International Department

 This term we have a new international student manager, Mrs Temple. She has dived straight in and made a great start. Some come, some go and on Thursday 30th June the international department provided a morning tea for the students in order to farewell the boys from our school.

Karl Stoelzel Year 12 from Germany has been with us for 12 months doing the IB program. He is going back to Germany to finish his studies.

Nath Sirisaowaluk Yr 8 from Thailand is going home with his family after just over a month with us. He may return next year to start year 9.

Larry Lee Year 11 has gone back to Korea briefly before going to America to pursue his dream of becoming a Korean Airlines pilot.

Kazumasa Nakanishi in Year 10 from Japan has returned home after three months working on his English and experiencing New Zealand.

All students will be missed by us all and we wish them all the best for the future.

Whilst we are on the topic of farewells, we would like to stay good bye to one of our longest serving homestay families, Shirley and Neville Harvey, who are moving to Australia. This wonderful couple have had many of our international boys over the past years. They were farewelled at our International Homestay evening last Tuesday which was held in the Edgar Learning Centre (ELC). We had a fairly good turn out with about 6 host families and enjoyed a glass of wine, some nibbles and each other’s company. It was a great opportunity for us to all catch up and discuss how everyone is getting on as well as sharing some exciting stories from inside and outside of school life.

Looking ahead, the international department is planning a ski trip for next term and hope to see a good turn out on the slopes (and no, we won’t go snowballing).

We also have some boys going home for the holidays and we wish them safe travels. Please see the international social article in this edition of the newsletter to see how we got on at LEAP Trampoline park. Finally, please read below about the possibility of becoming a host family for an international student.Have a great holiday. - The international department team. Interested in becoming a Host Family for an International student?

Being a host family is a wonderful opportunity to welcome an international student into your home and share your everyday life while gaining an insight into a new culture. Being a host family is a unique experience providing a teenager support and a secure, solid base while they are away from home – the student will become part of your family!

A host family provides accommodation, food and the chance for the student to share in their family life during their stay in New Zealand.  

Please contact Kathryn Temple: kathryn.temple@mcglashan.school.nz