Thames High School by KiwiToday Education Centre

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL Kia ora Thames High School welcomes students from all parts of the world. We believe that study abroad is an enriching experience for everyone involved. Over the years, our school has built up the infrastructure and mechanisms which ensure that visitors enjoy a safe and happy stay. “Sharing the unique Coromandel experience with you” is our slogan. We are situated in a semi-rural environment, with beautiful natural surroundings and although smaller than many other schools, our range of options in the academic, sport and cultural sectors are extensive. We hope that you will enjoy reading this International Prospectus. We realise it is a mere snap shot of the broad range of experiences which you can enjoy here, so should you require any further information, then please access our school website www.thames-high.school.nz or contact us directly. Hopefully, we can look forward to welcoming you at our school in the near future. Yours sincerely

Dave Sim – Principal

THAMES HIGH SCHOOL Thames High School is a co-educational, state secondary school catering for students from Year 9 to Year 13. It opened in 1880, making it one of New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest schools. Today about 650 students, both girls and boys, attend the school and about 15 of these are internationals. School buses bring about a third of the students to school each day from outlying areas. The rest live in Thames itself and can walk to school. Students start high school in Year 9, when they are aged about 13. They can stay until Year 13, when they move on to other education and training, or start a job. In New Zealand students must stay at school until they are aged at least 16. The facilities at Thames High School are very good. The school has a very good library, with its own set of computers and Internet access, a new technology block, excellent science laboratories, and two computer rooms and most classrooms have internet access. It has two art rooms and its own photography darkroom. The School has a number of sport fields, a large swimming pool, a multipurpose gymnasium which also includes a rockclimbing wall.

THAMES Thames is a safe, semi-rural town of about 7,000 people. It is situated at the base of the Coromandel Peninsula and is just over one hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive from Auckland The Coromandel, which has a rich history of gold mining and timber logging, is famous for its access to beautiful beaches and natural scenery. In summer, many New Zealanders come here for their holidays. Tramping, fishing, kayaking, boating and sailing are enjoyable past-times. Thames is a thriving service town for the region and has a busy shopping centre, a large 24 hour hospital, a well stocked library and numerous sporting and cultural facilities and organisations. Tourism is a growing industry in the region and the much anticipated railroad cycle track, which will begin in Thames, should attract even more visitors. The Thames Airport also includes a Flying School which offers a package to those students wanting to learn to fly small aircraft or gliders For further information of the town and the region, see websites www.thecoromandel.com www.thames-info.co.nz

ACADEMICS

THS offers a full and comprehensive range of subjects at all levels. Junior secondary students study up to nine subjects during the year. YR11 and YR12 students must select six subjects from a range of options. Most YR13 students only take five, and use their free time to study. On arrival, all international students will be tested with a range of diagnostic tests to determine their level of English competency. o

If their English is at a basic elementary level then without incurring any extra costs, the student can participate in an Intensive English course at the EVAKONA Language School which is situated alongside the school. The student will be assessed regularly, and will only become fully mainstreamed once their English reaches the Intermediate level.

If, on arrival, the International Students pass the English assessment, which is roughly equivalent to a TEOFL score of 450 (paper based) or 133 (computer based) or Elementary Level of Oxford Placement Test, they will be placed in mainstream classes according to their academic ability, and will also join an ESOL class.

The school reserves the right to decide the appropriate course enrolment, particularly if the student is not at the requisite level.

Thames High School does its best to place students in the subjects they choose. See the Curriculum Flowchart to learn about subject choices. The Thames High School Curriculum Guides can also be sent to you for more detailed information. Arrangements can be made for students who wish to sit the TOEFL and IELTS examinations.

CURRICULUM FLOWCHART 2012 ARTS

YEAR 9 Art

YEAR 10 Art

YEAR 11 Art Drama

YEAR 12 Visual Art Photography Drama

YEAR 13 Visual Art Photography Drama

Drama

Music

ENGLISH

English Literacy

English OR Mid-Level English OR Foundation English

English Mid-Level English Communication English

English Mid-level English Communication English

SOCIAL SCIENCE

Social Studies

Geography History

Geography History Classical Studies

Economics

Geography History Classical Studies Travel &Tourism Economics Accounting French

French

Economics Accounting French

Te Reo Maori

MATHEMATICS

Mathematics Numeracy

Mathematics OR Mid-level Mathematics OR Everyday Mathematics OR Numeracy

Mathematics Mid-level Mathematics Mathematics with Statistics

Calculus Statistics & Modelling

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education

Physical Education Active Learning Through Movement Health

Physical Education Outdoor Education Active Learning Through Movement Health

Physical Education Outdoor Education

Health

Physical Education Outdoor Education Active Learning Through Movement Health Home Economics/Health

Home Economics/Hospitality

Home Economics /Hospitality

Science OR Mid-Level Science OR Living Science OR Everyday Science SPEC /Transition

Physics Chemistry Biology Sustainable Science Living Science Electronics

Physics Chemistry Biology Sustainable Science

Distance Learning

LANGUAGE

SCIENCE

Science

SPECIAL PROGRAMMES

TECHNOLOGY

Health

Technology in: Food Wood Metal Fabric & Design

Technology in: Food Metal Wood Fabric & Design

Design technology in:

Automotive Engineering Furniture Making Fabric & Design

Graphics & Design

Digital Technology

Digital Technology Programming Digital Technology Print Media

Digital Technology Interactive Digital Technology Advanced

N.B. The underlined subjects are compulsory for that Year Group

Economics Accounting French

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES Thames High School prides itself with a rich and vibrant cultural life. The Music Department is strong. Music tuition is available for most musical instruments from trained teachers who visit the school each week. The school boasts a top quality choir, school orchestra as well as jazz and rock bands. The Drama Department is also very active. Each year, it stages a major musical production, and there are many other opportunities to perform, or to get involved backstage, helping with the costumes, props, and lights. There is also a Maori Cultural Group (Kapa haka), which practises each week and performs at important occasions for the school. The town itself offers a rich cultural heritage and there are a number of organizations that one can become involved in. There is a very active Musical Theatre Group which stage at least two major shows each year and the Thames Concert Band plays an active life in the community and heritage and historical societies abound. Art groups are popular and there are numerous other clubs which cater for interests ranging from dancing to stamp collecting!

