Parafield Gardens High School has a growing international program.
Parafield High School is valued for our cultural diversity, our extensive support for students and our vibrant learning communities.
With staff and students from over 40 non English-speaking backgrounds, it’s an amazing opportunity to be part of our many cultural celebrations, such as Harmony Week, Gala Day and other wonderful opportunities. International students are made to feel welcome, be part of our school culture and their Australian experience at PGHS is a truly multicultural one.
Many local students study English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD); international students are supported with explicit English language instruction through EALD classes and with effective teaching across all subjects. When numbers permit, an Intensive Secondary English course (ISEC) may also be available.
Parafield Gardens High School has high expectations and high support for our learners. We are one of few schools who boast extensive support teams which empower and connect students with resources they need:
- Multicultural Team who support diverse learners
- Bilingual School Support Officers (Vietnamese, Khmer, Burmese, Hakha Chin, Dari, Farsi, Hazaragi, Persian, Arabic)
- Extensive wellbeing team including leaders, youth workers, social worker, counsellors
- Additional support and regular check ins for International Students
- International Student opportunities, events and excursions
The school enrolls students into several programs available for overseas students. These include:
The Graduate Program for long-term international students.
Students choose the Graduate Program if they wish to complete their senior studies in South Australia and gain the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE). International students stay in government-approved and managed homestay accommodation, or with nominated homestays who are family friends or relatives.
Study Abroad Program.
Students choose the study abroad program if they wish to spend a short time studying in Australia before returning to complete their secondary education in their home country. Students may choose a three, six, nine or twelve-month course. Students stay in government-approved and managed homestay accommodation.
Students study in mainstream classes (including EALD where required) to improve their use of the English language and to learn about life and education in Australia.
Short-term Visits.
Small groups of students on study/cultural visits have programs ranging from one to four weeks. Programs include English classes, experience of mainstream lessons in buddy classes and excursions in and around Adelaide.
ISEC
When numbers permit, we run an Intensive Secondary English Course (ISEC) class for students with a beginning level of English. This is for the first 6 months of their time here. When there are insufficient numbers to run this program, students have the opportunity to undertake ISEC at a nearby school and upon completion, enrol in Parafield Gardens High School (PGHS). Occasionally, students who are at the very beginning stages of learning English may be referred to the Adelaide Secondary School of English so that they can build a stronger foundation for learning English.
The ISEC course provides four subjects of explicit English teaching (English, Australian Studies, Maths and Science) and also provides support with transition to studying in an Australian school context and with becoming a part of the PGHS school community. Once students have completed their ISEC course, they join mainstream classes, while continuing to receive extra support in English through their English as an Additional Language (EALD) classes.
Connections with schools overseas.
PGHS has a sister school partnership with Yokohama Hitorizawa High School from Yokohama, Japan. Currently, students are involved in online interactions. In 2025, overseas exchange programs ran for the first time since 2019. Opportunities to participate on a school Japan trip will be available every second year for students studying Japanese who are year 10 or above.
For more information about studying abroad in South Australia, please contact:
International Education Services
Department for Education
PO Box 1152
Adelaide SA 5001
Telephone: +61 8 8226 3402 | Fax: +61 8 8410 4842,
Email: education.isp@schools.sa.edu.au
Website: Studying abroad in South Australia
South Australian Government Schools can help you enrol to study abroad at our school. For other enquiries about studying abroad please contact the International Education Services office at education.isp@schools.sa.edu.au or call (08) 8226 3402.
