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The course advances students’ English language proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking, and develops students’ understanding of Australian culture and education system.

Students requiring additional English preparation must be applying for entry to Year 10 or a lower year level.

ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½â€™s Coordinator of International Students and EAL will conduct an interview with a prospective PCP student in person or via video chat online.

The student will need to provide two past school reports and any other relevant documentation. A recommendation will be given as to how long the student will need to study the PCP before beginning mainstream classes.

The PCP staff monitor closely each student’s progress in the program and report regularly on this progress to parents and caregivers at the end of each term. To assess students undertaking the PCP, the ACARA Language and Literacy Levels are used. The Language and Literacy Levels across the Australian Curriculum and describe the development of Standard Australian English required to meet the increasing demands of the Australian Curriculum across the years of schooling.

Topics of study in the PCP include an overview of the Australian education system; cultural comparisons; Australian sense of humour; Australian politics and democracy; Australian multiculturalism; Australian sports culture; and Australian, South Australian and Indigenous history. PCP students also learn how to access pastoral care support at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ and academic resources to support their learning journey.

Students participating in the PCP take part fully in student life at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ – they wear school uniform and attend tutorials, house meetings, assemblies, excursions and camps. They can, and are encouraged to, participate in sport and other extra-curricular activities. There is the opportunity to have individual instrumental lessons and join choirs and bands if they wish.

When in the PCP, students undertake a minimum of two subjects with their mainstream cohort, often these include Mathematics and more broader curriculum based subjects such as Physical Education or Art. This will differ for each child based on year level and timetabling. This gives PCP students another opportunity to connect with their peers and make friends within the cohort, ready for their transition into full-time mainstream study.

Additional information regarding entering the PCP

• For students applying for a student visa, time in the PCP is undertaken as part of their Years 7-10 course, a separate Confirmation of Enrolment is not needed.
• When submitting an online application for ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, families should nominate when they want to join ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ including time in the PCP, not when they hope to start mainstream classes. The commencement date on any offer made is the start of the student’s time at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½, including any time to be spent in the PCP.
• The cost of participation in the PCP is included within tuition fees, no additional payment is necessary.
• When the initial interview with the Coordinator of International Students and EAL is conducted well in advance of the planned commencement date (i.e. more than 12 months), there will usually be another interview conducted closer to the start date and the Admissions Department will liaise with families regarding this.