SPORT

Sport is probably the quickest and easiest way to make friends and integrate into the life of the school â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and learn English! Thames High School offers over 30 sport codes. They include rugby, basketball, netball, soccer, cricket, bowls, hockey, badminton, tennis and golf. Sport facilities include playing fields, a swimming pool, tennis and netball courts as well as a gymnasium. A rock climbing wall and hockey training turf has just been installed. Students also have access to the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facilities such as the squash courts, golf club and shooting range. Membership of most of these clubs is encouraged if it is a sport code which they enjoy. The school prides itself on its sports achievements and can boast achievements in regional, provincial and even national level.

ACCOMMODATION All international students are placed in a home-stay whose family has been vetted and approved by the International Education Department. Careful consideration is taken before placing a student and every endeavour is made to make the most suitable match. The international student is welcomed into that family as a fully functioning member and he or she is guaranteed a single private bedroom, with a comfortable bed, storage and a desk. Most home-stays are located in the township of Thames, so school and amenities are within easy walking distance. If placed on a farm or along the coast, there will be a free school bus each day to transport the student to and from Thames. Throughout the stay, all aspects of accommodation are closely monitored and support staff and procedures are in place should the student need assistance.

STUDENT STORIES Miho Matsui (Japan) I have been at Thames High School for two years and during that time my English has improved a lot. What helped was to join in the activities at the school and choir was my main one. I enjoyed taking music as a subject as well.

Tobi Muth (Germany) Soccer, cycling and outdoor activities are what I enjoy at Thames High School. The fishing on the Coromandel is good â&#x20AC;&#x201C; especially from a kayak or a sailing boat! It is also great that you are able to get your pilot licence at the local Flying School in Thames â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the rates are relatively inexpensive and the airfield is within walking distance of the high school.

Jason Chung (China) The easiest way to make friends has been through playing sport. For me, basketball has been a lot of fun and the outdoor activities have been great. Learning is different here, but I like the way students are treated more as individuals.

Josson Kollamparampil (India) Studying at Thames High School is very different from studying in India. Firstly there are a lot of options to choose from and some subjects are completely new to me. Secondly it is a lot more relaxed and even though you learn a lot, it is more fun while you learn. At first these differences seemed difficult to understand, but now I enjoy the new way of learning.

STUDENT STORIES Marina Ceravolo (Brazil) Thames High School is a school full of life and people who are always smiling and they are there for you when you need someone. I am a person who loves being around friends and I made a lot of friends at Thames High. Besides I had the opportunity of learning another language, and to know a new culture with dedicated teachers and great school mates.

Valentina Leon Valdivia (Chile) Because Thames is a small town, it is easy to be able to walk to school, the shops and the various facilities. Even though it is not a city, there are a number of things to do and Auckland or Hamilton is only a short bus ride away. For me the International Food Festival was a highlight and my empanadas soon disappeared!

Federico Di Benedetto (Italy) Studying at Thames High School has been the best experience in my life. The school community was very friendly and kind and I felt welcomed right from when I first arrived. Maybe it is because it is a smaller town, everyone knows everyone else, so you are special. I loved being part of the soccer team and there were so many other things to do. There is a lot more I can say, but I just wish I could have stayed longer!

Nattachar Kijmoke (Thailand) I extended my stay at Thames High School because I enjoyed the friendly learning environment. In particular, being part of the school orchestra was a lot of fun and we performed at a number of concerts, functions and competitions. Living on the Coromandel peninsula is a very special experience.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Step one: Student sends a completed and signed Application for Enrolment as an International Student to Thames High School by fax or email. Step two: Thames High School reviews the application, and sends a Conditional Offer of Place/invoice and a Tuition Agreement. (If the student is declined, the applicant will be notified in writing.) Step three: After carefully reading all the information provided by Thames High School, the student and parents complete and sign the Tuition Agreement and return it to along with the invoiced fees. The student and parents must keep a copy of the signed Tuition Agreement. Step four: Thames High School then sends a Confirmed Offer of Place to the student, which is also their receipt. Step five: The student applies for a student visa, and then advises Thames High School of the details of the flight he/she will arrive on. Step six: A member of the International Department of Thames High School will meet the student at the airport, and take the student to his/her home-stay. The above-mentioned forms can be accessed on the school website www.thames-high.school.nz

CONTACT DETAILS Mike Dwight Director of International Education Thames High School Sealey Street PO Box 706 Thames 3540 New Zealand Phone +64 7 8688688 ext 827 Mobile 027 670 8880 Fax

+64 7 8686240

Email mdwight@thames-high.school.nz

Homestay Enquiries Contact Pauline Whittle at school or email her at: internationalsupport@thames-high.school.nz Enquiries of a general nature: office@thames-high.school.nz For further information about the school, see website: www.thames-high.school.nz