International students play an important role in the culture and diversity of our school and help our students deepen their understanding of the world. We are grateful to the students who have stepped up to be ‘buddies’ and have welcomed these students to our kura. 

The buddies play an important role in helping our international students navigate our school and adjust to school life in New Zealand.  I want to give special thanks to all our Waitākere buddies this year who have made our international students feel welcomed and included in our school. 

We need more buddies for 2025 as we have 22 new international students arriving.  If you are in year 10 or 11 and have an interest in other cultures and would like to make global friendships, please let us know if you would like to be a buddy.  You can email us at: [email protected]

Special thanks also go to all the staff who teach and help our international students at Waitākere College.  You make a big impact on these students as they often talk about the teachers they had during their time in New Zealand.  The consistent feedback I get from our international students is how approachable and friendly all the staff at Waitākere College are (both teaching and non-teaching).  

Our successful international programme would not be possible without the amazing homestay families that care for and support our students. Homestay is a ‘home away from home’ for our students.  A warm, caring and supportive home environment makes all the difference and helps our students do well in school. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our homestay families who have hosted students for us this year. Your continued support and care is greatly appreciated.  

This year we had an End of Year programme for a couple of our Senior students who were not sitting the NCEA exams.  The End of Year programme included ESOL lessons, career goal setting, community service at a recycling plant and visiting various locations around Auckland. The students enjoyed the variety and got to visit places they hadn’t been to before.

We also warmly welcome Tomoko Dinnis to the International Department.  We are very fortunate to have Tomoko join us as the International Student Administrator Assistant and we hope you enjoy working here. 

As 2024 comes to an end we say farewell to some of our international students who have graduated from Waitākere College.  We also say farewell to some of our students who are returning back home to continue with their studies.  We wish you all the best for the future and we hope you remember your time at Waitākere College fondly. 

To the students who are returning next year, have a great Summer break and we look forward to seeing you refreshed and ready for another successful 2025 school year.

- Mrs Arifah Wright
International Director