William Colenso College

Napier  is the business and port centre of the province of Hawke's Bay, a region well known as one of the premier wine producing areas of New Zealand. With its pleasant climate and easy access to beaches, mountains and bush, the region is popular with visitors from other parts of New Zealand and from abroad.

The school itself is about five minutes drive from the city centre and the seashore. The ground level buildings are set within nine hectares of gardens and playing fields. William Colenso is a medium sized school with about 600 students. There are usually 30-40 International Students.

Facilities

The school buildings include a gymnasium, a purpose built music/drama suite, a well-equipped library, six science laboratories, a technology block, two computer suites, art rooms, photographic darkroom, a senior catering kitchen and a purpose built outdoor education classroom with rock climbing wall and an assembly hall. The playing fields include areas for rugby, soccer, softball, etc. as well as courts for netball, basketball and tennis. The gymnasium caters for basketball, badminton and volleyball.  Artificial tennis courts and hockey practice areas are available. 

Courses Offered

William Colenso College offers a wide range of courses at all levels from Year 7 to Year 13 (11 to 18 years old). International Students are accepted from Year 11 to Year 13 (15 to 18 years old).   Courses are aimed at gaining National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCEA) qualifications and entry into tertiary institutions.  As well as the usual academic subjects, students are offered the opportunity to participate and achieve in areas such as the Performing Arts (Music, Drama, Dance), Visual Arts, Hospitality, Tourism, Physical Education, Outdoor Education. In 2007 William Colenso College gained the award for the best school-based Outdoor Education programme in New Zealand and is still one of just a handful of schools to have achieved and maintained the 'OutdoorsMark' for the quality and safety of its programme. The programme allows students to gain qualifications in a wide range of outdoor activities such as rock climbing, kayaking, tramping, orienteering, snow craft, etc.
Not all subjects will be available at all times.

Extracurricular Activities

A wide range of sporting and cultural activities is available to William Colenso students. All students are encouraged to participate.

Winter Sports (April-Sept): basketball, soccer, rugby, hockey, netball, canoe polo, golf, squash, badminton, table tennis.

Summer Sports (Feb-April & Sept-Dec): volleyball, cricket, softball, tennis, hockey, kayaking, golf, athletics, swimming.

Cultural Activities: Maori culture, music, debating, drama production, public speaking.

Uniform

All students up to Year 12 level (Form 6) wear the school uniform. Year 13 (Form 7) students are permitted to wear normal day clothes.

International Department

William Colenso College is a signatory to the "Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students".

The International Department at William Colenso College assists and supports our overseas students in a number of ways:

• A full time International Director is employed to oversee the general welfare of International Students. Mr Robin Stewart is an experienced teacher who has taught in Asia (Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore) for ten years, so he has some idea what it is like to live in a culture which is very different from one's own. As well as processing applications and helping with immigration and insurance procedures, Robin helps students with selection of courses, integration into appropriate classes, advice on further education, etc.
• All International Students are accommodated in homestay situations with local families. To organize appropriate homestays, the school employs a Homestay Co-ordinator, Ms Jody Stent. Jody selects host families and places students in what she thinks will be the most suitable situation. She regularly interviews families and students to ensure all is well. All host families are police vetted.
• Two International Teacher Aides are also employed.  Ms Moira Terry and Mr Kana Kogga spend their time in classes helping international students who are experiencing difficulty. 
• ESOL classes operate for those students who may require extra assistance with their English. Such students are offered up to eight hours ESOL tuition per week with trained ESOL Tutor, Ms Julia Huang.
• A fully trained and experienced school Guidance Counsellor is also available to International Students if required.
• A nurse is 'on campus' most days to administer to students as necessary. 
• International Students are met at Napier Airport by their host family and a representative from William Colenso College.
• All students have controlled access to e-mail and the internet at school.
• A range of out-of-class activities is offered at different times during the year. These might include such things as a visit to Taupo/Rotorua, farm visits, fishing, sailing, skiing, etc. The cost of this programme is covered by the Contingency Fund.

Fees for 2013

Tuition fee: NZ$10,500
Administration Fee: $500
Government Levy: $420
Homestay fee (44 weeks @ $200): $8,800
Contingency fee (uniform, school trips, stationery, etc.): $1,500
Health and personal insurance: $500
Total fees for Year 2013: NZ$22,220

The homestay and contingency fees are held by the school and paid out on the student's behalf. Any unused amount is refunded when the student leaves the school.