International Department

Sawasdee,

Myself and Ronan had the greatest pleasure of meeting many new agents from around Europe. Ellesmere College is a perfect setting to offer outdoor programmes for our International students. We made great connections and the agents loved the programmes that we can provide. We will be seeing our first German and Austrian students next year.

Ellesmere College has historically had a small International department, this year we have seen exponential growth with both long Term and short Term students not forgetting our school groups. Some new and some already great friends of the College. Next year we are set to have 25 long Term students from all around the world including Japan, Thailand, China, Germany, Austria and Brazil. We will welcome back Okazaki Nishi school and Omiya International from Japan as well as having many short Term traveling groups. We are excited to show them the programmes that we have to offer.

We had just said goodbye to our last group of 2023. It was very sad to see them leave. They were a small group from Bangkok, Thailand. They were only here for a short time but we had the opportunity to spend lots of time together.

That leaves us with our long Term students that will be with us until the end of the year. Two of them will be joining us again next year. Plus Hayato is coming back to us from Japan. He misses his host family and the good friends that he made so has decided to come and complete his NCEA at Ellesmere College.

End of year reflections...I was recently talking to Noelia, our amazing homestay and Administration. Noelia came to New Zealand 7 years ago from Spain and did not speak any English. I have been educated about how difficult that was and still is. It has given me a deeper understanding of how some of our International students feel. I hope to continue learning and share some of this knowledge with others.

I am extremely proud of what we have achieved. We have grown beyond my expectations. I am dedicated to Ellesmere College and hope that has been shown in my previous roles also. We are now a school that International students are choosing to come to. For our programme, pastoral care, teachers and buddies.

Which leads me nicely to showing my gratitude to those people the International department could not do without.

- Noelia, you have worked so hard this year, you have proved to be hard working and sympathetic to the needs of our students and homestay families. Nothing is ever too much trouble, I am so glad that you joined our team.

- Ronan thank you for your belief in me and the programme. Thank you for all of your hard work. Together we have built something amazing.

- Buddies, for being absolutely fantastic! Each of you have taken the role of being a buddy very seriously, I am always so impressed by the care that you take of our International students. You have shown great leadership qualities and I look forward to working with you again next year.

- Deborah Poorter for all of your support with enrolment and any other issues I have along the way.

- Thank you to all of the staff at the College that are warm and supportive to our students, for providing additional work to make it easier for our International students to settle into school life.

- To our wonderful agents, thank you for having the trust in us and giving us an opportunity to show how amazing we are. Your partnerships are valued.

- Lastly without our homestay families our International Programme could not run. I will be eternally grateful that you welcome our International students into your homes and make them part of your family.

I can't wait for 2024 Have a wonderful Christmas Zodie, Noelia, Ronan