Internationalism at Goulburn Valley Grammar School

Increasingly we are becoming subjected to the impacts of things that happen beyond our shores. No longer are we isolated from the economic, social and cultural influences of countries outside our borders.

There is a strong need for schools to educate students for living and working in an increasingly globalised community.

At the Education Assembly conference in 2001 one of the main propositions put forward for a relevant Australian Education in the future is that 

" all students in Australia will have the opportunity to enjoy an international curriculum, which includes international experiences.."

Further it concluded that

" If education is a preparation for living and working in a global community, Australian citizens need the knowledge and skills both to access and to be comfortable in a diverse environment&. &. our children need to be prepared economically and culturally for work in an increasingly internationalised environment"

In order to achieve these goals in the near future it was seen as a priority to have overseas students participating in our own schools 

" as an advantage for Australian Students" and that no matter what the kind of school Australian students attend ". They should have the opportunities to enjoy international experiences within their curriculum."

At Goulburn Valley Grammar School we have embraced the importance of developing an International perspective in our curriculum by including it as one of the main statements in our school CREDO.

We also have an International Programs Committee charged with the responsibility of overseeing the coordination of the many facets of programs already in operation and those being developed.

In 1999 our Principal Mr Ian Rule, attended a conference in Hawaii of the Pacific Basin Consortium, which is an organisation of  schools which have a common border around the Pacific Ocean.

The mission statement of the PBC fits comfortably with GVGS mission statements related to internationalism and provides a structure and organisation 

" that allows for opportunities for schools, teachers and students to share knowledge experiences, curriculum and ideas with the aim of promoting interaction, collaboration and a deeper understanding of the cultures and dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region.."

At Goulburn Valley Grammar School we see the following  outcomes as important goals for our International programs.

• Personal Growth and development
• Exploring the International perspective
• Experiential learning.

To achieve these important outcomes we have initiated and nurtured the following programs

• Short Term overseas student exchanges - St Andrews College, Havergal College -  Toronto, St Michael's Univeristy School Vancouver Island - Canada, Oregon Episcopal School - USA, St Georges Girls School Edinburgh - UK and Hutchesons Grammar School - Glasgow. 
• Overseas study/sports tours, Europe, Nepal and New Zealand
• Partnership Schools - Krista Mitra and Trimulia Bandung - Indonesia and overseas exchange schools as listed above
• Collaborative Curriculum links with overseas schools - Turning Point School, Los Angeles USA, Northolm Grammar Sydney and Oregon Episcopal School Portland USA
• Overseas exchange students within the school on both short term and long term exhanges through Rotary and other international exchange organisations