Hero photograph
Trip to the Blue Penguin Colony
 
Photo by Blake Wells

International Department Update

AGHS —

School has been busy since moving to Alert Level 1 with many activities happening school-wide and also for the International Department.

At school Nicole Kim was part of a student team who debated against three teachers. The debate topic was ‘The Arts subjects are the most important’, but sadly for the students the teachers won. We are very proud of Nicole because debating in her second language takes courage and confidence.

We encourage our international students be involved in sports, clubs and music groups as it helps improve their English and they can meet new people with the same interests. We are proud of the achievements of some girls so far this year. Saki Kojima was selected for the B Basketball Team, Rimu Matsumoto and Riri Asanuma were selected for the A Basketball team. Nhi Nguyen has joined the Avonside Girls’ Choir and the combined Avonside Girls’ and Shirley Boys’ Choir. Anh Nham is in involved in Kapa Haka and plays the guitar for the Kapa Haka group. Wakano Nishioka is playing the piano for the Orchestra.

Some of our international students will go back to their home countries soon and Lockdown meant we didn’t have any trips or activities, so we quickly organised two weekend trips and a Pizza & Movie Night. The West Coast trip was spectacular with perfect weather for nature walks and canoeing. Last weekend we travelled to Oamaru and watched the Little Blue Penguins coming onshore to their nests in the evening, visited the Dunedin Butterfly House at Otago Museum, walked up Baldwin Street, the steepest street in the world and climbed over the Moeraki Boulders.

It is National Volunteer Week and it was great to see our students tree planting for the Eco-Action Nursery Trust on Sunday – thank you for supporting our community!