Accessible version
by Destiny Robson & Chanelle Spencer with Keiai High School students

International News

Deanne Gath - April 3, 2016

We have had a very busy term in the International Department.

Welcomes

We were thrilled to welcome these new students to Kaiapoi High School for 2016:

Yota Koga, Taiki Yato, Yukako Shibusawa, Kazushige Hasegawa, Mahiro Otsuka, Fumika Itazu, Takanori Suzuki, Ikeda Ikeda and Miyu Nagoshi, all from Japan, Valerie Pfleger from Austria, Flurina Gruber from Switzerland and Kanyarat Nachi from Thailand. These students will be at Kaiapoi High School for between one term and two years.

Farewells

Sadly, we said a fond goodbye to three of our students at the end of March. Hazuki Sugo, Yukako Shibuskawa and Taiki Yato have now returned to Japan. Hazuki has been at Kaiapoi High School for one year and Yukako and Taiki for only this term. They have been valued members of our school community and we wish them well as they continue with further education in Japan.

Visitors

Eleven Keiai High School students and their Principal, Mr Muto, arrived on Saturday 27th March from Fukuoka, Japan, to spend two weeks with us. The students spent time in the classrooms with their buddies and also participated in ESOL lesssons. Many activities were organised for the group and one of the highlights was the horse riding experience.

On 14th March a Scholarship student, Kana Shimada, and Teacher, Mr Norimichi Fujiwara, from the Tottori Board of Education, Japan, visited us for one week. Kana won a speech competition and her prize was a trip to New Zealand. Many thanks to staff member Jayne Dewe for hosting Mr Fujiwara and Year 11 student Destiny Robson, who accompanied Kana throughout the week.

On 15th March 13 excited students and their teacher, Mrs Siphim Prarom, from Universal Cultural Exchange in Thailand arrived to spend nine weeks immersing themselves in “kiwi” culture, both at school, in the local community and during a trip around the lower South Island.

Our visitors are here to improve their English, experience another culture and gain friendships, hopefully for a lifetime. The success of these group visits is, of course, due to our awesome student buddies, our wonderful staff and our excellent homestay families and staff who open their homes to the students and teachers. A HUGE thank you is extended to everyone for making these visits an unforgettable experience for all.

Homestays Wanted

Would you like to become a Homestay Parent and give an international student a taste of Kiwi culture?

The School warmly welcomes overseas students in Year 9 to Year 13 and values the contact with other cultures. Our school has long-term relationships with some overseas schools.

Please call the Homestay Manager, Fiona Millar, 027 536 0022 and we will send an application pack to you.