N E W S L E T T E R August 2017
Introductions of new members of SCNZ Wellington San Francisco Society For several years now, Wellington City has been talking about building a closer relationship with San Francisco — a city with which we have so much in common. The Wellington San Francisco Society was established as an independent incorporated society in June 2016 to help make this dream a reality by identifying activities and projects that will promote a rich, interesting and mutually beneficial flow of people, information, finance, goods and services between our two cities. We currently have twelve committee members based in Wellington, and approximately 60 members across Wellington and the San Francisco-Bay area. If you think that strengthening communications, commerce and cultural exchanges between our two great cities is a good idea and you'd like to become a member or supporter, sign up on our Facebook page or visit our website at wellingtonsanfrancisco.org.
Wainuiomata High School Wainuiomata High School is a State Coeducational High School situated in Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt, Wellington. Currently there are 680 students at the High School and 22 International Students from Japan, Germany, Thailand, Finland, France Iceland and Chile. We are fortunate to have Mr Kataoka teaching at Wainuiomata High School. He teaches the Japanese Language classes at the High School and takes our Japanese International Students into the Japanese Embassy to assist with teaching Japanese. Wainuiomata High School is wanting to establish Sister School relationships with schools in Japan, Thailand, Korea and China in the next year. We are wanting to have as many of our students and Teachers travel to International Schools and for Wainuiomata High School to host International Students in our High School. This brings the world to our students. Wainuiomata High School is part of WIN (Wainuiomata International Network). WIN is made up of Wainuiomata Primary School, Wainuiomata Intermediate School, and Wainuiomata High School. All three schools are Signatories to the Code of Practice and able to host International Students. This is a unique arrangement within the Wellington region and one that we are all very proud to be part of. Wainuiomata High School receives strong support from Hutt City Council with regards to International Students and meet with them every month to discuss International Student matters. We are fortunate that HCC have existing strong Sister City relationships. This is extremely beneficial to Wainuiomata High School.
We are excited with our Sister School relationship building and look forward to many wonderful experiences for our students and hosting. Virginia Wilson International Dean, