What you should know

We are pleased that you are thinking about studying in New Zealand and wish you luck with your application.

Before your application is processed, ask someone to help you to understand the information in this booklet. It should help you to decide if the New Zealand education system is suitable for you and your chosen career path.

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR ENROLMENT?

International Students enrolling at Edgewater College must :
  1. Have an English speaking parental representative who has been designated by, and to act on behalf of the student's parents in New Zealand. This parental representative must be easily accessible at anytime to help the student or school should the need arise. It is expected that this person will meet or be in contact with the Director of International Students at least once a term.
  2. Have suitable supervised accommodation guaranteed for the entire school year enrolled.
  3. Have parents, parental representative or caregiver sign the School Rules and Parent's contracts.
  4. Prove that they have adequate medical and personal loss insurance throughout their stay in New Zealand.
  5. Inform Edgewater College of any sickness, behavioural, disability or special education needs before enrolment.
  6. Have a basic knowledge of the English Language (ie numeracy and letter recognition skills).
  7. Include the latest past school reports and examination results. Edgewater College may also request a comprehensive reference from a past school Principal or Head Teacher with each application.
  8. Have their parent's consent to study at Edgewater College.
  9. Meet the conditions of New Zealand Immigration Service student visa/permits requirements.
  10. Accept the direction of the professional staff of Edgewater College in subject and level placement.
Can I drive / own a car in New Zealand?

Edgewater College strongly advises International Students not to own or drive a car while at secondary school in New Zealand. New Zealand Government statistics show that up to 90% of young drivers are involved in road accidents in the first year of driving a motor vehicle.

What are the conditions of study at Edgewater College?
  1. You must attend at least 85% of the course enrolled in. You must attend all lessons and be on time. You must be ready to apply yourself fully to all schoolwork.
  2. If you have been guaranteed accommodation by Edgewater College you must stay in an approved homestay under the college's homestay programme for the length of your visa/permit. International students studying at Edgewater College are not permitted to be in a flatting situation, regardless of their age. They must have adult supervision at all times, guaranteed for the entire school year enrolled.
  3. If you return to your home country during the set school holidays, you may not take extra time away from school unless authorised by the school principal. (The 85% attendance rule applies here also.)
  4. Your student visa/permit will be issued for Edgewater College. You may not transfer to another school until that visa/permit expires or it has been reissued to another school.
  5. The adult designated as your parent's representative in New Zealand must keep that role until the expiry date of your visa/permit.
  6. Your parents must sign the parent contract which proves that they understand and accept the conditions of enrolment at Edgewater College.
  7. Edgewater College must be informed immediately of all changes of details ie. student's or parent's change of address, telephone numbers etc.
What happens when I arrive at Auckland Airport?

Edgewater College will arrange for someone to meet you at the airport. It could be your homestay family, your agent, a family friend or an Edgewater College staff member. They will be waiting for you in the public arrival lounge. The person/s meeting you will be holding a card with your name printed on it in English.

You will be taken to your host family's house, where you will be welcomed as one of the family. They will help you to learn about New Zealand and show you around their neighbourhood.

What will happen when I start school?

On arrival at Edgewater College you will undergo an orientation programme. This programme has been designed to assist you to integrate successfully into the New Zealand High School system. It will include:

  • Understanding how to fit into and benefit from the New Zealand secondary school system and living conditions.
  • Understanding the New Zealand cultural and expectations.
  • Familiarity of the college's facilities, courses available, culture and environment.
  • Familiarity of the community around us.
  • Study skills.
  • Planning an academic programme appropriate for your chosen career path.
  • English language skills in writing, reading, listening and speaking.
  • English language assessments
  • Subject and level assessments
Depending on the results of your language and subject assessments and the timing of your arrival at Edgewater College, you will be placed into:

  • A partial timetable of subject choices and Senior/Junior Language School classes.
  • A full subject timetable, which will include at least one ESOL class per day.
Junior and Senior subject options are available on the Course Available page.

Do I have to wear school uniform?

School uniform is required for all students from year 9 to year 12. Students who have had five years secondary school education and who are eighteen years of age do not have to wear school uniform. However, they must meet with the required standards of the dress code for year 13 students.

What do I do if things go wrong?

