Rodney College by KiwiToday Education Centre

International Prospectus

Our Principalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Message On behalf of Rodney College, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you. The college is known for our outstanding NCEA examination results as well as being a friendly and welcoming school where students and staff all know each other and show a high level of care and respect towards each other. We are committed to providing a safe environment for students with a strong level of support for students though our pastoral care and house system. We look forward to welcoming your child to Rodney College and providing a very positive and memorable experience during their time in New Zealand.

Dave Ormandy MSc(Hons), Dip.Tchg.

Rodney College

Rodney College is a co-educational secondary school catering for students from Year 9 to year 13. The school services a very widespread coastal, urban, rural and semi rural community. On this very narrow part of the island, just north of Auckland, some students come from the west coast of the island and some students from the east coast. Wellsford town, where the school is situated, is central to all these communities. We are a smaller, very friendly school of 350 students, both boys and girls of which we have around 15 international students. Our students know each other and their teachers very well and even though they are placed in their year group classes for their academic studies they frequently come together with a range of year groups for sports and cultural activities. Close friendships and healthy team rivalry is built through frequent school wide sporting, recreational and cultural activities.

graphics and food technologies. It has computer rooms, dedicated arts, music, horticulture and agriculture faculties as well as a large gymnasium, swimming pool, soccer, hockey, rugby ďŹ elds and tennis, netball and basketball courts. We have a virtual classroom for distance learning, a school hall for live performances and assemblies, a school marae (Maori meeting house) and our own canteen that sells a range of quality foods for the students. Many of our students travel to school by bus from all the outlying districts. These buses are free and only for our school students to travel on. The students that live in Wellsford, where our school is located, walk to school.

Students start their secondary schooling at around 13 years of age in Year 9 and carry on their education up to Year 13 where they then move on to employment or tertiary studies. The students sit NCEA (National CertiďŹ cate of Educational Achievement) exams in Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13. New Zealand students must stay at school until they are 16 years of age. Rodney College has a range of quality educational facilities with a central library, science laboratories, a new technology block for wood and metal design, fashion,

Rodney District

The Rodney District is part of the Auckland Super City and has a growing population. Mangawhai

Paciﬁc Ocean

Rodney College Wellsford

Goat Island

Matakana

Warkworth

Kaipara Harbour

East Coast Beaches

The east coast has exquisite beaches, safe harbours and is sheltered by many off shore islands, making it perfect for sailing, surﬁng and water sports. We have a National marine park which is very popular for scuba diving and snorkelling. On the west coast there is the largest harbour in the southern hemisphere, the mighty Kaipara Harbour and here the coastline is famous for its ﬁshing and the vast beaches are popular for landyacht sailing. Mangawhai, with its very popular surf beaches and Matakana with its markets, festivals and shopping are tourist destinations and holiday hot spots. The district has many entertainment and sporting facilities with several coastal golf courses. The regions parks, lakes, beaches and forests are popular with campers, trampers, horse riders and bike riders. The beautiful farmlands offer home stay families on farms or lifestyle blocks with many home stays providing facilities and horses for horse riding as part of their Kiwi experience. Most families have a range of animals or pets.

Auckland CBD

Rodney College School Zone

Tourism is a growing industry in the area and we have an exciting, traditional Maori Village at Te Hana with night shows and visits to this classic, authentic village. Rodney College offers packages to students who wish to learn or improve their skills in sailing, surﬁng or equestrian show jumping while here in New Zealand with quality instructors as a part of their schooling programme. For further information on our region see websites:

10 km 4 ml

www.mangawhai.co.nz www.matakanacoast.com ...

www.tehana.co.nz www.kaipara.govt.nz

Academic Studies

Rodney College achieves academic excellence and attains very high results at a National Level. On the Auckland Secondary School league table we are ranked 8th out of 72 schools for University Entrance and Scholarship pass rates. 100

85.1

63.4

68.1

% of Students who attained NCEA 69.3

NCEA RESULTS 75.5

87 70.8

2009

RODNEY COLLEGE

National Average

For a level 3 pass the students need 60 credits at level 3 or above and 20 level 2 credits. Students staying for a school calendar year in senior school are expected to sit NCEA papers at the end of the year. NCEA qualiďŹ cations are recognised in Europe, USA, Australia, UK, Canada and South America.

0 Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

100

% of Students who attained NCEA 56

NCEA RESULTS 70

2010

For students coming in to the school with little English then without incurring any extra cost, the student can participate in ESOL language classes. The student will be main streamed once their English is at a competent level. They may attend an ESOL class for one or two periods per day within the school, as well as their regular mainstreamed classes.

