International Students
Mr Brian Smith - Director of International Students
The International Student Support Team from left to right; Mr Brian Smith, Ms In Sun Chang, Ms Gwen Harper, Ms Sylvia Ponnusamy, Mr John Pittendrich, Ms Siew Pyng Lim and Ms Hong-yi Kuhn.
Mentone Grammar, founded in 1923, is a leading independent school situated in the safe and friendly beach-side suburb of Mentone in the City of Melbourne. Expert staff, small class sizes and innovative programs contribute to Mentone’s ongoing success.
Mentone Grammar has welcomed international students for over 50 years. Today students from countries including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, Korea, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, India, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan comprise approximately 8% of our senior school enrolments.
Outstanding results
The School is well known for outstanding results in the Year 12 (VCE) examinations with 100% pass rate: 30 % of students gain results in the top 10% for Australia, 90% in the top 50% and 100% qualify to enter good Australian universities and colleges.
Selected advanced students are able to take first year university courses from Melbourne and Monash Universities while they complete Year 12. Also many students are selected to participate in National Science and Business workshops within Universities in Melbourne and Sydney.
Education of the whole person
Discipline in the School is strong and students are expected to work hard and complete homework each night. Mentone Grammar aims to provide a well-rounded education with a strong emphasis also on sport, music, drama, creative arts, debating and outdoor education.
Optimum time to enrol
Mentone Grammar is registered to enrol International Students at all levels from the start of primary schooling through to Year 12 at the end of secondary schooling. Our experience shows, however, that the best time for an International Student to enrol for optimum success in Year 12 (VCE) examinations is when they have completed Year 9 or Year 10 in their own system and is between 15 & 17 years old. At this age a student generally has sufficient maturity to cope with the challenges of studying in a different culture away from home, while it still allows sufficient time to become adjusted to the new culture and to build the necessary language skills before the all important senior two years.
Accommodation
The School offers Homestay Accommodation, which the School arranges and supervises with carefully selected and monitored, local Australian families. This option provides a good opportunity for international students in Years 9-12 to settle into the Australian lifestyle, practise English and make friends.
For a student below the age of 14, it is strongly recommended that they live with a relative or close family friend. Older students may do the same, but the majority of our international students choose to live in accommodation organised by the School.
In addition the School considers it important that each international student should have a Guardian, preferably living in Melbourne, and appointed by and known to the parents, to provide personal and practical support outside the School environment. The Guardian would be expected to take an interest in all aspects of the student’s welfare.
Note: The School will not permit a student, regardless of age, to live alone or share a house with other students without the supervision of a mature adult.
Monitoring performance and well-being
A dedicated support team assist each student to transition into the school smoothly and monitor his or her ongoing performance and well-being. All students have daily pastoral care from a Mentor and House Coordinator as well as access to counselling services. The Careers Counsellor guides each student with subject selection and careers advice, and assists with application to universities and other tertiary institutions.
Reporting to parents and guardians
A written report is issued each term and sent to parents, guardians and homestay families. In addition, parents and guardians of international students may contact the Director of International Students at any time by telephone fax or email for up-to-date information about their child’s progress.
Intensive English Language (ESL)
For students who join the school in Year 10 and below, there is an Intensive English and High School Preparation Program, if required, designed to assist students with their English and help them to adjust to the demands of the Australian school system.
Students may join in either July or February for approximately 20 weeks. About 50% of class time is devoted to English in small groups, and students also join Australian students for Mathematics, Sport and some other subjects.
On successful completion of this course students will progress to the next year level and will do all subjects with Australian students.
There is no additional charge for this program.
Facilities and Resources
Mentone Grammar has many fine facilities. Some of these include the high-tech world-class Science and Environmental Studies Centre; PC & Mac computer laboratories, Library/resource/study centre, Music School, Drama Centre, Careers Centre, Aquatic Centre, two gymnasiums and 17 hectares of playing fields in a beautiful Australian landscape (for major games such as soccer, football, cricket, tennis, hockey and rugby).
For further information or to discuss your enrolment please contact:
The Enrolment Office
Telephone: +6 13 9584 4211
Facsimile: +6 13 9581 3290
Email: internationalstudents@mentonegrammar.net
Enrolment
To apply for enrolment at Mentone Grammar there are a number of procedures that should be followed. These procedures, and links to current fees, can be found on this page.
After reading the information, the 'Registration for Enrolment' and 'Application and Agreement for Enrolment' forms can be downloaded using the links on this page. Please complete these forms and return to The Enrolment Office, Mentone Grammar, 63 Venice Street, Mentone Victoria 3194, Australia.