Aquinas College Tauranga, New Zealand
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Aquinas College Tauranga, New Zealand International Students 2018 Enrolment Information Table of Contents Principal’s Welcome……………………………..... 3 General Background………………………………. 4 Support Network …………………………………… 4 Code of Practice ………....................................... 4 Special Character of the College ………………… 4 Term Dates ………………………………………... 5 Accommodation Arrangements …………………. 5 School Uniform …………………………………… 6 Extra Curricular Activities…………………………. 6 Academic Programme ......................................... 6 NCEA Examinations………………………...……. 6 English Language Tuition……………………….... 7 Class Placement & Entry Criteria………………… 7 School Fees………………………………………… 8 Fees Contract……………………………………… 8 Enrolment Information ………………………….… 9 Immigration………………………………………… 10 Health, Personal and Travel Insurance ................ 10 Transport …………………………………………... 10 Terms and Conditions of Enrolment .................... 11 Procedure for Enrolment………………………… 12 New Zealand Education System ......................... 13 2 Principal’s Welcome to Aquinas College We are a young school but have quickly developed an excellent record of welcoming and working with International Students. Aquinas College is a safe and friendly Catholic secondary school set on 25 park-like acres (10.7 hectares) on the edge of a busy, seaside city. Our New Zealand students and staff enjoy meeting International Students from different countries of the world, whether as individuals or as groups. International Students can choose to study from a wide range of curriculum subjects. There are also many music and sports to participate in. Our music is very strong and we currently offer 28 different sports. As a new and modern school we have outstanding facilities, including a large gymnasium and sporting complex. We have a highly qualified enthusiastic staff, with several specialist language teachers to help International Students, where required. Our International Students all enjoy the total educational experience of Aquinas College and recommend this College to others. We look forward to working with you in the future. Ray Scott PRINCIPAL 3 GENERAL BACKGROUND Aquinas College is a Catholic Integrated co-educational school catering for students from Year 7 through to Year 13 with the students' ages ranging from 11 to 18 years. Aquinas College was founded in 2003 and we now have a school roll of approximately 800 students. The College is situated in the city of Tauranga, which is two and a half hours drive south-east of Auckland, in the stunning Bay of Plenty region. In addition to the information in this booklet, more detail can be found on the College website – www.aquinas.school.nz SUPPORT NETWORK The Director of International Students oversees the pastoral care of International Students. The College also has a Guidance Counsellor, a nurse, a physiotherapist and a doctor available once a week on site. The number of International Students at Aquinas College is limited to 25 students. This is to ensure that our International Students are well cared for and given the time and support they need in order to settle in. International Students currently attending the school are from: Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Germany, Brazil, Italy and Chile. First language support is available through Tauranga’s ethnic community groups. CODE OF PRACTICE Aquinas College is a signatory to the Education Code of Practice (Pastoral Care of International Students) 2016, as established under section 238F of the Education Act 1989. Copies of the Code are available on request from our College or from the NZQA website in a variety of languages at: www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/education-code-of-practice/ SPECIAL CHARACTER OF THE COLLEGE Aquinas College has a clearly defined Special Character with the key values of Truth, Scholarship, Service, Prayer, Joy and Family as the College Touchstones. The College is named after St Thomas Aquinas, the Patron Saint of Catholic Schools, whose life epitomizes the key qualities we all aspire to at Aquinas College. Aquinas College is an inclusive school and International Students do not necessarily have to be Catholic to attend. However, they must be open-minded and willing to participate in a variety of school-wide events throughout the year. These include School Masses and liturgies, year level Retreats and other special celebrations. 