RODNEY COLLEGE National Average

Rodney College offers Spanish and French languages through to Year 13 with a specialist teacher and the Japanese language can be accessed through Virtual Classroom lessons held in a dedicated E-learning space.

0 Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Rodney College offers a comprehensive range of subjects at all levels. Junior secondary students study up to 11 subjects per year and they must study English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Physical Education and Health. Year 11 and Year 12 students must select six subjects from a range of options and in Year 11 English, Mathematics and Science is compulsory. In Year 13 students take only ďŹ ve subjects and use their one study period per day to work independently. To obtain a pass in NCEA level 1 student need 80 credits at level 1 or above. For a pass at level 2 students need 60 credits at level 2 or above and 20 credits at level 1.

Other specialist subjects that are very popular with our International students are Outdoor Education and Sports Coaching, the Wood technologies, Automotive and Metal technologies, Photography, Farming, Hospitality and Food technologies, Fashion and Design, Visual arts, Music and Digital technologies. Rodney College does its best to place students in the subjects they choose and at the level of study that meets their needs. Some students work across more than one academic level as a result. See the Curriculum Flowchart to learn about subject choices. Rodney College can also send you more detailed information in a Subject Choice handbook if requested.

Curriculum Flow Chart JUNIOR COURSES

SENIOR COURSES

YEAR 9

YEAR 10

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

English

English Literacy

Alternative English

Communications English Te Reo Maori

Te Reo Maori

Maori

French

Spanish

Mathematics

Mathematics A

Mathematics with Calculus

Mathematics B

Mathematics with Statistics

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Agriculture/ Horticulture

Farming Skills

Geography

Tourism

History

Economics

Physical Education

Outdoor Education

Design & Technology (wood)

Design & Materials Technology (hard materials)

Communications Mathematics

Mathematics (work place numeracy) Science

Science

Applied Science

Social Studies

Physical Education & Health

Physical Education

Materials Technology â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wood

Wood Technology

Design & Technology (wood)

Engineering Technology

Engineering Technology & Automotive

Textiles Technology

Textiles & Fashion Technology

Technology Fashion & Textiles

Textiles & Design

Design & Communication

Design & Visual Communication

Design & Visual Communication (Graphics)

Building Construction

Digital Technology

Food Technology

Hospitality

Visual Arts

Art

Photography

Music

Maori Performing Arts

Drama

Employment Skills

Gateway

Early Childhood Education

Employment Skills

For subjects linked with solid arrows, a higher-level course can only be taken if the previous level has been satisfactorily completed. For subjects linked with dotted arrows, it is highly desirable that a previous level course be completed. ...

Experience life at Rodney College

Cultural Activities

Rodney College has a vibrant and varied cultural life. The Music Faculty is very strong and students can select a range of instruments to learn and play. We have several school bands varying from jazz, acoustic, to rock bands. The students enjoy playing at several festivals throughout the year and at school performances. Individual tuition is available on a weekly basis with a range of instruments. There is a school choir and there are many opportunities for students to entertain at class and at school wide performances held regularly throughout the year as part of their school activities. We have a dedicated Maori Performing Arts Group (Kapa Haka) and students travel to regional festivals and perform at school events throughout the year. The drama department is active and we have a school wide Variety Concert each year that all the students can be involved in if they wish, either as a performer, script writer, stage hand, props or costume designer. We have a specialist drama tutor who runs a lunch time and after school programme which culminates in community performances during the year. The Wellsford community also has a very active Drama Club that several of our students belong to. We have a very active debating club that competes very successfully in the Auckland region and this team is extremely well coached by our Head of English. Throughout the year the school has a range of social activities like our school ball and there is much excitement in preparing for this annual event with ballroom dancing lessons, hall decoration and food preparation. We get involved in fundraising for charities, both local and international, like World Vision. These school community activities are a lot of fun and a great way to make new friends.

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Sport

Sport is probably the quickest and easiest way to make friends and get involved in the life of the school-and to learn English! Rodney College has an outstanding sporting record and we have a very proactive sports department where students can play very competitive or social sport on a daily basis and can experience many trips way to other schools to compete either during the week or in the weekends. We have a range of over 30 codes from clay bird shooting to snow skiing. We have very competitive teams in the codes of basketball, tennis, soccer, rugby, squash, rugby 7’s, netball, badminton, triathlon, athletics, cross country running, swimming, touch rugby and surfing. As well as our school wide sports programme our International students have the opportunity to participate in the Education Plus programme which is runs like an academy. The student can choose to have specialist tuition with very experienced and qualified instructors off site in the sporting codes of Surfing, Sailing and Equestrian Show jumping. Each particular programme has its respective fee and is available at the request of the individual student. Our sporting facilities include large playing fields, a swimming pool, tennis and netball courts, as well as a gymnasium and rock climbing wall. Students have access to the town’s golf course, squash courts, and tennis courts. Our surf beaches, lake and rivers are used for surfing and kayaking. Our school prides itself on its achievements at regional, national and in some sports, International level.

