NZ boarding schools are built on the school system of English-speaking countries. Children start school at the age of 5 and graduate after 13 years of schooling.
The school year begins at the end of January and is divided into 4 quarters of 9-11 weeks. Between quarters there are two vacations of 2 weeks each. Summer vacations last 6-7 weeks. It is recommended that students from Europe arrive at the start of the New Zealand school year or towards the end of the European school year, i.e. by the third quarter in July.
At New Zealand boarding schools, the school day starts around 9 am and ends around 3:30. Pupils select subjects from a variety of areas. The technical equipment in private schools is above average, students have access to computers and the Internet. After lessons, as a rule, various extracurricular activities take place – sports, music, art, etc. Just like in England, Australia and Canada, in New Zealand private schools children wear school uniforms. The cost of the uniform is usually not included in the tuition fees.
Boarding School Types In New Zealand
Parents can choose the most suitable boarding school for their child from many types:
- Full boarding – all students live on campus;
- Day boarding – most of the students study and live on the school campus, some travel from the suburbs and nearby cities;
- 5-day / 7-day boarding school – in a 5-day boarding school, children study and live together from Monday to Friday, spending weekends at home, in a 7-day boarding school there is an opportunity to spend weekends on campus;
- Boys only / girls only / coeducational schools – in coeducational schools girls and boys study together, but live separately;
- Primary schools – accept students from grades 1 to 8;
- College prep schools – These schools prepare motivated students for college. Some of them offer programs for children with learning difficulties;
- Religious schools – these boarding schools put a special emphasis on a particular religion or spiritual development. As a rule, it is desirable that students also belong to this religion.
Admission And Knowledge of English
Admission to a private school may require an entrance test. Depending on the school, this can be “Secondary School Admission Test“ (SSAT) or “Independent School Entrance Examination“ (ISEE). International students can confirm their level of English proficiency using the “Secondary Level English Proficiency Test” (SLEP) or IELTS
– Huntley School (Marton)
– St Peter’s Cambridge
– Woodford House (Hawke’s Bay)
Huntley School (Marton)
The period of study is grades 3-8. The boarding school for boys and girls was founded in 1896 and is the oldest and largest in NZ. It is located in Marton – 30 minutes from Palmerston North and 2 hours from Wellington. This school has a wealth of experience in teaching international students, who were further admitted to many prestigious schools in New Zealand, the USA and the UK. From the first minute of your child’s stay in New Zealand, the boarding school takes all the care and responsibility for their comfort and safety. For international students, the boarding house provides:
- Transfer from airport to school;
- School uniforms;
- Health monitoring;
- Placing a child in a family on weekends and holidays (all these families are pre-checked by the police);
- Regular communication with parents by email, skype and phone;
- Regular events especially for international students.
Learning process
Class size is limited to 22 people. The school day begins at 8:30 am and ends at 5 pm, followed by comprehensive sports programs with professional coaches and teachers.
Distinctive features of the educational process in this school are:
- Qualified teachers in music, technology and science;
- Emphasis on literacy and numeracy. More than 50% of all lessons are devoted to this;
- Supervised homework every evening;
- Advanced academic programs where possible;
- Academic support for students in need of special learning assistance;
- All students study art, technology and woodwork under the guidance of specialist teachers.
Sports
Sports in Huntley are of great importance. Students must take part in sports games and school competitions. Children can choose from the following sports: cricket, tennis, softball, triathlon. In winter – rugby, hockey, football, netball. Sports available include athletics, squash, golf, cross-country running, mountain biking, triathlon, fishing, swimming, hiking, badminton, table tennis, basketball, ballet, horse riding.
Cultural development
At school, children have the opportunity to study music, theatre and art. 75% of Huntley students play musical instruments, the boarding house has 5 music teachers. Throughout the year, the boarding school hosts many different concerts, where children have the opportunity to perform, and the church choir is often asked to perform at concerts and in churches throughout the region.
In grade 8, there are very strong classes in stage speech, debate and public speaking. Children with a special talent in this sphere are taught by special teachers invited from the agency.
