High School Preparation Program
CRICOS Code 106230E
- Mode of Study
- Face-to-face delivery
- Class hours
- 20 hours per week
- Duration
- 1 - 64 weeks
- Key Date
- Every Monday
- Campus
- BNE｜SYD ｜ GC
ABOUT THE COURSE
The aim of the Shafston for Schools program is to prepare students with the necessary English language skills and confidence to pathway and complete their secondary schooling in an Australian high school, or in another English speaking country.
Ready For High School
The Shafston High School preparation program is designed to prepare international students from a wide range of cultural backgrounds as an entry pathway into mainstream study at an Australian high school.
English Immersion
All your Shafston classes will be in English. Our intensive High School preparation program is designed to help you improve the core macro skills – Speaking, Reading, Writing, Listening and Grammar.
Students will:
- study with other students seeking to study in an Australian schools
- follow a specially designed and tailored intensive integrated English course covering Grammar, Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing
- study English for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
- study CLIL (Content Language Integrated Learning) Intensive Reading Program
- participate in mini class debates, discussions and oral presentations
- develop essential academic skills to successfully study in a high school learning environment such as essay writing skills, research skills and note taking.
- study towards an internationally recognised Cambridge Examination (Cambridge for Schools)
- learn social language that will help them to transition to schools and make new friends in Australia
- participate in regular sporting and art/craft activities to ensure they stay fit and creative at the same time!
- study in a dedicated Shafston Junior Zone for under 18 students!
- receive regular progress monitoring, weekly assessments and feedback
- receive support from teachers and Shafston staff – and students can record progress in their Shafston COMPASS learner’s diary
Course Information
This program is designed to prepare international students, aged between 12-17 years old and from diverse cultural backgrounds, to enter mainstream study at an Australian high school.
Enhance your English language proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, listening, and grammar through a variety of courses, including English for STEM* and CLIL** Intensive Reading. Additionally, the program includes Independent Skills workshops, which focus on building fundamental academic skills such as note-taking, presentations, and project work, to help you achieve successful study outcomes.
| Course Name | High School Preparation (HSP) |
|---|---|
| CRICOS Code | 106230E |
| Locations | Brisbane, Gold Coast & Sydney Campus |
| Mode of Study | 20 hours per week Face-to-face classroom delivery |
| Key Dates | Set Start Date |
| Entry Requirements |
|
| Duration | 1 - 64 weeks, 6 levels HSP 1 to HSP 6 (Each level is 10 weeks in duration) |
| Course Content | Grammar, Vocabulary, Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking skills development Includes preparation for official Cambridge exam A2 Key for Schools and B1 Preliminary for Schools |
| Key Points |
|
Queensland High Schools
High Schools in Queensland offer a wide range of subjects to students aged between 12 to 18 years, including English, mathematics, science, social sciences, languages, and vocational education and training programs.
The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) provides a comprehensive curriculum to cater to different interests and career goals. The focus is on providing a well-rounded education that equips students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Queensland high schools have a strong reputation for academic excellence, with many schools achieving above-average results in national assessments.
HSP entry level and exit level
| Level | Entry Level | Exit Level | Remark* | EQI** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HSP1 | IELTS 3.0 or equiv | IELTS 3.5 or equiv | A successfully completed Shafston internal exam | NA |
| HSP2 | IELTS 3.5 or equiv | IELTS 4.0 or equiv | A successfully completed A2+ KETexam for schools at Pass A | Year 7 & 8 |
| HSP3 | IELTS 4.0 or equiv | IELTS 4.5 or equiv | A successfully completed B1 PET exam for schools at Pass B |
Year 9 |
| HSP4 | IELTS 4.0 or equiv | IELTS 5.0 or equiv | A successfully completed B1 PET exam for schools at Pass A |
Year 10 |
| HSP5 | IELTS 5.0 or equiv | IELTS 5.5 or equiv | A successfully completed B2 FCE exam for schools at Pass C |
Year 11 |
| HSP6 | IELTS 5.5 or equiv | IELTS 6.0+ or equiv | A successfully completed B2 FCE exam for schools at Pass B for IELTS 6.0 or equiv. or B2 FCE exam for schools at Pass A for IELTS 6.5 or equiv. |
- |
*Shafston internal exam or external Cambridge exam
** This should be used as a guide only.
Partner Schools
Shafston International College is pleased to announce the establishment of collaborative partnerships with Education Queensland International (EQI) and several distinguished private schools across Queensland. These partnerships mark a significant step towards creating a more globally connected and enriched educational experience for students.
