Kia ora koutou and warm greetings,

The end of Term 2 and the beginning of Term 3 have seen a vibrant wave of international students join our school whānau, immersing themselves in co-curricular activities and out-of-classroom learning experiences. A highlight was the recent trip to Taupō, Rotorua and the Waikato, where a group of international students joined Mr Green and me for a memorable journey full of cultural discovery and fun. Click this link to read a student’s reflection.

We’ve proudly welcomed learners from Tahiti, Japan, China and Hong Kong with a warm Mihi Whakatau led by our talented kapa haka students.

In addition, we’ve hosted students from Shanghai Lingang and Jincai Experimental Middle Schools, as well as groups arranged through Yingzai Education and Miracle Land for short-term cultural and learning exchanges. Most recently, we welcomed students from Shaoxing No.1 High School, who will continue their journey through New Zealand, experiencing the best our country has to offer before returning home.

These visits have included engaging classroom activities and educational excursions around Auckland — including visits to MOTAT and the Auckland Museum. The Yingzai Education group, along with English language learners from Miracle Land, also explored the iconic town of Ōtorohanga and its Kiwi House, where they discovered Aotearoa’s native birds, plants, and curious creatures like the Giant Wētā.

It’s been a joy to see our international guests connecting with our students, staff, and culture. These exchanges not only enrich their learning but also offer our school community the chance to grow in understanding, friendship and global awareness. We look forward to more exciting opportunities to welcome and learn with international students in the weeks to come.

Ngā mihi nui,
Kendall Watson-Peach
Director of International Students.