Sunbury Downs College welcomes all international students and their families to our community

Sunbury Downs College is a vibrant Year 7 to 12 coeducational secondary college, offering a rich educational experience in an environment that encourages excellent outcomes for all students.

The college offers a wide range of programs catering for all students, with a strong emphasis on developing individual wellbeing and positive interpersonal relationships.

Students belong to one of two ‘mini schools’, Middle Years (7-9); and Later Years (10-12), with year-level coordinators working with homegroup and classroom teachers.

Sunbury Downs College has a comprehensive educational program including English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Health and Physical Education, Arts, Technology and Languages (Italian). The college also offers a range of VCE subjects, including Vocational Education and Training (VET) together with a structured VCE Vocational Major program in Years 11 and 12, catering for students with an interest in applied learning.

Sunbury Downs College offers an Accelerated Curriculum and Enrichment (ACE) program, extending students through a challenging curriculum including early commencement of VCE. The ACE program is a select entry course with enrolment from feeder primary schools for students in Years 7 to 9.

The college offers a wide range of inclusive activities and programs which cater to all students, including debating, maths club, band and choir. There are year level and specialized camps and excursions that complement the teaching and learning program. It offers instrumental music and presents a highly acclaimed musical production, enabling students to excel in an environment that fosters participation, responsibility and teamwork outside the classroom. Students are allocated to one of four Houses (Aitken, Evans, Jackson, Mitchell) on enrolment, with an inter-school sporting program offering students the opportunity to represent the school at the local level.

The college values of Respect, Resilience, Ambition and Community are embedded within the school’s teaching and learning practices. These core values support a culture of participation and excellence based on developing positive relationships and personal growth by all community members.

General Safety Information

• Victorian Emergency Services - Emergency Information Portal
  • In the event of an life threatening or serious emergency please call 000 
  • For non urgent Police assistance - please call 131 444 
• Fire Safety
  • Country Fire Authority - Home Safety Advice
  • Metropolitan Fire Brigade - Home Safety Advice
• Water Safety
  • Life Saving Victoria - Multicultural Advice
• Road Safety
  • VicRoads - Safety & Road Rules
  • TAC - Road Safety
• Sun Safety

Health Services

• Private Health Insurance for overseas students
  Local Services
  • Sunbury Community Health Centre - General Community Health Services including Medical & Dental or further advice
  • Vineyard Medical Centre - Medical & Dental

Legal Services
There are many legal services available to international students and their families. We advise that they seek assistance when required from a variety of sources. Some local service providers are listed below:

• Legal help at Study Melbourne Student Centre
• Fair Work Ombudsman - Visa Holders & migrants
• Local Service Provider - McClure Law

Public Transport
Sunbury Downs College is accessible via Public Transport with a bus stop directly outside the college, linking to Sunbury Station for easy access via train to Melbourne and other suburbs. 

• Public Transport Victoria Website
  • Travelling on the network
  • School Students - Sunbury Downs College Student ID Card is approved by PTV
  • Resources in other languages
• Sunbury Train Station
• Bus Stop (Route 485)

Shopping and other commercial services

• Sunbury Square - Shopping Centre adjacent to the Sunbury Train Station

Other Key Information:

• Victorian Government School International Student Program Website

International Student Program Governing Bodies

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Victoria

• International Student obligations and entitlements - Victorian Government Schools: International Student Program - Study Vic

• Victoria’s Education and Training Regulator - VRQA

• Child Safe Standards - All Victorian organisations that provide services or facilities to children are required by law to comply with the Child Safe Standards.

• The Victorian Government is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.
  Department program: - PROTECT.

Australia

• ESOS Framework

The Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000, or ESOS Act, establishes legislative requirements and standards for the quality assurance of education and training institutions offering courses to international students who are in Australia on a student visa.  ESOS also provides tuition fee protection for international students.

• National Code 2018

  • ​The National Code of Practice for Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students 2018 (National Code 2018) supports the National Strategy for International Education 2025 to advance Australia as a global leader in education, training and research.

  • The National Code is a legislative instrument made under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 and sets nationally consistent standards to support providers to deliver quality education and training to overseas students.

• Australian Government - Department of Home Affairs

Students and their guardians can stay up to date with regard to Visa conditions and their responsibilities when holding such a visa.