Sample assessment schedule
| Week | Assessment | Weighting | Approx.Length/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Speaking 1: Individual Presentation | Speaking grade: 10% | 5 mins |
| 2 | Listening 1: Comprehension of an oral presentation | Listening grade: 20% | 5 mins |
| 3 | Writing 1: Short report | Writing grade: 20% | 250-300 words |
| 4 | Reading 1: Comprehension of an Academic Text | Reading grade: 20% | 500 words |
| 5 | Speaking 2: Group Presentation (2-3) | Speaking grade: 20% | 5 mins |
| 6 | Reading 2: Note-taking & comprehension of an academic text | Reading grade: 40% | 300 words |
| Listening 2: Note-taking from a short recorded lecture | Listening grade: 40% | 7 mins | |
| 7 | Reading 3: Note-taking & summary of an academic text | Reading grade: 40% | 400 words |
| Writing 2: 3 paragraph comparative essay | Writing grade: 30% | 750 words | |
| 8 | Speaking 3: Tutorial style Group Discussion | Speaking grade: 30% | 5 mins |
| 9 | Listening 3: Note-taking from a live lecture | Listening grade: 40% | |
| 10 | Writing 3: 5 paragraph essay | Writing grade: 50% | 1000 words |
| Speaking 4: Individual presentation | Speaking grade: 40% | 7 mins |
Sample Timetable
Time |
MON |
TUE |
WED |
THUR |
FRI |
| 8:30 - 10:00 Teaching Session 1 (1.5h) | Factfile Video and Vocabulary Building | Grammar - Rules and Contexts | STEAM - 21st Century Skills | History/Civics | Social Communication Skills - Speaking Activities |
| 10:00 - 10:15 | Morning Break | ||||
| 10:15 - 11:45 Teaching Session 2 (1.5h) | Speaking Practice + Vocabulary | Grammar - Applied Communication | Grammar Practice | Literature/ Creative Writing | Workbook Activities - Week 1 Unit Test - Week 2 |
| 11:45 - 12:30 | LUNCH | ||||
| 12:30 - 13:30 Teaching Session 3 (1h) | Reading Comprehension | Critical Thinking Project - Student Presentations | Writing Strategy + Workshop | Listening - Comprehension and Strategy | Social Sports in the Park |
2026 & 2027 Shafston Intake Dates
|
Class |
Start Date |
End Date |
Course Duration |
Pathway Course |
Pathway Intake |
|
Weekly Intake |
Every Monday |
Every Friday |
1 - 64 Weeks |
Queensland High Schools |
See Below |
|
2026 Term 1 Intake Recommendation |
26 Jan 2026 |
03 Apr 2026 |
10 Weeks |
2026 QLD High Schools Term 1 |
27 Jan 2026 |
|
2026 Term 2 Intake Recommendation |
20 Apr 2026 |
26 Jun 2026 |
10 Weeks |
2026 QLD High Schools Term 2 |
20 Apr 2026 |
|
2026 Term 3 Intake Recommendation |
13 Jul 2026 |
18 Sep 2026 |
10 Weeks |
2026 QLD High Schools Term 3 |
13 Jul 2026 |
|
2026 Term 4 Intake Recommendation |
05 Oct 2026 |
11 Dec 2026 |
10 Weeks |
2026 QLD High Schools Term 4 |
06 Oct 2026 |
|
2027 Term 1 Intake Recommendation |
25 Jan 2027 |
02 Apr 2027 |
10 Weeks |
2027 QLD High Schools Term 1 |
26 Jan 2027 |
|
2027 Term 2 Intake Recommendation |
12 Apr 2027 |
18 Jun 2027 |
10 Weeks |
2027 QLD High Schools Term 2 |
13 Apr 2027 |
|
2027 Term 3 Intake Recommendation |
12 Jul 2027 |
17 Sep 2027 |
10 Weeks |
2027 QLD High Schools Term 3 |
13 Jul 2027 |
|
2027 Term 4 Intake Recommendation |
04 Oct 2027 |
10 Dec 2027 |
10 Weeks |
2027 QLD High Schools Term 4 |
05 Oct 2027 |
For more detailed intake recommendations, please visit here
Testimonial
I started to study at Shafston in 2022 for 6 months and I have enrolled in Calamvale Community College successfully as a Grade 10 student. There are a lot of exams and assignments in high school and it is difficult for international students to learn a new language. Shafston HSP program with doing English tests and using English textbooks is so helpful for me to adjust to high school courses.
I think Shafston is a great college. My teachers are very friendly. If I have any study troubles during the class, they will help me step by step to understand the knowledge smoothly. My classmates are from different nationalities. I was very nervous about this on the first day when I arrived. But after 2 weeks, I had made friends with my new classmates.
I feel very happy to study at Shafston because the teachers here are very friendly to me. I enjoy the pretty campus river view at Shafston. Every Friday, we have sports activities that I can play volleyball and badminton with my classmates. I have made many friends from different nationalities here.
Class Images
