Growing powerful thinkers and learners
International Student Prospectus
www.otc.school.nz
Welcome to Ōtūmoetai College
Message from the Principal Kia ora koutou, I want to personally welcome you to Ōtūmoetai College! We are a multi-cultural school that values diversity and embraces students from all over the world. At Ōtūmoetai College you will find our high expectations of achievement and behaviour create a learning environment that will enable you to achieve your personal best in your academic studies, sport, the arts, or cultural pursuits. Our school provides a wide curriculum that includes a full range of subjects at all
levels. We offer a wealth of opportunities for International students to follow their sporting passion, or to try something new. Our arts and culture programmes are also varied, and many International students enjoy being part of our performance groups. We are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment, with everything we do and say being underpinned by and through our school values: Striving for excellence Kimihia tōu ake maunga teitei Working together Whakakotahitanga Respecting one and all Whakakoha tētahi ki tētahi Standing strong Tū pakari i te ao We will strive to provide you with real world experiences as well as new situations which challenge what you think and know, in order to inspire you to want to learn more. Thank you for considering being a part of us! Ma te wa Mr Russell Gordon, Principal
“We are a multicultural school that values diversity and embraces students from all over the world.” — Mr Russell Gordon, Principal
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Learning to live in Tauranga
The District • Tauranga is a small city (population 160,000) located on the sunny, warm Bay of Plenty coastal lowland. • Tauranga is surrounded by the sea, farmland and sheltered by the Kaimai Ranges. • Tauranga is located 2.5 hours’ drive south of Auckland or 30 minutes by air.
Tauranga is acknowledged as the lifestyle capital of Aotearoa New Zealand. A great place for young people to experience personal growth and to study.
• Through the Port of Tauranga is exported kiwifruit, citrus, flowers, timber, beef, and fish to all parts of the world.
Find out more about Tauranga at: www.bestoftauranga.com
• Excellent sporting, recreational and cultural facilities.
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• Tauranga is a popular recreational area for water sports – surfing, water skiing, swimming, windsurfing, and sailing.
The City • Tauranga is a very friendly, beautiful, peaceful, and safe city in which to live.
• Ōtūmoetai College students walk, bike or bus to school.
Belonging and connecting the Ōtūmoetai way • Ōtūmoetai College is committed to supporting you as an International Student, so you can become who you want to be, can achieve what you set out to do and to value your place in the world today. • Ōtūmoetai College is a large co-educational high school (2000 students) with a wide curriculum from which to choose your own career pathway to success. • Ōtūmoetai College has had long and successful relationships with international students. The programme has evolved and developed over the last 20 years, with the philosophy of “mainstreaming second language speakers with support.” • It is important to recognize that each learner has a unique set of family and cultural experiences, knowledge and perspectives that impact on their language acquisition and learning.
Find out more about Ōtūmoetai College at: www.otc.school.nz
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Learning to think and question
Learning by participation in sport
Growing powerful thinkers and learners.
Experience a diverse range of opportunities in a supportive environment.
• Student learning is the paramount focus of all classrooms and associated activities. • Our teachers provide quality teaching and learning programmes which are aligned to the Aotearoa New Zealand curriculum. • The students will develop skills suited to a fastchanging world - to question, to research, to think creatively, to process data and outcomes.
• The College seeks to give students the confidence to become the best they can be. Ōtūmoetai College
• The College provides a wide selection of sporting codes in more than 40 different sports.
• Ōtūmoetai College offers extensive opportunities - providing the optimum environment to explore and develop sporting and life skills
• Sport is well-resourced with a range of firstclass facilities available for use. These include gymnasiums, a mountain bike track, a swimming pool, and tennis courts.
• Ōtūmoetai College encourages students to participate in sporting activities both at the competitive and recreational levels.
• Students learn to empathise and to appreciate the viewpoints of others. • Ōtūmoetai College is proud of its examination results. Striving for excellence is our primary focus through the provision of a range of learning experiences, in a well-resourced and modern educational environment.
• Sport can play a significant part in developing your confidence.
Find out more about New Zealand education at: 1) www.education.govt.nz 2) www.ncea.education.govt.nz
• The College provides an excellent sports programme that is supported by the Sports Foundation, made up of community members and key College staff.
• We encourage our international students to join in, as this supports the development of friendships, responsibility, and a healthy lifestyle. Find out more at: www.sportbop.co.nz
• Every effort is made to provide a quality sporting experience for everyone.
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Learning by creative performance A college with a well-deserved reputation for excellence in its diverse programme of Performing Arts. Creative expression is explored across the curriculum through studies in Visual Arts, Media Arts, Music, Performing Arts and Drama.
Learning by living with an Aotearoa New Zealand family Live with a caring, nurturing homestay family.
• Ōtūmoetai College has excellent facilities for learning arts-based subjects.
• International students enrolled at Ōtūmoetai College can live with a homestay family, a parent, or a designated caregiver.
