pakuranga.school.nz/international
PAKURANGA COLLEGE
kia ora from Auckland, New Zealand
APPLYING TO STUDY INTERNATIONALLY IS A TIME OF GREAT EXCITEMENT. EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE NEW FRIENDS YOU’LL MAKE, THE DIFFERENT CULTURES YOU’LL DISCOVER, AND THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE NEW THINGS.
It can also be a time of nervousness. Being away from home, in a new environment can be a challenge. That is why Pakuranga College has a dedicated International Department, with staff committed to making the process of studying in New Zealand easier at every point – from visa application through to settling into your new homestay family and classes.
Pakuranga College is a top co-educational high school with over 2,000 students. We have a long tradition of commitment to excellence and nurturing students who are well-prepared for university study.
Coming to study in New Zealand is about more than just your time at school. It’s about experiencing our local attractions and there are plenty in East Auckland to keep you entertained, from mountain biking in our parks to swimming at our beautiful beaches. Our welcoming homestay families are always keen to show their host students Auckland’s highlights.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Pakuranga College family and to Auckland.
The Pakuranga College International Department
THERE ARE TWO PIECES OF ADVICE I WOULD SHARE WITH FUTURE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS. THE FIRST IS, DON’T BE SHY ABOUT YOUR ENGLISH! NOBODY WILL LAUGH AT YOU, EVERYONE IS VERY NICE AND WILL HELP YOU TO FIND THE WORD YOU NEED, ESPECIALLY TEACHERS. THE MORE YOU SPEAK, THE MORE PRACTISE YOU GET – MY ENGLISH HAS IMPROVED A LOT SINCE I’VE BEEN IN NEW ZEALAND.
THE SECOND IS TO JOIN LOTS OF CLUBS. THERE ARE SO MANY YOU CAN JOIN AND THEY MAKE THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE SO MUCH MORE FUN, PLUS YOU’LL MEET LOTS OF NEW FRIENDS. I’VE BEEN AT PAKURANGA COLLEGE FOR FIVE YEARS AND EVEN THOUGH THAT’S A LONG TIME, IT’S GONE SO FAST THANKS TO ALL THE GROUPS I’VE JOINED AND FRIENDS I’VE MADE.
SABRINA, CHINA
welcominghomestays
OUR NEW ZEALAND HOMESTAY FAMILIES ARE WAITING TO WELCOME YOU TO AUCKLAND! WE CAREFULLY MATCH INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WITH HOMESTAY ACCOMMODATION AND FAMILIES TO ENSURE A GOOD FIT THAT WILL MAKE YOUR TIME IN NEW ZEALAND EVEN MORE ENJOYABLE.
All our homestay families live in the local area, making the journey to school quick and convenient. You will have your own bedroom, allowing you privacy and a quiet environment to study; plus fibre internet makes keeping in contact with home easy.
Our dedicated Homestay Co-ordinators are on-call 24/7 to answer any questions you or your family may have before and during your stay. They will also report regularly to parents about how students are settling in.
HOMESTAY FAST FACTS
HOMESTAYS
• Close to the college
• Your own bedroom guaranteed
• Fast fibre internet
• Homestay Co-ordinators on-call 24/7 to answer your questions
• Homestay families and international students are carefully matched
LOCAL AREA
• Nature on your doorstep - stunning parks and beaches
• Excellent shopping, dining, and entertainment options
• Only 30 minutes from downtown Auckland
MY HOMESTAY FAMILY HAS BEEN SO WELCOMING, I’VE ABSOLUTELY FELT AT HOME AND I KNOW I’LL STAY IN TOUCH WHEN I RETURN TO FRANCE. THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY TIME HERE WAS GOING TO A BLUES GAME AT EDEN PARK WITH MY HOST FAMILY, AFTER THEY DISCOVERED THAT MY FAMILY BACK HOME IS RUGBY-MAD. I’VE ALSO HAD LOTS OF FUN SUPPORTING THE PAKURANGA COLLEGE RUGBY TEAMS EVERY WEEKEND.
I’VE REALLY ENJOYED MY TIME HERE – I’VE MET SOME GREAT PEOPLE, MADE WONDERFUL MEMORIES, AND MY ENGLISH HAS IMPROVED A LOT.
