celebrating new arrivals to Australia in Refugee Week (June 14 – 20) has a very practical meaning at Callaghan College in Newcastle, on Awabakal land, where students who are new to English receive intensive language support and orientation to the local and Australian way of life.

While all schools offer High Potential and Gifted Education (HPGE) programs, at the College’s Jesmond Senior campus, realising the high potential of Year 11 and 12 students from refugee and non-refugee backgrounds is a priority.

Principal Peter Riley said, while the IGNITE program’s core was lifting new English skills to a level for further education or employment, it was also an introduction to living and working in the local area.

“Our English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) staff and bilingual support staff are critical to improving students’ English,” Mr Riley said

“But their personal connections with the students also extend to support in numeracy, which has its own vocabulary anyway, social and emotional skills, and career planning.

“Through extending our HPGE program, we’re delighted to offer what’s effectively a whole-of-culture introduction invaluable to students no matter which path they choose after school.”

Students receive individual support in job readiness, TAFE and university orientation, work experience and work opportunities, including in the school’s IGNITE Hair and Beauty Salon, servicing students and staff on site.

Support is also provided in applying for financial scholarships to help with education costs, with more than twenty students successful so far.