Contents

1. Administration

2. Class etiquette

3. Student culture

4. Interacting with teachers

5. School events

 

1. Administration

Administration, or admin for short, is a key component of all schools in Australia. It can refer to two things: the admin office and the administration system at school. Both are really important for you to understand.
 

Let’s start with the admin office. It is the front desk of the school, and the teachers there usually handle admin tasks and visitors. Remember to go to the admin office if you:

• Are lost

• Don’t know what/where your next class is

• Need something sent from home to school

• Lost your student ID card

• Need to find a specific teacher
   

If you are new at an Australian school, you should always locate where the admin office is, so that you always have somewhere to go if you need help!

 

Next, administration tasks. Some of the things that fall under this are:

• Timetabling

• Email system

• Student portal

• Permission forms
   

Timetabling

You may have already received your Australian timetable. Something that’s different from schools in your home country may be that we have a two-week class rotation. This means that you don’t simply repeat your classes every week, but rather, fortnightly. If you are a high school student, you might also notice that there are gaps on your timetable. This is what we call ‘spares’, and you are usually free to do your own tasks during this time. Usually, students are not allowed to leave during spares, unless you have no more classes after it. If you have a spare during the first period, you might also be allowed to come to school late.
 

Email system

In Australia, email is the way to contact your teachers and other students. Your school might use Gmail or Microsoft Outlook, as these are the most popular platforms. Usually, teachers’ emails follow the same format, and those of students would have the same format. Please note that some teachers may not appreciate receiving emails outside working hours or during the holidays, so try as much as possible to send emails during the school day (you can use the ‘schedule send’ function to control what time your email goes out). If you need to discuss something urgently, though, you can sent emails anytime. Your teacher might or might not respond, and that is up to them.
 

Student portal

There is usually an online portal from which you can view your timetable, class assignments, and school reports. Usually, the school will provide you with a username, and you will be able to set the password. It is the place for you to see your grades, check your classes, and stay up to date with what is happening at school.
 

Permission forms

In Australia, very strict laws exist regarding duty of care. When there is a planned excursion (e.g. school camp, day trip), your parent/guardian will usually be required to sign a permission form which will be returned to the admin office. Often, you will need to pass on this permission form to your parent/guardian. Please also make sure that your medical information is up to date so that teachers are aware of what to do in case there is an emergency.

 

2. Class etiquette

As in any country, class etiquette is very important in Australia. In primary school, the teacher’s expectations for you will usually be written up on a poster. Generally, make sure to follow seating plans, raise your hand before you speak, and ask before going to the toilet. Certain teachers don’t like it when students drink water in class, but generally you can do so.
 

Remember to keep all talking to a whisper volume when in class, and don’t take out your mobile phone. In Years 11 and 12 you may be allowed your mobile phone in class, but teachers don’t appreciate it when you use it for things other than class work.

 

3. Student culture

In Australia, you tend to become quite close with your classmates because of the small class size (~20 people/class). Students are also put into houses, just like how Harry Potter was put in Gryffindor. Each school usually has four houses (bigger schools might have six), and you are expected to compete on behalf of your house in sports, singing, and arts events to gain house points.
 

There are typically two breaks in the school day in Australia: recess and lunch. Recess is the time to eat a light snack, and in primary school, you might play some short games like handball with your friends. Lunch is usually longer (1 hour), and you can bring your own food or purchase food from the school café. This is the time to really talk with your friends, play some games if time allows for it, or even have a meeting with a teacher if you really need help (this is more for high school).
 

If you are in high school, we highly encourage you to join sports teams. They are a great place to meet people and make friends regardless of language abilities. School clubs are also a great opportunity. They can meet as often as weekly, and you will get to make friends across year levels.

 

4. Interacting with teachers

In Australia, refer to your teachers by Mr (male), Ms (female), or Mrs (female and married) followed by their family name. If you do not know if a female teacher is married or not, always default to ‘Ms’. Some teachers may want you to use their first name. If this is the case, they will let you know.
 

Generally, speak formally with teachers. Say ‘Good morning’ or ‘Good afternoon’, and make sure to say ‘Thank you’ when leaving their class. Generally, if you really need a teacher, you can find them at their office at school. You can also email them to find a suitable time for a meeting.
 

Teachers change every year, so make sure to write a small thank-you card for the teachers you really appreciate at the end of the school year. Teachers are not supposed to communicate with you on casual platforms, so never request to follow your teacher on Instagram!

 

5. School events

These events, or variations of them, typically exist in every Australian school:

• School camp (once every year)

• House sports

• House swimming

• House cross country

• Celebration night/gala

• Staff days: no school for students

• Parent-teacher interviews

Most school events are compulsory, so you must attend unless you have a valid reason. Though school events can sometimes be boring, they are actually one of the best ways to bond with other students. Therefore, unless you are sick or unable to participate, make sure to attend all school events!

 

Conclusion

Settling down in a school in Australia can be a challenging process. It can appear difficult to make friends and understand what is going on around you. Make sure to give yourself some time: it is normal to be confused, and sometimes, there may not be clear progress made for a while. However, never forget that you will find like-minded people, and you will become a veteran at your school. So don’t give up, and keep an optimistic mindset