GABRIELLE, FRANCE
I HAD AN AMAZING TIME HERE IN NEW ZEALAND, THANKS TO MY NEW FRIENDS AND MY HOMESTAY FAMILY. MY HOST PARENTS HAVE BEEN VERY KIND AND RELAXED, THEY HAVE SUPPORTED ME THROUGHOUT MY EXPERIENCE. WE STARTED COMMUNICATING EVEN BEFORE MY ARRIVAL AND SINCE THE FIRST HOUR HERE THEY HAVE HELPED ME AND CARED ABOUT ME.
THEY HAVE INTRODUCED ME TO DIFFERENT TRADITIONS AND COOKED ME DELICIOUS MEALS. THE BEST DISH IS MY HOST MUM’S SUNDAY ROAST DINNER AND ONE DAY EVERY WEEK I COOK THEM ITALIAN DISHES. EGLE, ITALY
at Pakuranga College life
CURRICULUM
The school curriculum is core to student life at Pakuranga College. International students are integrated into regular classes with local students and can choose from over 40 subject options in Year 12 and 13, including our ever-popular Outdoor Education course.
ESOL support is provided where needed and we have Chinese interpreters available.
Our Year 12 and 13 courses give students the opportunity to gain New Zealand’s NCEA qualification at Levels 2 and 3, providing a pathway to tertiary study. NCEA is an internationally recognised qualification accepted by universities worldwide.
Year 11 students study a curriculum tailored to provide a strong foundation for the rigours of NCEA in Year 12. All subjects at this level offer NCEA-style evaluations, to ensure students are ready for external assessments in Year 12.
The success of our international students is very important to us. In 2023, 92% of international students who sat NCEA Levels 2 and 3 gained their qualification. 100% of students who sat University Entrance obtained it. Our International and Careers Departments work closely with students to ensure they are enrolled in appropriate courses, taking the correct number of credits, and are on track to achieve.
STUDENT SUPPORT
We appreciate that starting at a new school, particularly in a different country with a foreign language, is a real challenge. That’s why we take every opportunity to support our international students throughout their time with us.
Students will be allocated to one of six Wha-nau (Houses) when they arrive, which acts as a family at the college. International students can take any concerns to their
Wha-nau Group Teacher, whom they see four times a week, or to their Wha-nau Leader. The International Department works closely with teaching and pastoral care staff to ensure students are well-supported.
CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
In addition to superb teaching and excellent pastoral care, we pride ourselves on the wide range of co-curricular opportunities available to students. We have over 100 co-curricular groups and activities that students can take part in.
Students might like to dive into one of our 20+ sports codes including basketball, football, rugby, hockey, and swimming.
For students interested in The Arts, we have Dance, Drama, and Music experiences available, plus interest-based Visual Arts groups, such as pottery. Our hip hop dance group is always extremely popular with both beginner and experienced dancers.
Students can also join one of our many cultural groups, including Ma-ori and Pasifika. Te Tai o Pakuranga, the school Kapa Haka group, immerses members in Ma-ori culture and many of our international students enjoy this taste of New Zealand.
THE BEST CLASS I’VE TAKEN AT PAKURANGA COLLEGE IS OUTDOOR EDUCATION. I’VE DONE SO MANY NEW THINGS – ROCK CLIMBING, CAMPING, EVEN SCUBA DIVING! IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SIT TOO LONG IN A CLASSROOM, TAKE THIS CLASS! WE SPEND TIME AWAY FROM SCHOOL LEARNING IN THE ACTUAL OUTDOORS, WHICH IS BEAUTIFUL IN NEW ZEALAND. IT’S VERY DIFFERENT FROM P.E. AT HOME, WHICH IS IN A GYM MOSTLY –I ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND IT. THEO, GERMANY
OUR FACILITIES
Our large eight-hectare campus offers amazing facilities that support student learning and co-curricular participation, including:
• Brand new IT suites fitted with high-spec computers
• State-of-the-art IT network with high-speed fibre
• Media editing suite
• Fully equipped Science classrooms
• Technology building equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, industrial standard kitchens, robotics labs, and engineering workshops
• Arts centre with photography facilities
• Music suite with practice rooms
• Dance and Drama studios
• State-of-the-art library
• Extensive sports facilities, including:
- A heated swimming pool
- Rugby and football fields
- Indoor basketball, volleyball and badminton courts
- Tennis courts
- A flood-lit hockey turf
- A cricket pitch and nets
- Weights room
STUDY IS MORE RELAXED IN NEW ZEALAND THAN IN CHINA. IT FREES MY TIME UP, SO I CAN PARTICIPATE IN LOTS OF EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES LIKE SPORT AND MUSIC. MY CLASSES ALSO GO ON LOTS OF TRIPS AND WE DO ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM, WHICH SUPPORT WHAT WE’RE STUDYING.
