Going Out and Curfew
Of course, we encourage our students to make friends and spend time with them. There are however some ground rules that keep you safe.
Your homestay parents give you permission to go out and they will also give you a time to be home - you just need to ask them first.
REMEMBER: ASK, don't TELL, they are responsible for your safety.
Before you go out, you must let your homestay know:
- Where you are going
- Who you will be with
- When to expect you home
- How you will travel home
- Will you be home for dinner?
- You must follow your homestay's rules of the household.
- For students under 16 years of age, this will mean that you are unable to be out past 8pm on Sunday-Thursday, or late at night at weekends, except on special occasions.
- For students over 16 years old, you should still be home before 8pm on Sunday-Thursday, but you may stay out later on Friday and Saturdays. You must still be home at the time your host parents say, which will be no later than 12am/Midnight.
- If you are going to be later than 10pm, either get a taxi or ask your host parent if they are able to collect you. Before 10pm, public transport is still an option - but safety must be the priority here.
- If you want to stay at a friend's house overnight, your host family and homestay coordinator need to investigate where you will be and they must speak to the responsible parent/s at your friend's home.
- If you are over 18 and wish to travel outside of Dunedin, you must get your parent's permission in writing and apply to the Principal. It is not guaranteed that you will get permission, so see the International Director about this process. If you are under 18 years old, independent travel will not be considered unless it is a school/sports team trip.
- If you wish to bring friends to your homestay, first ask their permission, don't just arrive home with extra people.