On Arrival in New Zealand
Meeting the Homestay Family
Orientation Session
South Wellington Intermediate holds an orientation session for new students before they start school. A translator can be arranged if needed, to support students with little or no English.
The orientation session helps students feel confident and prepared. It gives them the chance to:
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- Meet the Principal, Deputy Principal, International Student Coordinator, and their classroom teacher
- Ask questions about anything they are unsure about
- Tour the school and learn where to go on their first day
- Organise stationery and uniform
- Learn what to bring to school each day
- Understand school routines, expectations, and important policies (such as making complaints or expressing concerns)
- Update contact details if needed
- Provide passport and visa copies (if not already completed)
- Sign any required school forms (e.g. photos, trips, internet use)
This session is designed to help students feel comfortable, supported, and ready to begin their learning at SWIS.
The first day of school at South Wellington Intermediate
Students will be met by the International Student Coordinator and taken to their classroom where they will be introduced to their classmates, shown where to hang their bag, and reminded about where the nearest toilets are.
The teacher will ensure that the student has at least one buddy to help them settle in and find their way around the school for at least the first two weeks at school.
The International Student Coordinator will visit new students in their classrooms throughout the first few weeks of school and feedback to parents and/or agent as to how the student is settling in.
The International Student Coordinator will send new student’s families a text and/or email during the first day to let parents know how their child/ren are settling at South Wellington Intermediate.
The Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice 2021
The Tertiary and International Learners Code of Practice 2021 sets out the minimum standards of advice and care expected of New Zealand education providers to ensure the wellbeing of their international students.
Education providers must be approved signatories to the Code to enrol international students.
The Code specifies ten outcomes which signatories must meet, as well as minimum processes required to achieve each outcome.
By focusing on outcomes, the Code sets out what must be achieved rather than prescribing how to achieve it. Signatories are regarded as the trusted experts who have the flexibility to tailor policies and processes to meet the needs of their international learners.
SWIS is an approved signatory to the Code.
