In August, we formally welcomed the first students, post border lockdown, to Christchurch
We have referred to this group as Cohort 4 for some time now. These special students were the first to have their visa applications fast-tracked while New Zealand was still closed off to the majority of the world. All high schools worked for months behind the scenes with government organisations to ensure the arrival of 1000 high school students into the country.
With the assistance of Christchurch Educated, ChristchurchNZ and Education New Zealand we held a large formal welcome at ARA Institute of Technology for all Cohort 4 students. One special student from each school was then selected to visit the Mayoral Chambers and meet with the Mayor of Christchurch, Lianne Dalziel.
James MY, Burnside High School's representative from Vietnam raised some interesting and sometimes humorous questions for the mayor which were appreciated by all it seemed.
The ability to meet the mayor was greatly appreciated by all involved. It highlighted the importance of our industry and reminded us all of how much international students were missed in our schools and communities.