On the 23rd of May, we were delighted to welcome Satoshi Shiba from Nagano Prefecture, Japan - our first new international student since 2020. Satoshi, Year 12, is currently doing an amazing job of adapting to life in Christchurch.

We are also expecting another Japanese, and South Korean student before the end of the term.

For July, we will welcome at least eight students at this stage, from Argentina, Italy, Japan and Taiwan.

With this in mind, we urgently need to grow our homestay family database again. If you or anyone you know is interested in becoming a homestay, we have placements available now for international students arriving for term three. Enrolment lengths vary greatly, from 4 weeks to ongoing, so there’s a length of stay to suit everyone.

Becoming a host family to an international student can be a very fulfilling experience, culminating in lifelong connections. I encourage you to contact the international office if you are interested in learning more about signing up with us.

Most international students come to New Zealand to improve their English, therefore if English is not your first language at home, it may be harder to place students with you. Homestay payments are $275 per week and cover a single room with a bed, desk, and clothing storage, 3 meals per day, Wi-Fi and laundry.

For all inquiries contact:

Frances Couling, International Student Director isd@riccarton.school.nz
Eileen McDonald, International Administrator ml@riccarton.school.nz