Education Plus

Our students are able to obtain a quality academic, cultural and sporting programme at Rodney College. As well Rodney College offers Education Plus which is individualised sporting tuition at the following academies: • Sailing • Surﬁng • Showjumping

Sailing Students pay $100.00 for 3 hours of instruction (All equipment provided) with Olympic coach, John Morgan, at Sandspit Yacht Club in the beautiful waters of the Hauraki Gulf. • Laser yachts for more advanced sailors • Optimist yachts for beginners if learning to sail • Crewing available on cruising yachts for evening and weekend sails for more experienced sailors Lessons can be held each week or as required as part of this programme from February to May and September to January. Students will be taken to the venue and returned to school on the day of instruction. Students experience safe sailing in sheltered waters surrounded by many beautiful off shore islands.

Surfing Students can learn to surf with Wayne Glover, one of New Zealand’s most experienced and highly qualified surf coaches and owner of Aotearoa Surf School- based at Mangawhai/Te Arai just 30 minutes from the school. You will be surfing at some of the best surfing beaches in

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New Zealand. The beaches are safe and well renowned for their quality surf, clear water and clean white sands. • Students will be collected from school and delivered back at the end of the school day. • Students will travel to the best of the local surf beaches on the days most suitable for instruction, up to one day per week if requested. • Transport, wetsuits, surfboards and up to 4 hour hours coaching are provided. • This can be an all round year activity and students will pay just $120.00 per day.

Showjumping Students will be collected from school and can continue with their dressage or showjumping competencies with instruction from Michelle and Bruce Wakeling. Bruce has had international show jumping and cross country course building experience at Olympic and World Games events and Michelle rides at a very competitive level in New Zealand. • Students need to have some experience with horses and beginner to very competent riders can be catered for on school master to younger “beginning serious competition” horses. • Instruction is held in a quality arena and will be arranged as suits individual needs on a weekly basis over a number of weeks as requested. • Expenses will be $150.00 per lesson and this will be a morning or afternoon activity. • A range of quality horses are available with the appropriate tack for each rider and horse.

Accommodation

All International students are placed in a home stay whose family has been visited and approved by the International Education Department. Careful consideration is taken before placing a student and every endeavour is made to have the best ďŹ t to meet each individualâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs. The international student is welcomed in to the family as a fully functioning family member. The student is guaranteed their own room, with a comfortable bed, bedroom storage furniture and a desk. Rodney College home stay families can be at the beachside towns on the east coast, on lifestyle blocks, farms, or in the township of Wellsford or Kaiwaka. If the students are placed outside of Wellsford they will travel to school by bus, which is free each day to and from the college. Students are only 30 minutes or less to larger suburbs near Auckland and 50 minutes to Whangarei, another city north of Rodney College. It is quite safe for the students to travel on public transport to Auckland city or to other towns in New Zealand. Throughout the stay, all aspects of accommodation are monitored and there is pastoral care staff and procedures in place should the student need assistance.

Student Stories

Luisa Nuhr I really enjoy being at my New Zealand home with my host parents, Sandy and Ron. They are friendly, funny, open to learn new things about me and my home and I know they are always there for me if I’m not feeling very well. I always feel welcome and I am always involved in activities like horse riding or visiting the family. They do very much for me to make my time in New Zealand unforgettable. I have been on a geography trip to Rotorua which I really enjoyed and I went rock climbing with my physical education class for a day trip. I’ve also been on a day trip to the Auckland zoo. As an international student you can do all the trips the school offers even if you are not part of the class. I also enjoy the subjects that are not offered in Germany, like Textiles and Outdoor Education. I do lots of horse riding at home in New Zealand. I also have my own young horse here, which I can “break in” with my host mum. I enjoy riding after school and on the weekends we sometimes go riding at the beach which is a lot of fun. In the spring holidays I have been on a tour through the South Island with many other people my age, which I really enjoyed. I have done skydiving and rafting and we had so much fun all together. There was also the opportunity to do many other activities like bungee jumping, canyon swing or helicopter ﬂights.

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I have also done the Spirit of Adventure sailing voyage on a tall ship to Great Barrier Island which was a lot of fun as well. I have made many new friends and had an awesome time on the boat. We learned to sail and did some work, but we also had free time to hang out on the deck or to jump off the boat into the water. I learned quite a lot about myself there as well.”

