Refugee Bridging Program
The Refugee Bridging Program (RBP) at Dickson College has been developed as a response to the interrupted schooling of refugee students who enter the ACT college sector. Students may require additional support with English language learning, social and well-being provisions, and navigating an unknown schooling system within a safe and supportive environment to achieve academic success.
The RBP assists students to engage in a year 11 and 12 pathway program to acquire a Board of Senior Secondary Studies (BSSS) Senior Secondary Certificate. Students may choose a tertiary or accredited package in line with future career pathways.
School Factsheet - Refugee Bridging Program (PDF)
Eligibility requirements
The RBP is open to students 16 years and older with refugee experience. These students can be referred by any ACT public secondary school or college.
Students must meet a minimum standard of written and spoken English before they can enter the program. Students who do not meet the minimum English requirements can be referred to the Secondary Introductory English Centre (SIEC) located at Dickson College.
Typically, Refugee Bridging Program students have:
- Refugee status (or have had a refugee experience),
- Had a disrupted education,
- Experienced significant settlement issues or
- Spent significant time in a refugee camp prior to their arrival in Canberra.
Additional information
As part of the RBP, students have access to Intensive Bridging English classes that provide extra language support to access the broader curriculum. The flexible nature of the program allows students to study college subjects in line with their passions and future career pathways. The primary foci are academic support, settlement support and student wellbeing.
Dickson College EAL/D teachers are highly qualified, experienced and trauma trained to support students with refugee experiences.
