Pioneer school hub goes global | Gympie News | Local News in Gympie

FIRST: James Nash announced its International School Program accreditation with EQI’s Sue Macqueen, International school co-ordinator Robyn Bowman, principal Darrin Edwards and homestay co-ordinator Alice Wilson.

Craig Warhurst

INTERNATIONAL students looking to experience true blue Australian culture are bound for James Nash State High School.

The Gympie state school is the first in the region and one of only nine regional schools in Queensland to be accredited by the Queensland Department of Education and Training in the International School Program.

This is not your normal student exchange program, but about attracting full-time, full fee-paying international students who are looking for a cultural experience.

It’s an exciting and rewarding study opportunity for them, but it also helps selected schools provide a richer cultural experience for its students.

The inclusion to the program is part of a strategy that staff and students of James Nash put in motion three years ago when they set out to get the school recognised as a hub of educational excellence.

James Nash proved to the Department, trading as Education Queensland International (EQI), that they could provide international students with the support and encouragement they needed to achieve their full academic potential in a safe and fun learning environment.

Now all they need to do is sell the idea to students overseas through EQI’s promotional website. Targeting students looking for the best of what Queensland has to offer (country, town and surf), the James Nash information page lists another three reasons to choose the school – because it is recognised as a hub of educational excellence, for its excellence pathways in English and learning partnerships with regional universities and TAFE colleges.

The site itself ( www.eqi.com.au) promotes Queensland as a state renowned for its world-class education system and warm sunny climate and charges quite a large sum for the privilege of studying in an accredited Queensland school.

James Nash hopes to attract about five international students to begin with. Families who can give a positive homestay experience in a safe and secure environment whilst providing support and supervision are asked to contact homestay coordinator Alice Wilson on 5480 6333.