It has been truly amazing being part of the International Department over the past few months.

Suddenly, our area within the school (G Block) is full of students again. The building is abuzz with a range of languages being spoken, with many conversations being held in English as young people - our international and migrant students - from around the world get to know each other, and build friendships across cultures, customs and countries.

Up until July 2022, our international students were the COVID kids who were stuck in Aotearoa New Zealand since March 2020, unable to return to their home countries, families and friends for so long. From July, we started to welcome students back; at the end of 2022 we had 10 international students, and were making preparations for 2023 that was shaping up to be big.

Term One 2023 arrived, and we had 39 international students at school. Fortunately our former experiences and preparations kicked in and we were up and running as if it was 2020 and we hadn't had the break. Part-way through the term we welcomed more students, and we were 56! The most international students we have had at Hillmorton since well before the earthquakes.

And then it was the end of the term, and suddenly - it seemed - we were saying 'see you later' to a number of short-term students. Their smiles and improved English a testament to their time here.

Their success and happiness here is thanks to our wonderful host families, and our students and staff at school, who all help the students' create their turangawaewae in Aotearoa New Zealand.