The School for Student Leadership has conducted another Victorian Young Leaders to China preparation program at the Snowy River Campus, Marlo over the school vacation.

Forty-seven students from across Victoria attended the four-day retreat to prepare them for their six-week immersion in southern China in August and September this year.

Students in this cohort come from Swifts Creek, Orbost, Koo Wee Rup, Warragul, Wonthaggi, Hopetoun, Swan Hill, Birchip, Yarrawonga, Euroa, Beechworth and Bright. nThe Victorian Young Leaders to China program is a Victorian Government funded and supported initiative designed to prepare young people for living, working and studying in a globalised world. They learn Mandarin language and characters, travel in country, experience home stays, undertake adventure activities and become aware of the need for cultural sensitivity when living and working in China.

“This is our seventh year as a partner with the Department of Education, International Education Division, many regional schools from across Victoria and in China,” principal and long-term advocate of regional leadership and internationalisation of education, Mark Reeves, said.

“This is a program of just under $1million per year and it is funded for another four years. It is critical for regional students to have the same access to international education as city students. It is fantastic it has its roots right here in East Gippsland,” noted Reeves.

“Since 2012, our school has been one of the largest providers of international leadership for year nine students in Victoria. This year, we will see our 600th student have a life changing experience in Guangdong Province of China.”

Being an active and informed global citizen, having cultural and language knowledge and connecting with people from around Victoria and around the world are key advantages for students who participate and are some of the aims of the program.

“Our China program is a world leader. It is socially just meaning we provided access for everyone. All our students come from regional Victorian Government Schools and many are fully subsidised if their circumstances require it,” Mr Reeves added.

The international program is one of many the School for Student Leadership conducts. It has campuses in Dinner Plain (Alpine School), Marlo (Snowy River Campus), NooratGlenormiston (Gnurad-Gundidj) and is about to begin the $7m construction on campus four at Yarra Junction this year.

“This school is an outstanding success. It is the result of so many great people who have been so committed for so many years. That the Victorian Government has had great faith and recognises the educational and regional economic benefits of the program are fantastic,” Mr Reeves said.

Anyone who has children in Victorian Government schools who would like them to experience what The School for Student Leadership has to offer should talk their home school principal. School places for the 2020 program are currently open for consideration.

PICTURED: Students from Orbost, Swifts Creek, Warragul, Koo Wee Rup, Wonthaggi, Hopetoun, Birchip, Swan Hill, Yarrawonga, Beechworth, Euroa and Bright are preparing for six weeks in China as part of a Victorian Young leaders program.