International Student Applications

International Student Applications

Southwell School is one of the leading Independent day and boarding primary schools in New Zealand and we welcome International Students at all levels of primary education, both boarders and day students.

Southwell School enrols students from ages 5 to 13 (Year 1 to Year 8) and provides an excellent education in a safe and caring environment.  The School is located in Hamilton city (population of 140,000) and is situated just a little over an hour’s drive from Auckland International Airport.

Southwell School has been hosting International Students, for over 25 years and we have excellent systems in place to ensure the students are well looked and receive a great range of opportunities.  The School has modern facilities and experienced staff. We have specialist teachers who take classes in purpose-built facilities including: Music, Performing Arts, Science, Technology, Sport, Art, Pottery and Chinese. We are also very lucky at Southwell School to have over 12 hectares of beautiful grounds and playing fields for the students to enjoy.

Southwell School follows the New Zealand Government’s National Curriculum for primary schools, but as mentioned above Southwell has the added advantage of having purpose-built facilities and specialist teaching staff to ensure students receive extra value to their educational experience.

It is an advantage for International Students to attend Southwell School before they go on to secondary school. By coming to Southwell they get to experience and adapt to school life and New Zealand culture in a smaller, caring environment and also develop their English language skills. All of this is a great help in preparing students for their secondary education.

Southwell School is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students as required by the New Zealand Government. The Code of Practice ensures a very high standard of care for International Students studying in New Zealand and all schools are monitored by the government to ensure they are complying with the Code.

The Education Review Office (ERO) is a New Zealand Government Department that is responsible for reviewing and publicly reporting on the quality of education and care of all students in all New Zealand Schools. Each school is visited and assessed by a team from the Education Review Office approximately every three years. Here is Southwell School’s most recent report from the Education Review Office.

ESOL - English for Speakers of Others Languages

The subject English as a Second Language (ESOL) is available for those students who need it and each student will receive individual attention for as long as it is required.

Pastoral Care

The Associate Headmaster and International Student Director take a personal interest in each student’s well-being and are available during the school day for students to talk to. All staff members at Southwell are very caring and will happily assist any student at any time.

For further information please contact the International Student Manager:

Becky Russell
becky.russell@southwell.school.nz

For more information take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions.

At Southwell School we believe that International Students receive excellent preparation for their secondary education.

While attending Southwell School International Students develop their English Language skills and adapt to the New Zealand culture in a smaller, caring environment before heading off to a larger secondary school. Students become familiar with a timetabled programme, examinations, homework, and have many opportunities available to them to prepare them for the future.

About Southwell School

  • Students aged 5-13 years
  • New Zealand’s largest private school for primary aged school children
  • Strong focus on Academics, Performing Arts, Technology & Sport
  • Located in Hamilton (NZ”s fourth largest city) which is only a 1 hour 20 minute drive from Auckland International Airport
  • Spacious grounds (12+ hectares) with excellent facilities and sports fields
  • A safe and caring environment

We Offer

  • Excellent preparation prior to secondary education
  • High quality education in a caring and supportive environment
  • Academic excellence
  • Specialist teachers in Science, Technology, Art, Pottery, Physical Education, Christian Education, Music, French, Chinese, Maori & Drama
  • Strong Sports programme
  • Annual Opera production
  • Private instrumental instruction
  • Extra ESOL lesons for students as required
  • Students may enrol from age 5-13 years
  • Small classes – staff/student ratio across school of 1:15

Care and Support for Students

  • Students have support from the Associate Headmaster and International Student Director
  • A registered nurse on site during the school day
  • A full time chef and kitchen staff offering ordered / out lunch each school day

Southwell School is a signatory to the New Zealand Government’s Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. The Code of Practice ensures a high quality of care and protection for all International Students studying in New Zealand. The government monitors all education providers to ensure requirements of the Code are being met.

The International Student Director and Associate Headmaster are responsible for looking after the Pastoral Care of International Students and are  in constant contact with the Teaching Staff to ensure your child is settling in well to his/her new surroundings and is starting to make new friends.

Southwell School is a signatory to the New Zealand Government’s Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students. For full information on the Code of Practice refer to http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/education-code-of-practice/

Students may have a cellphone at school for safety reasons or to make arrangements with their parents.

Cellphones are not to be used in the classroom and are discouraged during school hours including interval and lunchtimes.

On arrival at Southwell international students are placed into a main stream class. We believe this gives them the best opportunity to learn and develop their English language skills.

For some students extra ESOL lessons are recommended by the classroom teacher. Those students have extra ESOL tuition timetabled into their programme each week.

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