Wellington High School

Wellington High School (www.wellingtonhigh.com) is the only state co-educational secondary school in Wellington City and has 1100 students. Founded in 1886 to offer a creative, innovative education it continues that proud tradition today. The school seeks academic excellence within a supportive yet challenging environment and has an established reputation in visual and performing arts supported by creative technologies.

Student success and diversity is celebrated and students are encouraged to take leadership roles in all aspects of school life. Students consistently win awards across a range of activities including: journalism, drama, computer, creative writing, jazz, film making and a range of sports.

Students are expected to achieve highly in the national examinations and are provided with focussed teaching and learning programmes

In 2004 Wellington High School won the New Zealand Education Exporter of the Year Award for its International Student programme and in 2007 was voted into the Top Four High Schools in the world for the 2007 Language Travel Magazine Annual Awards. It has accepted students from around the world since the 1950s and has well established programmes and procedures to ensure its 80 international students have excellent pastoral care and achieve their academic potential.

Experienced, qualified staff arrange home stays and English language lessons for international students.

Students' language ability is tested on arrival and students have language lessons to suit their ability. Classes are small and students receive individual attention.Many students sit and pass the City and Guilds ESOL examinations. The school is a registered centrefor PSAT testing.

All students under 18 years live with home stay families. Those over 18 may choose to live in the hostel or flat.

The orientation programme introduces students to New Zealand culture, the school and the New Zealand teaching and learning style though a hghly effectiveKiwi buddy system. Counsellors ensure that students are safe, happy and looked after.

The school offers a wide range of academic courses all leading to national qualifications and matriculation. Students study for and take the National Certificate of Education Achievement. All students who pass these external examinations may go on to tertiary education.

International students are encouraged to take the courses that they like and will succeed at. At the successful completion of a programme of study students are awarded a Graduation Certificate reflecting their all round achievements. Reports are sent home regularly and close contact is kept with families. All international students are given a free email account at school so they can contact families easily.

Extensive sports, music, drama and art are all included in the programme and international students are expected to participate in at least one activity.

Wellington High School is a solid multi-storey city campus with superior learning and teaching resources; seven science laboratories, photography darkrooms, seven computer laboratories, two gymnasium, technology workshops, music and drama rooms, recording studio, radio station and a modern library which supports the research-based learning across the school.

All the teachers are highly qualified and experienced. They are trained to teach students for whom English is not their first language.

Programmes of study can begin in February or July and are tailored to meet international student goals ranging from:

• to improve their English
• to have a wonderful cultural experience and see the country
• to achieve entrance to one of New Zealand's prestigious universities
• to have a gap year and return to university in their own country

Programmes last as long as students requireusually a year or semester.

Students taking a semester course are advised to start in February or April.

Prices are determined by programme and are available on application.

Home stays usually cost NZ$210 per week and there is an administration fee of NZ$500

All students are required to have Travel Medical insurance which the school can arrange for you for approximately NZ$475 a year.

A significant feature of Wellington High School is that students enjoy being here. The school has a dress code and encourages creativity. Relationships between teachers and students are respectful and friendly. Students develop independent self-directed learning habits.