KATHERINE, CHINA
amazing Auckland
THERE IS PLENTY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS TO BE EXCITED ABOUT WHEN STUDYING IN AUCKLAND. IN 2023, AUCKLAND WAS NAMED THE 10TH BEST CITY IN THE WORLD TO LIVE BY THE GLOBAL LIVEABILITY INDEX, AND NEW ZEALAND WAS RANKED THE 4TH SAFEST COUNTRY IN THE GLOBAL PEACE INDEX. WE LOVE IT HERE AND WE KNOW YOU WILL TOO!
Pakuranga is a safe, quiet, and attractive suburb with highquality housing in East Auckland. It is close to beautiful beaches, large parks, and excellent shopping malls – and just 30 minutes by car or ferry from downtown Auckland with its excellent dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
Pakuranga College itself enjoys spacious grounds and a lush green environment. Adjacent to the school is Lloyd Elsmore Park, which is home to many facilities for sports such as hockey, rugby, netball, cricket, and athletics.
WHAT TO DO IN AUCKLAND
Auckland is an amazing city, located between two beautiful harbours. While you’re here take some time to explore, we recommend trying the activities below:
HEAD TO THE BEACH
East Auckland has beautiful calm beaches that are very safe to swim in. Popular Eastern Beach is close to the college, with beautiful views of the Waitemata Harbour.
TAKE THE FERRY
The Half Moon Bay Marina is very close to Pakuranga College. Check out the boats and see why Auckland is called the City of Sails or take a ferry trip. Ferries to downtown Auckland and the stunning Waiheke Island both depart from the marina.
HIKE A HILL
Auckland has 53 extinct volcanoes to explore. Climb to the top of Maungawhau/Mt Eden for an excellent view of the city, or walk up Ohuiarangi/Pigeon Mountain beside the college for a bird’s eye view of the local area. See if you can spot your homestay house!
THINGS TO SEE IN NEW ZEALAND
International students can explore more of New Zealand with their parents, homestay family, or as part of an organised tour. Many of our students enjoy trips to other parts of the country during the school holidays. Popular destinations include:
COROMANDEL
A popular holiday playground for Aucklanders, the Coromandel is a short distance from the city. Fish the Thames coast, soak in the thermal waters at Hot Water Beach, kayak at Cathedral Cove and take a stroll in native bush.
ROTORUA
New Zealand’s geothermal and adventure tourism centre, Rotorua is a must. Experience Ma-ori culture, zoom down the Luge, go Zorbing, mountain bike, walk in the canopy of Whakarewarewa Forest, relax in a geothermal pool, and see our volcanic springs and geysers.
SOUTH ISLAND
The South Island is full of stunning scenery. Get an adrenaline rush in Queenstown, the home of the bungy jump. If you need more of a thrill, take a jet boat ride at 85km per hour on the Shotover River, get wet white-water rafting, or take to the clouds for some skydiving.
I VISITED MANY BEAUTIFUL PLACES DURING MY TIME IN NEW ZEALAND. WITH FRIENDS, I CAUGHT THE FERRY TO WAIHEKE ISLAND IN AUCKLAND, WHICH WAS A GREAT DAY. MY HOMESTAY FAMILY TOOK ME ON A TRIP TO TAUPOAND ROTORUA IN THE NORTH ISLAND. IT WAS AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE; MY FAVOURITE WAS RACING DOWN THE LUGE IN ROTORUA – THAT WAS SUPER FUN!
KAZUKI, JAPAN
MY HIGHLIGHT, HAS BEEN VISITING THE SOUTH ISLAND. I WENT ON A 10-DAY TRIP, BOOKED BY THE COLLEGE STAFF. THERE WERE LOTS OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ON THE TOUR BUS AND I MADE SO MANY NEW FRIENDS THIS WAY. QUEENSTOWN WAS THE HIGHLIGHT, ESPECIALLY GOING JETBOATING ON THE SHOTOVER RIVER – THAT WAS THRILLING! MY PARENTS ARE COMING TO NEW ZEALAND AT THE END OF MY STAY, AND I CAN’T WAIT TO SHOW THEM SOME OF THE THINGS I’VE DONE AND EXPLORE A BIT MORE OF NEW ZEALAND. THEO, GERMANY
