As a student at Marsden IEC your educational needs are supported by a variety of services such as:

Interpreting and translating services: Bi-lingual teacher’s aides (ethnic) are available in selected languages on a daily basis to support students in the classroom as well as in extra-curricular activities.

Counselling services: The school counsellor, who is a qualified psychologist, is always willing to assist with emotional problems associated with settling in to a new life in Australia. The counsellor also performs tests to detect learning difficulties, psychological disorders, or gifted and talented abilities.

Special Needs support: Students who have been identified by the counsellor as meeting certain special needs criteria will be given extra support in terms of smaller classes, extension of stay, individual literacy program and counselling support.

School Experience Transition (S.E.T.) program: In your last term at the IEC you will be given the opportunity to visit for three days the high school which will enrol you after you leave the IEC. In these three days you will be paired up with a “buddy” who will show you his/her classes, teachers and facilities around the school. After the SET visit you will have a chance to evaluate your experience and IEC teachers will help you to overcome any problems so that your transition from the IEC to the high school will be as smooth as possible.

Health services: Preliminary checks are provided to detect any vision, aural and dental irregularities which may be referred for specialist treatment.

Excursions: Classroom learning needs to be supported by external social experiences which can only be provided by excursions. Excursion experiences stimulate students to write and express their feelings via text-types such as recount, discussion and exposition. Some memorable excursions have included Canberra, Milson Island camp, Sydney symphony orchestra, Schools Spectacular, Reptile park, Taronga zoo, Bondi sculptures by the sea, Aboriginal dancing performances, West Head and the Basin.

Visiting speakers: From time to time, visiting speakers are invited to address students on issues which are relevant to their understanding of Australian society and culture. Invitations have included aboriginal culture representatives, police officers, surf life savers, scout leaders and life education facilitators.

Swimming and water safety program: Selected students are taught how to swim by specialist instructors. Students may also learn about the knowledge and skills of water safety in Australia such as recognising beach warning signs, dangers of rock fishing, skin protection from the sun and basic emergency care.

Families in cultural transition (F.I.C.T.) program: Parents in selected community groups are encouraged to come to meetings at school organised by the FICT co-ordinator and the counsellor. These meetings aim to provide a forum for parents who speak the same language to meet informally to discuss common issues related to the migrant or refugee experience such as education, health, finance, housing and transport.