Avonside Girls' High School

Avonside Girls' High School is set in parklike grounds beside the beautiful River Avon in Christchurch. It is close to the city centre and readily accessible by public transport. The school's gracious historic buildings have been modernised and provide attractively decorated classrooms and excellent facilities.

The school is well known for its warmth and its caring atmosphere.

Avonside is a State school for girls and it caters for the academic and social needs of all of its students. It is a multi-cultural school of 1200 students of whom about 50 are International students.

Avonside has a long tradition of accepting students from many parts of the world, and they have been successful and happy at the school. Most come to gain qualifications to enter University in New Zealand or in other English speaking countries and to experience another culture.

The Library and Information Centre has an excellent collection of books, and there are very good information technology resources which give access by Internet to many learning centres around the world. Email facilities are available for all students. A new Technology block provides equipment for all of the technology subjects.

There are specialist rooms for art, drama, design and graphics, information technology, photography, computing, music, languages as well as seven fully equipped science laboratories.

Physical education is taught in a modern gymnasium complex that includes a fitness and dance-room. Outside there are sports fields, tennis courts and a swimming pool.
Avonside challenges each student to do her best, and to participate in as many activities as possible so that she leaves school confident and independent to cope with life after school.

Courses

Avonside accepts students to study in YearsTen to Thirteen.

Students study for the national qualification that is available at each level, and some students have multi-level courses.

International students can study up to 8 hours of English each week.

In Year 11 students study six subjects including English, Mathematics, Science and choose from the areas of social sciences, drama, art, technology, computing, languages, music, business, health and physical education.

Year 12 students all study English and choose five subjects from mathematics, sciences, social sciences, art, graphics, health and physical education, languages, music, business, computing, technology, tourism, home ecomonics, textiles, media.

At Year 13 all students study five subjects and this can include English to gain IELTS or TOEFL qualifications. To attend University in New Zealand, the minimum qualification from 2004 is obtained from studying a minimum of 3 subjects, and English. The universities expect students to enter at least four subjects.

There are no full time English courses for beginners, and students should have studied English for at least three years in their own countries.


Extracurricular Programs

Students are involved in a rich and varied program of activities beyond the classroom. Many gain excellent leadership training. Some of the activities are: outdoor education, ski-ing, tramping, aerobics, athletics, basketball, cricket, golf, gymnastics, hockey, netball, rowing, swimming, tennis, badminton.

In the arts area there are: orchestra, bands, choirs, drama, debating, Maori and Pacific Island culture groups and language competitions.

There are also competitions in Science, Mathematics and English.

Application closing dates

By October, but applications are considered at any time of the year, and a number of students start at mid-year, about July.

Course start

Last week of January each year. For 2008,1stFebruary.

Airport pick-up

Students who are staying in an AGHS homestay will be met at the airport and taken to their accommodation.

Homestay

AGHS will organise homestay accommodation for students. There is a homestay coordinator at school. She arranges homestays in caring families who will also help the students with their English. They are provided with their own room and three meals per day.

Fees for 2008

NZ$11,000

This fee includes

• all class tuition
• ESOL ( English for Other Languages)
• Textbooks and school magazine
• Class materials ( except for photography, designand technology courses
• Class trips required for curriculum
• Class photograph
• a school email account
• Government charges

The fee does not include stationery, uniform, fees for social activities, private tuition, and private language qualifications (TOEFL, IELTS, etc)

Other costs

Homestay: NZ$190 per week for an AGHS homestay.
Health and travel Insurance -complusory for all International students, the school can organise this.
Personal expenses