Why has Internationalism become such a big deal at Henley High?

Three years ago, a team of leaders and teachers at Henley reviewed our International Student programs: after long and honest research, conversation and discussion with IES in State Office we made a commitment to invest in Team International.

Why?  There were three main reasons.

• We believed our community – staff, students and parents – needed to develop a global awareness.
• The Australia curriculum and Federal Government were talking about awareness of all things Asia. 
• We had a group of leaders and teachers who were passionate about cultural understanding and international programs.

What was/is the investment? 

• It has been about spending time looking after visiting agents, government officials,  teachers, parents and students from many countries in Asia, but also Europe, South America and Mexico.
• We continue to foster and promote strong sister relationships with schools in South East Asia and  Germany; we are arranging student and staff visits.
• We are travelling to visit our overseas partners during our holidays to strengthen our partnerships.
• We are buddies and homestays. We introduce our International visitors to all things Australian – fauna reserves, wineries, beach, China town, museums and Universities.
• We are being shadowed by visitors, challenged in our philosophies and systems.
• We look after our Graduates and Study Abroad students – provide additional support as required, help them with pathways, their studies, and their wellbeing.
• We have an ISEC class for new study abroad and graduate students to support them to learn English.

Some of the new programs in the last 18 months have been life changing for our students and staff.  Six students accepted an invitation to visit their buddies in Cambodia.  Four students accepted an invitation to a youth leadership summit in Japan.  Students will have the opportunity to visit Kofu and China this year as well as participate in the world challenge program.  Staff have travelled/will travel to Thailand, New Caledonia, India, Japan, China, and South Korea.  We are hosting Study Tours from Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, New Caledonia, Cambodia, Japan, with ongoing conversations about visits from Brazil, Malaysia, Vietnam, Germany, Sweden and China.

Already we are seeing our student leadership skills, their independence and resilience and communication and problem solving skills grow. They continue to use their ICT skills to maintain communication with their buddies. Parent feedback has been most encouraging and enthusiastic. While we continue to need more and more homestays, those who are part of our program are equally committed and enthusiastic. Jason Forrest, one of our leaders, is on a teacher exchange in Japan in 2014. Other staff are now considering similar cultural exchanges as a professional development opportunity. Our overseas partners are very keen for our staff to teach and support their staff in their English programs.

Members of Team International are excited, challenged, rewarded, by the growth in our students but also the maturity our students have shown as ambassadors for our school and our education system when travelling overseas. We now hope to develop further our student leadership program to ensure these travellers and buddies continue  to grow and be challenged as well as become strong role models for their peers as well as outstanding guides to visitors and homestays.

Liz