Henderson High School

Welcome to the new Henderson High School, a community-minded school with a big heart.

Henderson High School is located in the west of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. We are very close to the West Coast, with its surf beaches. Henderson High School is a small, community school. Every student is important to us and we care for each one. We have a good teaching programme and excellent staff.

Our school has a sense of history and tradition, celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2003. At the same time, Henderson High is going in new directions. At the moment, a $5M redevelopment of the campus is underway. Thats why we call it the new Henderson High School!

Being a small school means that we can offer more personal attention to the needs of each student. The close relationships between students and our highly qualified teachers, ensure even better teaching and academic results. We also provide a safe environment for cultural and sporting activities, so students may develop well-rounded skills and interests.

Henderson High School offers strong, high quality teaching. Students are assisted toward independent learning and prepared for University and tertiary studies. We provide full support for National Examination, and for English language at all levels.

We have been teaching International Students for more than�15 years. Support comes directly from the International Student Director and the Homestay Coordinator. We are committed to developing in our students a desire to learn academic excellence, an opportunity to progress to University or Polytechnic level and a respect for different cultures.

The school's students benefit from our attention to an all-round education. The students feel at home, like part of a big family. They continue to benefit from the education they get at Henderson High School, as they venture into the tertiary and working worlds.

Wendy Wang, dux of the school for 2001 and an international student from China, says she loves the school. She said she felt sad about leaving the school to go on to tertiary education, after a two stay. She said that she loves the teachers. Like many international students, Wendy had fitted in to the school life. She achieved her goal of becoming the school dux and now looks forward to her future. She faces it with confidence, knowing she'll achieve her career goals because of a good head start she received from her education at Henderson High School.

Her school year book entry in 2001 tells the story of how many international students feel about the family atmosphere of Henderson High. She writes: Things I enjoyed at Henderson High School were all the teachers and students, all the love and support from teachers; making friends and the international student trip. Next year I plan to go to Auckland University and to the School of Engineering.

Wendy's positive educational experience is repeated by many other international students spoken to. Henderson High School has many international students each year. In 2002 the students were from Japan, China, Korea, Germany, Brazil, Austria, Indonesia and Thailand, a truly international mixture.

The school takes the students on an orientation trip around Auckland. Wendy wrote about the trip: It was so nice to feel accepted by the new school. It was so kind and thoughtful of the school to make our first moments here so warm and friendly.

Henderson High School is the oldest in the area, so it has strengths in traditions and in the quality of its teaching staff. Some of the staff have been at the school over 30 years, so they know the education syllabus like the back of their hand. Other staff are younger and from different backgrounds, but the one thing they all share is a dedication to helping the students achieve their goals.

The schools $5M modernisation programme will give students better facilities. The school will have a new Administration building, an architecturally designed new face for the schools park-like entranceway. The school enhancement project will include an upgraded pool and gymnasium, a new school road entrance, and two new split-level classrooms.

The school has a number of special programmes, offering cultural options like Kapa Haka and Pasifika; the accelerate and homeroom classes; and sporting options like climbing, tramping and surfing.

Many former students keep in close touch with the school, because of the education they had there. Former students often pop in to have a chat to their old teachers.

To develop good qualities in our students, we provide:

• Large, spacious classrooms
• Large, park-like grounds
• Sports facilities and many different sports teams. Dedicated sports and physical education departments
• Talented, qualified, enthusiastic staff
• Flexible learning opportunities, so students can study at different levels (including transition and technology departments)
• English as a Second Language (ESOL) courses, to prepare for IELTS
• Guidance counselling and Careers advisory service
• Mentoring options
• Expanded range of resources
• Flexibility to study at different levels (multi-level)
• Revamped buildings
• More teaching staff than before, giving a better teacher/pupil ratio than many other schools.

For international students, the strengths of Henderson High School include:

• Small School, Big Heart, and Top Staff: Henderson High School is a small, community school. Every student is important to us, and we care for each one. We have a good programme, and an excellent staff. Each child will get the best possible start in life at Henderson High School. Owen Hoskin, Principal, Henderson High School.
• Personal Attention to Each Student: Henderson High School prides itself on its ability to offer more personal attention to the needs of each student. The close relationships between students and our highly qualified teachers ensure even better teaching and academic results. We also provide a safe environment for cultural and sporting activities so students may develop well-rounded skills and interests. John Currie, Director International Students, Henderson High School.
• Homestay - We are very proud of our Homestay Accommodation service. Our International Student Coordinator personally checks out and selects each homestay for our students. Our chosen New Zealand families open their homes to have you as part of their family, and Henderson High School works with them to ensure every students is happy. The school is committed to guaranteeing every student a safe home and school environment.