Enrolment Eligibility Plan
Background
Milpera State High School is an intensive English language preparation school. Newly arrived migrant and refugee background students come to Milpera State High School for both English language learning and settlement services in preparation for mainstream high school or Technical and Further Education (TAFE).
The school aims to facilitate a better settlement process and a strong sense of belonging for students through carefully chosen learning experiences, an extensive extra-curricular program and by valuing the cultural identity of each student. Milpera State High School's bilingual teacher aides provide cultural support as well as assist students with their acquisition of English. Milpera State High School is an inclusive school that caters for students with special learning needs.
Milpera State High School’s intensive language and settlement program removes barriers to education which is fundamental in ensuring future schooling success. Our focus on well-being supports the students who have experienced war and/or the dislocation caused by the movement from one country to another. Successful engagement with education is fundamental to a positive pathway in a student's life. The Home of Expressive Arts and Learning (HEAL)—art and music therapy program—service supports our students’ well-being and maximises engagement and opportunities for academic success.
Rationale
Milpera State High School is committed to every student realising their potential within a socially-just and culturally inclusive environment. This is achieved by delivering a quality educational and settlement service that is needs based, in order to gain the best learning and settlement outcomes for our learners and our families.
This Enrolment Eligibility Plan sets out the requirements for enrolment at Milpera State High School.
Enrolment capacity
In 2025, Milpera State High School had a student enrolment capacity of 262 full-time equivalent students.
Enrolment policy
If Milpera State High School has not exceeded its enrolment capacity as set out above, a prospective student that meets the general requirements for enrolment and also satisfies the specific enrolment criterion as set out in this plan can be enrolled at the school.
Under s.156 of the
Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (the Act), a principal must enrol a student if they are entitled to be enrolled.
General enrolment requirements for state schools
When enrolling students, Queensland schools follow the processes outlined in the Department of Education’s
enrolment in state primary, secondary and special schools procedure.
When considering an application for enrolment, the principal must first be satisfied that the prospective student meets the
general enrolment requirements for state schools (DOCX, 283KB).
The principal may refer an enrolment decision to the Director-General if they reasonably believe that a student would pose an unacceptable risk to the safety or wellbeing of members of the school community.
Enrolment eligibility criteria
A prospective student must also meet
all the enrolment eligibility criteria set out below:
- be under the age of 18
- be operating at a bandscale* level at or below 4 in at least one of the 4 language learning macroskills
- have been in Australia for less than 18 months and during that time, have not accessed an Intensive English Program
- identify as either a newly arrived refugee, migrant, unaccompanied minor and/or international student as recognised under Commonwealth migration law as being able to study at a school in Australia.
A prospective student may be considered on a case-by-case basis, particularly in circumstances where a student has not accessed an English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) program; has not had their needs met or has no access to Humanitarian Settlement Programs (HSP).
If there is no reasonable capacity to enrol a student, the prospective student may be placed on a waiting list and will be encouraged to enrol in their local State School within their local catchment until a place becomes available.
Note: Placement of prospective students from the waiting list is subject to an assessment of priority of need by the principal.
*The bandscales are descriptions of typical second language acquisition and development. They enable teachers to assess the language and learning support necessary to enable EAL/D learners to access the intended curriculum across all learning areas. Determining a student’s bandscale level begins with the collection of a range of student language samples and teacher observations of language behaviours, usually focusing on listening, speaking, reading/viewing or writing.
Enrolment decisions
Enrolment applications are to be made to the Milpera State High School Principal, using the application for student enrolment form. The principal will consider this information when determining to progress a student’s enrolment application. A prospective student must attend an enrolment interview with a staff member as follows:
- the interview is to occur in person and cannot take place outside of Australia
- the prospective student may be accompanied at the interview by a parent, carer, guardian or other support person
- additional individuals may attend the interview, once considered and determined to be appropriate by the principal
- if needed, the interview will be interpreted in the prospective student’s home language.
Following the interview, the prospective student must undertake an oral and written assessment to identify language learning needs and an English proficiency level. This will support the enrolment decision.
Once an enrolment decision has been made by the principal, the applicant will be notified in writing.
The principal is responsible for all decisions regarding the school-specific enrolment requirements (as provided in this Enrolment Eligibility Plan). The principal’s decision on enrolment is final.
Where a decision is made to decline an enrolment application, the principal will contact the principal of the student’s in-catchment school to discuss the student's future enrolment.
Review date
The Enrolment Eligibility Plan for Milpera State High School is internally reviewed each year, and if required, updated to reflect any changes to enrolment capacity.