• Skilled teachers aid students to develop their artistic potential.
• Our homestay families are very carefully chosen and closely monitored by the school.
• Many of our students participate in the creative arts as a co-curricular activity and join various choirs, bands, and the orchestra.
• Most homes are within walking distance of the school.
• The College showcases our cultural talents at various annual productions, events, talent quest, competitions, and student assemblies.
• We have a very experienced and committed international team of people to help our new students to settle into the life of their homestay family. • We provide a 24-hour pastoral care service as is required by the Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.
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Find out more about Code of Practice at: www.minedu.govt.nz/goto/international
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Ōtūmoetai College curriculum
International students’ English programme
This academic structure puts student learning as the primary focus in the classroom. The Learning programme is secured in proven pedagogy and aligned to the Aotearoa New Zealand Curriculum
These special English programmes are designed to support second language learners who need to raise their English level to be able to engage with the learning in our mainstream classes. The philosophy of our special English programme is to mainstream our International Students with English support. Description of the Individual English Programmes 1. INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH FOR CURRICULUM SUPPORT (IECS) COURSE ENTRY:
This is a multi-level class for students from Year 9 – 13 who are using English as a second language.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This whole year course supports students with individual study time and tutored guidance as they develop their language and study
skills or do extra preparation for the NCEA qualification.
ASSESSMENT:
This course has no specified assessment.
2. INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH FOR ORAL COMMUNICATION – IEOC COURSE ENTRY:
This is a multi-level class for students from Year 9 – 13 who are using English as a second language.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This whole year course supports students with a beginner to pre-intermediate level of English to develop the oral language skills they
need to participate in school and everyday life
ASSESSMENT:
This course will be assessed by a selection of Level 1 English Language speaking and listening Standards for NCEA qualifications.
This is in addition to in-class assessments that focus on speaking and listening,
3. INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH FOR LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT – IELD COURSE ENTRY:
This is a multi-level class for students from Year 9 – 13 who are using English as a second language.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This whole year course supports students with a beginner to intermediate level of English to develop the language skills they need to
interact confidently in school and everyday life. The skills focused on are reading, writing and vocabulary.
ASSESSMENT:
This course will be assessed by a selection of Level 1 English Language reading and writing Standards for the NCEA qualification.
This is in addition to in class tests that focus on vocabulary, reading and writing,
4. INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES – IEAP COURSE ENTRY:
This is a multi-level class for students from Year 9 – 13 who are using English as a second language.
COURSE OVERVIEW: This course focuses on reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This learning is supported with access to digital tools such as
Education Perfect and Reading Plus. The aim is to develop confidence to write with increasing fluency and understanding.
ASSESSMENT:
This course will be assessed by a selection of Level 2 English Language reading and writing Standards for the NCEA qualification.
This is in addition to in-class tests that focus on vocabulary, reading and writing.
5. INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH ENGLISH (IEEN) COURSE ENTRY:
This is a multi-level class for senior students from Year 11 – 13 who are using English as a second language at an intermediate plus
level. (IELTS 4-4.5)
COURSE OVERVIEW: Students will focus on gaining NCEA credits for Level 1 English with the aim of meeting the level 1 literacy requirement for the NCEA
qualification Students will continue to expand their use of academic vocabulary and grammar skills.
ASSESSMENT:
This course will be assessed by a selection of Level 2 English Language reading and writing Standards for the NCEA qualification.
This is in addition to in-class tests that focus on vocabulary, reading and writing.
6. INTERNATIONAL ENGLISH FOR TERTIARY ENTRANCE (IETE) COURSE ENTRY:
This is a multi-level class for senior students from Year 12 – 13 who are using English as a second language at an intermediate plus
level. (IELTS 5-5.5)
COURSE OVERVIEW: Students will further develop their ability to read, write, listen, and speak with confidence in English with coherence and cohesion
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across a wide range of texts and topics for academic purposes. They will continue to develop their use of academic vocabulary and
grammar. There will be access to digital devices and digital tools to further improve digital literacy.
ASSESSMENT:
The focus is on gaining NCEA credits at Level 3 English Language (EL) and Level 3 English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Students
who do not have level 1 literacy will be provided the opportunity to meet this NCEA requirement. Achieving 18 credits at this level is
equivalent to UE or University entrance. The course will also offer teaching support towards achieving the IELTS qualification.
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International student stories
Ying Sum Pun Hong Kong What would you say to a student from your country considering coming to Aotearoa New Zealand to study?
Auralie Turbang Belgium
New Zealand and Hong Kong are totally different. Here we don’t go shopping but enjoy nature and the sunshine. You will find out how good it is here and then you won’t want to leave this beautiful country. Also you have to be brave to talk to Kiwis – they are really nice, kind and easy going. My New Zealand homestay family is really nice. My host mother is like my real mother. She takes care of me.
