International Students

Director of International Students: Mr J. Kitchin

Our international students add a cultural diversity to Havelock North High School.  Our students mix with fee paying students from many countries: Japan, Germany, Korea, China, Brazil, Thailand and more.  We welcome these students into our school and they soon embrace the "kiwi" lifestyle and education opportunities experienced attending Havelock North High School and living in beautiful Hawke's Bay.

Our school is a co-educational modern school with a roll of 1100 students.  Our experienced staff offers a wide range of subjects to study.  Our school sets the highest academic standards and students regularly achieve outstanding results in national examinations for entrance to tertiary study.

Students' individual learning and English language learning needs will be met.  Our international students find they excel at English on return to school in their own country.

Students have the opportunity to take part in a  wide range of sporting and outdoor activities.  Havelock North High School has an exellent reputation for music, drama and the arts.

Havelock North High School has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education.  Copies of the Code are avaiable on request by this institution or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website at: www.minedu.govt.nz .

Location and Facilities

The school is situated in Havelock North in Hawke's Bay, a region on the East Coast of the North Island noted for its natural beauty, mild and sunny climate and extensive outdoor activities, close to the cities of Hastings (population 50,000) and Napier (50,000).

School facilities include an auditorium complex, swimming pool, gymnasium, fitness centre, computer centres, drama and music suites, science laboratories, art rooms, multi-media library, technology workshops, home science unit, audio-visual rooms, sports fields and courts, located within eight hectares of spacious grounds.

Direct flights from Auckland International Airport take one hour.  All students will be met at Hawke's Bay Airport.

Uniform

All students up to and including Year 12 students wear school uniform.  A new summer and winter uniform costs approximately $NZ500.  In their final year at school, Year 13 students do not wear uniform. Tidy, casual clothes of the student's choice are permitted.

English Language Assistance

For students who require English language assistance in order to access the subjects offered, the school provides specialist teaching and, where necessary, subject support.  Provision is also made for students to gain particular national or international ESOL and English language keyboarding qualifications.  Most students prepare for IELTS or TOFL examinations.

Programmes of Study

The school year begins in the last week of January and ends in early December.  The majority of school programmes are for one year.  There are four terms, with two weeks holiday in April, July and September. 

Students from overseas may attend for less than one year, but in most cases would not be eligible for qualifications.

A broad-based multi level curriculum leads to a wide choice of academic subjects in the senior school.  Computer studies is an important school subject.  In total, over 30 subjects are available.

Where students gain New Zealand qualifications and fulfil appropriate entry requirements, they have the opportunity to enrol in universities or other tertirary institutions, locally or in other regions.

Student Welfare

All students are cared for through a comprehensive individual care system.  A senior staff member has special responsibility for the welfare of international students.  Orientation programmes assist students to settle in and make appropiate subject courses.

Homestay

Students are accomodated with homestay families in the local community. The Homerstay Co-ordinator, Mrs Bird, manages the placement and supervsion of homestay families. Mrs Bird is avaliable to students at lunchtimes on Wednesdays. Homestay families are expected to treat their students as if they are part of their family.

Outdoor Education

Outdoor education is avaliable to Internation Students through activities through the year. So far in 2010 studebnts have had the opportunity to go surfing, kayaking, and paintball. In term two a high ropes course and kayaking will be avaliable. Students arriving in term three have the chance to go skiing. In term four while the national exams are held a two week programme is provided. This entails tramping, camping, adventure challenge, surfing, life saving, rock climbing and kayaking. Most activities are included in the tuition fee.