Sadly, it has come to that time of the year to farewell some wonderful Japanese students who have all spent the full year at Kaiapoi High School.

These students challenged themselves with new subjects and we saw them grow in confidence and attitudes to all things. They especially enjoyed some ‘new’ subjects such as Outdoor Education, Hospitality, Food & Nutrition, Tools for Work, Dance & Drama.

The ESOL class celebrated the finish of studies with a Kiwi breakfast before the whole school gave the Year 13 students a moving and tearful farewell assembly.

Our best wishes to Lio Ohta and Ryo Yuasa who sat their NCEA English exam! They are staying over in New Zealand for a Kiwi Christmas & New Year; we look forward to seeing you both again in 2021.

It has been a busy term, both in and outside the classroom, for our students.

We had an International girls team participating in the Wednesday inter-school badminton competitions. Tomoka gave Archery a go!

Five students volunteered at the Kaiapoi Food Forest and practised its values - connect, nourish, educate and inspire. Ririn, Otone and Tomoka assisted in the school canteen.

The students enjoyed a fabulous night at the Formal, the girls were dressed to the nines, arriving with massive smiles…. looking so beautiful and danced the night away! 

A highlight of the International year is always during the last two or three weeks when our group of eager students participates in various end of year activities. This year we joined in with International students/friends from other local high schools and appreciated the help of ESOL teacher, Mr Lowe. The students have been to Adrenalin Forest, Velocity Karts, Lavender Fields, Victoria Park & Sign of the Kiwi, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Surfing in Sumner, Margaret Mahy Playground, Codebreakers, Kayaking on the Avon River, the Botanical Gardens & Museum, Ashley Gorge bushwalking, Hanmer Springs Hot Pools & Hydroslide, and the Amazing Race in the City. The final day was cooking up some scrumptious kiwi cuisine and providing a yummy treat for some staff….what a nice way to finish their time here!

Farewell to Sachi Imura, Tomoka Inayoshi, Wakana Kishihara, Hinata Mune, and Ririn Watanabe. We were all heartbroken with Otone Kusano’s sudden passing…Rest in peace, beautiful girl! Thank you all for being such special ambassadors for Japan, you are leaving Kaiapoi with achievements gained and many experiences enjoyed. Safe travels!

Homestay Families we need YOU!

Would you like to become involved with our International students and enjoy a different culture?

All our International students ‘live in’ with local families and enjoy the opportunity to embrace ‘kiwi’ living.

If you believe you could commit to spending some time with a student, take them on outings, care for them, and enhance their experience of being with us, then we would like to hear from you.

Homestay payments contribute to the cost of living and activities you would be doing with your student.

Hosting can be a short term of between 2 - 8wks – mainly our groups, or long term of 10 weeks - 52 weeks – our full-time students

Please contact our International office and we will send an application pack to you.

Kristie Dutton

International Manager

Phone: 3755239

k.dutton@kaiapoi.school.nz

Our International students bring cultural diversity to our school and gain a chance to learn, live and laugh in our friendly and welcoming environment.

We appreciate all the opportunities this brings us, and what we can do for them. Your support is greatly appreciated.