This year, 20 International students have been part of our St Hilda’s whānau. It was wonderful to welcome back our senior students to continue their NCEA studies, along with16 new International students from Hong Kong, Germany, Korea, China, Japan and Australia who joined us throughout the year.

Year 13
Himari Harada

Year 12
Winny Poon, Gion Sin, Charlotte Brachtendorf, Yumi Cheung

Year 11
Chihiro Kato, Teru Ogawa, Chika Oshima, Amelia Bruce, Abigael Pond, Ashling Zhao

Year 10
Ruby Tong, Rio Yatani, Sakuya Ishida, Waho Matsuo, Ayaka Kawana, Miyako Fukushima

Year 8
Chohui Jang, Aira Imai, Momo Satoh

After a hiatus caused by the closure of our international borders, we were thrilled to have reconnected with our sister schools in Japan and Australia: Kun-ei High School (Osaka), Kaetsu Ariake High School (Tokyo) and St Hilda’s School (Perth). 

Himari Harada was the International Student Leader in 2023. Himari, along with seniors girls Winny and Gion, have been excellent advocates and role models for all the new students. The older girls have been outstanding ‘big-sisters’ to the younger girls and they have enjoyed sharing their new experiences together. After school and at the weekends they have done numerous activities. They are definitely experts navigating the bus routes around Dunedin. It has been great to see the International girls enjoying participating in a wide range of extra-curricular activities such as volleyball, futsal, tennis, football, netball, touch rugby, ice skating lessons, tramping, Greek Club, music lessons and orchestra. They have also given service to school and the Dunedin community through Kea Crossing Duty and assisting at the Red Cross Store.

I would like to sincerely thank the St Hilda’s and Tolcarne staff, the host families and school friends who have enriched our students' experience by being part of their journey. Thank you for opening your hearts each year in support of our students. We cannot thank you enough, you are instrumental in making the girls feel welcome and helping them settle into their New Zealand lives. 

For those girls who leave us in 2023, I wish you every success in your onward adventure and hope that the experiences and friendships you have made whilst you have been with us will last a lifetime.

Carla Joint
Director of International