Co-educational Secondary Schools for International Students in New Zealand

Upper Hutt College

Upper Hutt School Upper Hutt college is a state, co-educational secondary school, founded in 1962. It is located 30 minutes by car from Wellington city and has a roll of about 1180 students. International students make up a maximum of 5% of the college's roll. At present, there are students from Switzerland, Brazil, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Kuwait, Korea, Vietnam and China in the school.

Course Details

The college offers programmes for Year 9 - 13 students.

- Students can enter for national examinations or qualifications at Years 11-13.

- Students can also sit TOEFL and IELTS examinations as part of their ESOL programme.

- Upper Hutt College has always has very good results in the national examinations.

- All international students are offered extra ESOL classes to support their other subjects.

Languages Taught
Upper Hutt College currently teaches Maori, Japanese, French, English and Year 13 students are able to take Chinese.

Academic Year
The college operates the normal secondary school year - late January to early December. Students are accepted at any stage during the year, provided there are still places available.

Tuition Fees
Including GST and Ministry of Education levy, the tuition fee is NZ$8700 in 2003 (increasing to $9500.00 in 2004). All students pay for their own stationery, exam entry fees and field trips. They must have insurance, which can be purchased through the school at a cost of $650 per year. Students in Year 9 - 12 wear uniform which costs about $500. New enrolments pay a registration fee of NZ$500.

Facilities and Services
Upper Hutt College is a medium sized, attractive college which offers a large number of opportunities to its students. A wide range of subjects, excellent facilities, highly skilled staff and a positive learning environment all combine to make a college which prides itself on high academic success, close pastoral care and keen participation in a range of sports and cultural activities. All students have open access to the services of the college's Guidance Counsellor, Careers Adviser, Deans and senior staff. Agents or parents are contacted directly if there are any concerns about a student's wellbeing. The school aims to make the students feel as comfortable and secure as they can while they are away from home and offers easy access to fax and email to help them stay in contact with their families.

Students take part in activities such as kayaking, netball, rugby, badminton, basketball, hockey, dragonboating and tennis. They can also join in rock bands, concert bands, debating teams, the school production or the fashion parade.

Upper Hutt offers the best of both worlds - close access to the busy capital city of New Zealand while living and studying in a beautiful area of Wellington which prides itself on its 'clean, green' image, its very safe community and its strong educational focus.

Host tour groups
Upper Hutt College has an annual visit from a high school in Japan. It has also hosted visits from two schools in Thailand for language experiences and regularly hosts sports teams from around the world - most recently from Canada, Australia, the USA and South Africa. The college is always interested in such tours.

Accommodation
Upper Hutt College prides itself on offering high quality, carefully selected homestays which are close to the school. The Homestay Manager looks after the needs of the students in their homes and also meets them on arrival in Wellington. She also helps them with visa applications and travel arrangements. The cost of homestay accommodation is NZ$175 per week in 2003 but will increase to $180 per week in 2004..