Edgewater College will give you special help and support while you are studying there. They will make sure you are treated fairly and that you get the support you need to study properly.

You will be given the telephone number of Edgewater College's 24-hour help-line should you have any problems after school hours.

HOMESTAY CONCERNS

If you are have a homestay problem, you should contact the Homestay Co-ordinator or the Director of International Students as quickly as possible. They will discuss the issue with you and if not resolved immediately, will arrange a meeting with your homestay family and yourself. If you are still not happy, it may be necessary for the school to change your homestay family.

If you are not satisfied with the decisions made by Edgewater College, you may write to the International Appeal Authority [IEAA] to have your case considered by them. Edgewater College will communicate with your parents at all times and will help you to access the IEAA. An advocate who can speak your language will be made available to support you.



ACADEMIC AND SCHOOL CONCERNS

If you have a problem at school, you should first contact your teacher or the Director of International Students. If they cannot resolve the concern, meetings will be made with your-self and the Deputy Principal, Course Supervisor and/or Director of Curriculum.

If you are not happy with the decision made by them in consultation with you and your parents, you have the right to take your concerns to the IEAA. Edgewater College will help you with this process.

Edgewater College has signed the Ministry of Education's Code of Practice agreement. This guarantees you a fair and just internal grievance process. If the college is unable to resolve any problem, you will be directed to the IEAA [mentioned above]. This is an independent government funded advocacy agency. They will help to resolve any issues on your behalf.

For further information: www.minedu.govt.nz/internationalstudents

FEES REFUND CONDITIONS for INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

School Fees
  1. If you withdraw from your course of study before the course completion date, you may be eligible for a refund of school fees.
  2. An application for refund of fees must be made in writing. You must write to the Board of Trustees explaining why you have withdrawn from the course and your reasons for seeking a refund.
  3. The guidelines of what refund you can expect are laid out below.
    1. Student enrols but does not attend at the start of the school year.
      Fees will be refunded less an administration charge of $350.
    2. Student attends school and withdraws before the end of 1st term.
      Fees will be refunded as below:
      Annual Fee $10600
      less Administration fee
      		-$350
       Annual resource fee-$1000
        Term charge-$2850
        Government levy -$450
      Refund   $5950
    3. Student attends and withdraws before the end of Term II.
      Fees will be refunded as below:
      Annual Fee $10600
      less Administration fee
      		-$350
       Annual resource fee-$1000
        Term charge-$5700
        Government levy -$900
      Refund   $2650
      Student attends and withdraws before the end of Term II.
    4. Student withdraws after the start of term III.
      Except in exceptional circumstances, there is no refund.
    5. When agent fees have been paid by the school to an agent, that payment will be deducted from the refund.
Homestay Fees (Based on all homestay fees paid)
  1. If you move out of your homestay before the end of your contract, the portion of your homestay fees not already used will be returned to you unless the college has guaranteed your accommodation.
  2. To have your homestay fees returned, you must write to the Board of Trustees giving two weeks notice, or pay two weeks fees in lieu of notice.
  3. If the college has guaranteed your accommodation, payments to your new homestay family or designated caregiver will be paid through the college's homestay programme. The Homestay Placement fee of $250 cannot be refunded.
  4. Approved refunds will also have any money owing to the homestay family deducted, ie. telephone accounts etc.
Are the fees I pay protected?

In the unlikely event that Edgewater College was unable to continue to deliver the education that they contracted to provide, the Board of Trustees have set up a BNZ Bank Bonds system to protect any school fees paid.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION'S CODE OF PRACTICE AGREEMENT

Edgewater College has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from Edgewater College or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website at http://www.minedu.govt.nz.

HEALTH AND TRAVEL INSURANCE

Most students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand unless they are:
  • A resident or citizen of New Zealand or Australia; or
  • A national of the United Kingdom in New Zealand; or
  • The holder of a temporary permit that is valid for two years or more.
If you do not belong to one of these special categories and you receive medical treatment during your visit, you will be liable for the full costs of that treatment.

The Ministry of Education have made it compulsory for all International Students in New Zealand to have an A or above rating medical and personal loss insurance for their entire length of study. Edgewater College can help to arrange for insurance, if required. Proof of insurance cover must be received before the enrolment can be finalised.

Immigration

Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at http://www.immigration.govt.nz



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