Year 12 student, Du Du, is part of the EAL (English as an Additional Language) program that spent a memorable day exploring Kooyoora State Park back in March.
The students were immersed in the Australian bush as they explored the beauty and grandeur of Kooyoora including a hike to the Southern Lookout and Melville Caves
For Du Du it’s an enduring and special memory of her time at the college.
She looks forward to coming to school each day and describes the college as ‘friendly’ and ‘interesting’ and really enjoys the relaxed and supportive atmosphere of the EAL program.
Du Du was nervous about beginning at a college the size of BSSC despite arriving with a group of friends. Though she is naturally shy, Du Du says her confidence to speak with others has grown enormously during her time at BSSC.
“At my previous school I felt I was looked at like a stranger,” she says. “When I came to BSSC I didn’t expect people to be so friendly, or the teachers to be so helpful, but everyone has been so welcoming.
“My teachers are amazing and I’ve made lots of new friends in the EAL program and my VET Hospitality class. Lots of funny stuff happens in our classes all the time which I really enjoy.”
Du Du began to learn simple English words and phrases such as ‘hello’ and ‘what is your name?’ when she was around eight or nine years old. She has used her time at BSSC to progress much more quickly with her language studies.
“The Homework Club has been really important,” she says. “I get through a lot more work because of this program.”
The Homework Club runs each Tuesday afternoon with EAL teachers joined by community volunteers to give students—many from a refugee background—intensive support with their studies.
Graduating this year, Du Du now has her sights set on life beyond BSSC. She has a close relative with a disability and would love to become a disability worker in the future.
“That’s my dream,” she says. “To work with people in the disability area would be so rewarding.”