4 2018 TERM DATES The dates for school holidays change slightly each year. The New Zealand school year has four terms: Term 1 Wednesday 31 January - Friday 13 April Term 2 Monday 30 April - Friday 6 July Term 3 Monday 23 July - Friday 28 September Term 4 Monday 15 October - Wednesday 12 December Year 11, 12 and 13 students’ finish school when their national external exams are completed which is usually at the end of November. Senior International Students are expected to participate in a school-run activity programme until the end of November if they are not sitting NCEA exams. Year 7 - 10 students are required to stay until the end of their school year. Year 10 students go away on camp at the end of the year and it is important that all students participate in this. While the academic year begins in February, students may be enrolled at any time throughout the school year. ACCOMMODATION ARRANGEMENTS International Students at Aquinas College must live with either: a) Parents or Legal Guardian b) Designated Caregiver nominated by the Parents c) New Zealand Host Family arranged by the College Flatting is not permitted. The Homestay Placement Fee is NZ$500 which includes the cost of finding and inspecting the homestay, obtaining Police Vetting, as well as continuing to monitor the arrangement. Homestay Fees are NZ$250 per week for 46 weeks of the year. This covers the cost of caregiver supervision, a fully furnished and heated room, all meals and laundry. The student is expected to keep their room clean and tidy. The total Accommodation Fee of NZ$12,000 for 46 weeks is to be paid in full at the same time as the Tuition Fees. SCHOOL UNIFORM All Aquinas College students are expected to be correctly and tidily dressed, especially in public when traveling to and from school. Only approved uniform items may be worn. Uniform Shop • The College has second-hand uniforms available for purchase at a reduced cost. See the Director of International Students about 2nd hand uniforms at least 1 week prior to starting school. • All new uniform items must be purchased at: - NZ Uniforms, 94 Elizabeth St, Tauranga 5 EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Aquinas College offers a wide range of extra curricular activities. Students have the opportunity to receive specialist music tuition and perform in groups such as jazz band, concert band and the College Choir. Students can participate in dance events such as Stage Challenge & Fresh Moves which are locally judged competitions. The Aquinas College Musical Production occurs every two years. Students help to make this show a success by not only performing, but also by assisting backstage and making costumes and set design. There are also many indoor and outdoor sports available for students to play. The Aquinas Action Centre is a superb sporting facility with a fitness & weights room on site. ACADEMIC PROGRAMME Aquinas College maintains high academic standards and has a structure and culture which strives for excellence. International Students are expected to participate in all aspects of the NCEA curriculum. Religious Studies take place at every year level. NCEA - NATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT NCEA, Levels 1, 2 and 3 are National Qualifications awarded by NZQA (New Zealand Qualifications Authority). NCEA External Examination Fees cost $386 per year (level) of study. This is additional to the $12,000 tuition fee. Registration for NCEA examinations is optional for International Students studying at Aquinas College for one year or less. International Students who intend to continue their education in New Zealand will need this qualification to gain entry into any tertiary institution. Note: NCEA fees are due at approximately the end of July. ENGLISH LANGUAGE TUITION English support (ESOL) is offered to students for whom English is a second language. Class placement will depend on the student’s English ability and is at the discretion of the College. CLASS PLACEMENT & ACADEMIC ENTRY CRITERIA Years 7 - 10 All students will be assessed prior to placement and will undertake a grammar, listening, and vocabulary test as well as providing a writing sample. Year 7 & 8 Students will be placed in mainstream classes which will be determined by their age. Students will be assisted in the ESOL support programme and will be withdrawn from some mainstream classes. Year 9 & 10 Students will be placed in classes appropriate to their age and level of English. Subject courses undertaken will be negotiated with the student and is at the discretion of the school. Students receiving ESOL support will be withdrawn from some mainstream classes. 6 Senior Academic Course Together with a writing example, the following indicators are used in determining class placement. Year 11 - NCEA Level 1 Students who are not sitting NCEA will be placed in an ESOL English programme which will replace mainstream English classes. Entry to NCEA Level 1 subjects will be determined by the student’s English placement test results in consultation with the subject Head of Faculty. • Score at least 120 on the Oxford Placement Test Year 12 - NCEA Level 2 Students who are not sitting NCEA will be placed in an ESOL English