What is the best thing about studying at Ōtūmoetai College? International students are well supported and there are a lot of things organised for us. I really enjoyed the choice of subjects such as Hospitality and Outdoor Education where we did swimming and surfing. Everyone is so helpful.
Mariana Barteliga Brazil
Andrea Belletti Italy
Anneliese Urban Germany
Judith Saethre Norway
Koki Hashine Japan
Beier Lu China
Do you enjoy living with a Aotearoa New Zealand homestay family?
What are your career aspirations?
What do you enjoy most about being in Aotearoa New Zealand and living in Tauranga?
Why did you choose Aotearoa New Zealand to study?
What is the best thing about studying at Ōtūmoetai College?
What is the best thing about studying at Ōtūmoetai College?
The thing I enjoyed most about living in Tauranga was being so close to the sea and being able to enjoy all the water sports. I did the most amazing North and South Island trips so have been able to experience many different parts of New Zealand.
International students are well I had one chance to go anywhere-therefore, I wanted to go as far as I could. I turned the globe around, and there was New Zealand. Looking at the magnificent nature, rare culture and opportunities for extreme sports, I couldn’t be happier.
Outdoor Education! I did many activities that I have never done in Japan. These included kayaking, rock climbing, leadership and mentoring the Year 9 classes in social responsibilities.
Being able to choose the subjects that I enjoy. I was really happy to be able to enter the PIN’d Fashion Show winning 1st place in the “SteamPunk” and 2nd and 3rd place in the Overall Design Award.
I love it! It’s an amazing way of learning about the “New Zealand” way of living. My host family is definitely one of the best things about my exchange, including my German host sister. Together we travelled to Gisborne to visit my Kiwi host sister and her family and on one trip stayed in Hicks Bay which was stunning.
I’m not sure yet. I would like to study Economics and Finance at University. This is because I had the opportunity to find out, here in New Zealand what I like to do by studying Business Management which is not a high school subject in Italy.
I had to write essays which were really hard but I was helped by my teachers and friends. My writing improved which made me enjoy doing them more. I enjoyed studying and making friends.
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Why choose Ōtūmoetai College? Ōtūmoetai College international team The Ōtūmoetai College international team would like to welcome your interest in becoming a student of our highly esteemed school. We have a very experienced team who can assist in adding value to our international students experience.
The Ōtūmoetai College International Team is committed to supporting you as an International Student, so you can become who you want to be, can achieve what you set out to do and to value your place in the world today. You will become part of the Ōtūmoetai College community and develop a strong sense of belonging and connecting. Our international team will provide first class care and assistance to our international students. We offer outstanding pastoral care to support the well being of each student. Staff members are committed to helping each student reach their full potential, through excellence in learning , leadership and service. Through the active encouragement of our international team we expect our international students to experience personal growth and to become more independent. It is an honour and privilege to be entrusted with the care of our international students.
Fantastic location Ōtūmoetai College is in one of the best locations in the world. Tauranga is acknowledged as being the “lifestyle capital “ of Aotearoa New Zealand. The warm sunny climate, white sand beaches, live close to the city, safe and clean. The local community is friendly and welcoming to international students
Academic achievement Ōtūmoetai College consistently achieves above the national averages for ‘like’ schools (Decile 7) in the national certificate - NCEA. This is a world class qualification that enables our students to apply for places at the world’s best universities.
Choice & flexibility Students can choose from a wide range of academic and vocational subjects. Extension classe are available for top students and ESOl classes support students with language development.
Activities & special programmes Students are encouraged to participate in a variety of sports, music and cultural activities in addition to their academic studies. The students are offered the opportunity to go to iconic places and events like Rotorua, Waitomo and a Super Rugby game. Our
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term 4 activities programme caters for short term students. The Sports academies of Rugby and Volleyball are first class as is our Robotics Club.
Support & integration Students receive a high level of support from the experienced international staff, carefully selected homestay families and Aotearoa New Zealand International Student Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students.
Facilities Ōtūmoetai College has been fully modernised and provides purpose-built facilities highly suitable for a 21st Century education. This includes an excellent Library and Information Centre, computer suites and free Wi-Fi. Other facilities available to students in our well resourced school includes a performing arts centre, a swimming pool, tennis courts, two gymnasiums, a weights training room, a climbing wall, two sports fields, a purpose built science block, recording studio, drama rooms, a music block with practice and performance areas, a dance studio and especially well equipped technology rooms. Ōtūmoetai College has made a real commitment to the future of international education in the school by building an administration facility for our international students.
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Ōtūmoetai College
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Aotearoa New Zealand
Whangarei Auckland Tauranga (Ōtūmoetai College)
Hamilton
Kia māramahia te ora e te akoranga
Rotorua New Plymouth Napier
Wellington Nelson
Christchurch
Queenstown Dunedin
For more information contact: 105 Windsor Road, Bellevue, TAURANGA p. 07 576 2316 @OtumoetaiCollege www.otc.school.nz