William Colenso College

Napier is the business and port centre of the province of Hawke's Bay, a region well known as the premier wine producing area 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 withabout 700students. 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 walland 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 andvolleyball. Artificial tennis courts and hockey practice areas are available.

Courses Offered

William Colenso Collegeoffers a wide range of courses at all levels from Year7 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. Not all subjects will be available at all times.

The school employs 15 Teacher Aides to assist classroom teachers. The International Department employs two bi-lingual Teacher Aides (English/Chinese and English/Chinese/Japanese)

Extracurricular Activities

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

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 Collegeassists and supports our overseas students in a number of ways:

• Afull time InternationalDirectoris employed to oversee the general welfare of International Students. This is Mr Robin Stewart, 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 procedures, Robin helps students with selection of courses and their integration into appropriate classes.
• All International Students are accommodated in homestay situations with local families. To organize appropriate homestays, the school employs a Homestay Co-ordinator. Homestay Co-ordinator, Ms Jody Stent.Jody selects host families and places students in what she thinks will be the most suitable. She regularly interviews families and students to ensure all is well.
• TwoInternational Teacher Aidesare also employed. Ms Julia Huang and Ms Ko Lee-Hsiu from Taiwan spend most oftheir time in classeshelping international students who are experiencing difficulty. Having children of their own who have had to adapt to the New Zealand environment,they arewell aware of the difficulties experienced by our international students.
• A fully trained and experienced ESOL teacher operates classes for students who require extra English tuition. Mrs Sue Millington has recently returned to New Zealand after teaching in Brunei and Hong Kong so she understands the language difficulties experienced by some of our International Students.
• The fully trained and experienced school Guidance Counsellor is also available to International Students if required.
• A doctor and/or nurse is 'on campus' most days to administer to students as necessary.
• International Students are met at Napier Airport. Special arrangements can be made to have students met at Auckland International Airport and transferred to the appropriate domestic flight if required.
• All students have controlled access to e-mail and the internet.
• A range of out-of-class activities is offered at different times during the year, but 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 2008

Tuition fee: NZ$9,400
Homestay maintenance fee: $250
Homestay fee (44 weeks @ $175): $7,700
Contingency fee (uniform, school trips, stationery, etc.): $1,500
Health and personal insurance: $400
Total fees for Year 2008: NZ$19,250

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.