Milpera State High School is a unique and vibrant educational institution totally dedicated to the settlement and English language development of recently arrived migrants from a non-English speaking background. Whatever the reasons for migration to Australia, all Milpera students will receive a high-quality education designed to develop their English language skills and equip them for further study. While the development of English language skills is the primary focus, students are also taught Mathematics, Science and Health and Physical Education.
The staff at Milpera are extremely dedicated and well qualified with all English teachers having formal qualifications in Teaching English as a Second or Other language (TESOL). All of the students who come to Milpera are speakers of languages other than English when they arrive. Some are children of business or work migrants, some are joining family already in Australia, and some are victims of war and/or political unrest in their home countries. Most of the students are permanent residents who are starting a new life in Australia, but some may have temporary visas, be waiting for visas or be on bridging visas. All of the students are approved by the Minister for Education to attend school in Australia.
Facilities: Classrooms, shady recreation areas and state-of-the-art computer and science laboratories.
Subjects/Electives Years 7 to 10: English, Studies of Society and the Environment, Mathematics, Science, HPE (Health & Physical Education), Information Communication Technology Skills (ICT), Pastoral CARE, Art, Music. English is the language of instruction, but some bilingual support is available in Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Swahili, Persian and Bosnian.
Electives Years 11 and 12: English, Studies of Society and the Environment, Mathematics, Science, HPE (Health & Physical Education), Information Communication Technology Skills (ICT), Pastoral CARE, Art, Music. English is the language of instruction, but some bilingual support is available in Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Swahili, Persian and Bosnian.
Sport: The school offers a wide range of sporting activities. Milpera believes that learning to swim is an integral part of the Australian culture and offers swimming in term 1 and term 4. The swimming program is run by the P.E teachers and the staff at Dunlop Park. The program is set up so students become both water safe and confident in and around water.
Extracurricular activities: Camps, excursions, visiting performers and music and art activities, Urban fitness run by the Australian Catholic University, MDA tennis, AFL Lion hearted leadership program, Fitness First Gym Indooroopilly, Inter school football competition, Intra school competition (basketball, football, volleyball), Fun run.
Welfare and personal development: Guidance Officer, Home Liaison Teacher and art and music therapists based in the school’s unique HEAL (Home of Expressive Arts and Learning) Centre.
Special features: Art Enrichment Classes, Art Therapy, Bilingual Support Program, CARE Program, Classroom Reading Groups, Foundation Program, Help Our Writing (HOW), Music Therapy, Environmental Education Programs, Nurse, Support a Reader (SAR), Volunteer Program.