Accommodation
Huntley has one girls’ dorm and three large and one small boys’ dorm. In total, from 80 to 120 students live in the dormitories. Large dorms can accommodate up to 26 people. They are divided into 6 sections for 4 people. The small one accommodates 13 people. Each dorm contains children of different ages and each child has their own bed and storage space. There is a duty officer in the hostel to ensure order day and night.
Admission
Since the number of places in the school is limited, the school recommends taking care of admission in advance. First of all, you need to fill out the form and send it by email so that the school management is aware of your interest in admission next year. You can also schedule a tour of the school and a meeting with the principal if you have the opportunity. You need to apply for enrolment before June 1 to start studying next year. Academic and music exams and interviews take place in June and July. Further in August – September, the director conducts an interview with the future student, communicating with him about his school life and impressions of Huntley. This is a casual conversation in a relaxed atmosphere, but it is an important step for both parties. Within 2 weeks of the interview, you will be notified and if your child is accepted, you will need to pay a $ 550 fee to make a reservation for the next school year.
Tuition and living costs
Prices change from year to year, so the current information can be found on the school’s website.
Prices for the 2016 academic year:
Grades 3 to 6 – $ 3,477.25 per semester
Grades 7 to 8 – $ 3,713 per semester
Accommodation up to 2 years – $ 2,493.75 per semester
3 years and more – $ 2,359 per semester.
There is also a 5% discount for parents who send two or more children to the boarding house at once. If you pay the full cost before the start of the school year, you will receive a 2.5% discount
More details on the school website.
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St Peter’s Cambridge
One of the leading schools for girls and boys from grades 7 to 13, located on 37 hectares of parkland. The campus is built in a quiet open area with rural landscapes. The school has more than 1000 students, of which up to 60 students are international.
Learning process
When studying at school, Internet technologies and electronic devices are widely used. Each student has their own access to the St Peter’s network, their own e-mail and access to a wide range of educational resources and computer programs. Teachers and students use a virtual learning control system, where various links and assignments are posted to be performed in the classroom and outside the classroom. Computers with fast internet are available throughout the school, including the library and dorms, and students can also bring their laptops or tablets.
Sports
St Peter’s gives students a unique opportunity to realise themselves in various sports by becoming a member of one of the sports academies. A key aspect of these academies is to provide growth opportunities from a beginner to a well-trained athlete. Each member of the academy has access to first-class training equipment and highly qualified trainers.
Currently, 6 sports disciplines are available at the academies: golf, swimming, tennis, horse riding, rowing, cycling.
Cultural development
Qualified teachers provide extensive academic programs in music, dance, acting and singing with one-to-one lessons during the week. Other creative classes such as art, painting, photography, sculpture and fashion design are also available. Students have the opportunity to show their talents on stage and at various exhibitions. The school also has workshops for wood, metal and graphic design with the support of qualified teachers.
Accommodation
Most international students live in school dormitories. Each student’s room has a bed, a desk and a place for personal belongings. The dorms have modern bathrooms and common rooms with computers and TVs. Homework is supervised. Students have access to the library and computers after class.
Some international students live permanently with school-selected host families and travel to school on school buses with other New Zealand students. Homestay accommodation on weekends and holidays is available for all international students living on campuses. All families are carefully checked by the police and the school itself during the entire period of study.
Admission
Applications are accepted at any time of the school year. For admission, you do not need to pass any exams; admission is based on the results of an interview. It is enough just to be positive, successful in school and active in extracurricular activities. To apply, you need to fill out a form and send it to the boarding school along with a certified translation of the document on the child’s previous education. Within 10 days you will be sent a confirmation and all the necessary documentation, which you need to fill out and pay the Acceptance Fee. After that, you pay for tuition and accommodation, get a receipt and invitation from the school and apply for a student visa.
Tuition and living costs
Tuition fees:
Grades 7-8 – $ 34,250 per year
Grades 9-10 – $ 38,400 per year
Grades 11-13 – $ 40,100 per year
Acceptance fee – $ 1000 for the first year (for two children $ 500 each)
Advance deposit – $ 250 first year
Accommodation prices:
Grades 7-8 – $ 11,500 per year
Grades 9-13 – $ 13,250 per year
Homestay cost for weekends and holidays (approximate) – $ 2,800 per year
Homestay accommodation when studying at a day boarding house – $ 11,250 per year
More details about other costs can be found here – http://www.stpeters.school.nz/international-students/enrolment/Fees/
Tuition fees must be paid in full by November 30 of the year preceding the academic year.
