Our fantastic international committee, led by Panmai Kernkhunthot and Hilal Talash have been doing an excellent job in making our new students feel welcomed and part of the Riccarton High whanau.

Six new international students arrived at Riccarton High School this term. They have come from Japan, China, France and Germany. 

As I have mentioned before, it is an amazing feat to just be able to arrive in New Zealand, settle into life away from home and manage to do it all in an English-speaking environment. So it’s even more of a cause for celebration when our international students achieve things over and above this.

Recently Moeri Furukawa (Y12, Japan), played for the senior girls’ volleyball team at the South Island Satellite Tournament. Her team came second and her coaches we very impressed with her skills

Patricia Guo (Y11, China), entered into the University of Otago Junior Mathematics Competition, for accelerate students last week. We are eagerly awaiting results!

I’d also like to acknowledge Nene Sampei from Ikubunkan High School in Tokyo, who has taken the initiative and is holding a cupcake and cookie stall this Thursday to raise funds for the Kumamoto earthquake victims.

These are just some of the great things our international students are bringing to the school and community – we are proud of them all.