Kaori Koyabu Hi, I am Kaori and I’m from Japan. Japan was affected by an earthquake and tsunami about six months ago. That was terrible. Many people were killed in the earthquake and the nuclear power plant exploded and so ﬁsheries, industries, fruit and vegetable gardens and stockbreeding got affected with radioactivity. People can’t eat local food because they are radioactive. I hope Japan will recover! By the way, why did I come to NZ? Because I’d like to learn English, so I am happy to be in NZ. I like my host family. They are very kind. They have four horses so on the weekends and after school we go horse riding. They also have lots of other animals. I think Rodney College is a good school because when I came here I was so nervous but many students said Hello, so thank you for making me happy. Now I have a few friends but I would like to make more friends. I have six months left so I have more things to enjoy in NZ.”

Friederike Gertz Hi. My name is Friederike Gertz, I`m 16 years old and at the moment I live in Wellsford. Normally I live in Hamburg. Hamburg is in the North of Germany. I live in a house with a big garden. In my free time I do rowing, vaulting and horse riding. I also meet my friends after school and at weekends we go to many concerts in Hamburg City. My father, Carsten, works in a big company near my hometown and travels a lot for his job. My mum, Meike, works three days a week for a lawyer. My brother, Jonas, is 12 years old and goes to school. I will stay in Wellsford until July 2012. I came to New Zealand because it was my dream since I was 10 years old. I have been here now for three months and I really enjoy everything here. My host family lives near Wellsford on a small farm with many animals. Because my host family also has horses I can go horse riding, like I do in Germany. With our dogs I can go for long walks on the beaches and on the weekends we have already been to Auckland a few times. When I had my ﬁrst day at Rodney College, everybody was really friendly and I met a lot of nice people. I am very happy here and at the moment I don’t want to think about having to go back to Germany one day.”

Moritz Gmeiner Hello, my name is Moritz Gmeiner and I was an international student at Rodney College for one term. I think that Rodney College was a really good choice, because all students and teachers are very friendly. You have many interesting subjects to choose from and

my favourites were Physical Education and Physics. The different house-competitions are really interesting to watch and I took part in the Miles House Concert. I opened the show by playing the piano! I had the opportunity to go scuba diving for a day and I spent a weekend sailing on the Principal’s yacht. My homestay family also took me to Tauranga for a weekend. I will never forget my time at Rodney College.”

Katsuki Nada I chose NZ because it is safer than some other countries and the price was right. Also it was right in the middle of my summer holidays so I had time to do the trip. I was worried that I couldn’t communicate because I can’t speak much English and also I wasn’t sure about what I would need to wear for PE. School was nice and friendly and I liked the open discussion in classes. Also, during break times people were having a good time with all age groups or all nationalities. There were a lot of breaks. I took Music, PE, Computing, English, Maths and Photography. Music, PE and Photography were the subjects I chose and they were enjoyable. In the English, Maths and Computing classes everybody was having open discussions and it was a very good atmosphere. From the ﬁrst day everybody was very friendly and kept talking to me and tried to help me understand in so many different ways what I couldn’t understand because sometimes it was too fast. The teachers were nice and asked me if I was enjoying myself every time we met. I had support from the host family, Japanese people at school and everybody. It was good that there were a lot of breaks and I had a chance to talk to lots of friends.”

Application Procedure

Step ONE Student sends a completed and signed Application for Enrolment as an International Student to Rodney College by Email

Step TWO Rodney College 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 Rodney College, the students, the parents complete and sign the Tuition Agreement and return it along with the invoiced fees. The student and parents must keep a copy of the signed Tuition agreement.

Step FOUR Rodney College then sends a Conﬁrmed Offer of Place to the student, which is kept as a receipt.

Step FIVE The student applies for a student Visa and then advises Rodney College of the details of the ﬂight he/she will be on.

Step SIX A member of the International Department of Rodney College will meet the student at the airport and take the student to his/her home stay. The above mentioned forms can be obtained by emailing bronwyn.dempster@rodneycollege.school or they can be accessed on the school website www.rodneycollege.school.nz

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Contact Details

International College Bronwyn Dempster Email bronwyn.dempster@rodneycollege.school.nz Director of International Education Rodney College 287 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 319 Rodney Street Wellsford 0900 New Zealand Phone +64 9 423 6030 Ext 153 Mobile +64 27 290 9408 Fax +64 9 423 7555

Homestay enquiries Maria Northin Email maria.northin@rodneycollege.school.nz Phone +64 9 423 6030 Ext 148 Mobile +64 27 694 4480

Enquiries of a general nature Email principal@rodneycollege.school.nz Phone +64 9 423 6030

Further information For further information about the school please refer to our website: www.rodneycollege.school.nz