In the 12th and 13th grade, there are discounts on tuition for students who entered the boarding school from 7th to 10th grade, as well as those who graduated from the previous year with honours.
More details on the school website.
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Woodford House (Hawke’s Bay)
An innovative boarding school for girls providing safe, fun and holistic learning from grades 7-13. Located in the most ecologically clean region of New Zealand on 18 hectares of beautiful parkland. Girls study in a loving environment that allows them to reach their potential and take full advantage of learning opportunities.
Learning process
At all levels of education, girls achieve outstanding results. Primary school core subjects grow into a wide range of high school electives in arts, music, business, foreign languages, mathematics, science, and more. Religious lessons from grades 7 to 9 are compulsory. All classrooms are equipped with the latest technology with interactive whiteboards and internet access. Education is balanced with extracurricular sports and cultural activities, in which students can realise themselves. The number of people in the classes is small, and the teachers have great experience and qualifications and are always ready to help if a child experiences any learning difficulties.
Sports
Woodford House has everything required for physical development. The school has a swimming pool, 2 gyms, a new field hockey lawn, an athletics field, beach volleyball court, tennis courts, jumps and treadmills. The boarding school offers various types of physical activity for girls, from disciplines that allow to simply keep fit (yoga, CrossFit, diving, tennis lessons, etc.) to sports such as athletics, cricket, football, rugby, volleyball, basketball, badminton, mountain biking, rafting, hiking, mountain trekking, rock climbing, skiing, surfing and more. In addition, girls have the opportunity to take part in extracurricular sports activities such as horse riding, orienteering, rowing and racing. The annual horse riding competition, organised by the school, brings together up to 150 riders from all over the North Island.
Cultural development
Until grade 11, acting is a compulsory subject. The school also provides ample opportunities for music lessons – acapella singing, choral singing, playing the violin or flute, playing in a rock band or jazz band. Private lessons on piano, violin, cello, flute, guitar, wind and percussion instruments are also available. Every two years, the school hosts a festival where girls can show their talents. In all years of study, students have the opportunity to engage in visual art and design. Art is a compulsory subject in grades 7, 8 and 9, further becoming an optional subject. Painting, photography, design and graphics are available in grades 12 and 13.
Accommodation
There are 5 dormitories in the boarding school, with mostly single rooms. Each dorm has a common room. Each dorm has a commandant, and the older girls help the younger ones in everything. Accommodation at the boarding school is organised so that the children are constantly busy with something and use every minute of their free time. Laptops and telephones are taken away at night and given out in the morning so that children can use them in their studies. Internet and social media access are monitored. The school also has 3 apartments that can accommodate 13th-grade students. The apartments have separate living areas, a kitchen, a laundry room – everything you need for an independent life.
Admission
To enter the school, you must fill out a form and send it by e-mail. After that, you will be sent a preliminary offer, which you need to sign and indicate the estimated date of payment for tuition. Then you can apply for a student visa and after it is approved, you pay for the tuition. The boarding house will send you a receipt and an invitation, after which you are considered enrolled in the Woodford House.
Tuition and living costs
Tuition fee – $ 20,000 per year. This includes all taxes and fees and the cost of required textbooks.
Accommodation price – $ 15,500 per year. This includes boarding during the study period and homestay accommodation during the 6 weeks vacation.
Administration fee – $ 2,000
School uniform – $ 1,500
Insurance – $ 580 per year
Personal account deposit – $ 5,000 per year. Created for your child’s various personal expenses, such as stationery, internet, school and sports trips, camps, extra music and acting classes, extra school uniforms, taxi costs, phone calls, going to concerts, etc. The unspent amount is refunded.
Woodford Alumni Association Lifetime Membership – $ 500
More details on the school website.
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To find a suitable school, please contact us through the contact page.
