WELCOME WELCOME WELCOME!!         2017 sees 22 international students from Japan, Chile and Germany studying at the school for various terms. Three students return from last year and groups will again visit throughout the year.

Our internationals bring a wealth of talent with them this year including Lydia from Germany, who plays violin, Johannes, also from Germany, who plays piano, Airi from Japan, who plays trumpet, Mika from Japan, who is No. 4 in Japan on the unicycle and Kaigi from Japan is an age grade rugby representative.

All are being hosted locally and are enjoying the opportunity to live, learn and love the kiwi culture!

Groups Galore!

A busy start to the year has seen us hosting students from Keiai High School in Japan and UCE students from Thailand.

These groups have all been hosted by our fabulous families in the district and have been warmly welcomed into their homes and lives. Trips around have seen them visiting Hanmer, Akaroa, Brighton Beach, Sumner, the Museum, Christchurch city, Holi, Foam and Lantern festivals, sports events and social gatherings.

Keiai students loved the opportunity to see kiwi at Willowbank, penguins and huskies at the Antarctic Centre and enjoyed a farm experience. They shared class time with our local students and enjoyed the opportunity to participate in new activities, subjects and sports.

We are loving hosting our students from Thailand and they are learning and enjoying many kiwi traditions. This includes fish 'n' chips on Fridays, watching rugby, sausages on the barbie, swimming at the beach and wearing no shoes inside!  UCE students have also enjoyed the Antarctic Centre, watching sheep being shorn and playing indoor cricket.

All the students have been taking part in school classes with a ‘buddy’, which gets them interacting with our students, enjoying new subjects and improving their English. They enjoy specialist subjects of Crafts, Hospitality, P.E., Maori culture, Dance and ESOL.

Internationals getting involved

A great way to meet people, improve your English and try something new is about becoming involved with our school sports, groups and activities. Our school creates many opportunities for this to happen and encourages all students to take part.

Many of our internationals are enjoying Dragon Boating, Archery, Kapa haka, Stage Challenge, singing groups, working in the canteen, outdoor education camps and perfecting skills with Hospitality. Let's hope this builds and continues as the year progresses.

Congratulations to Melina Leonhard from Germany, who is on our School Council.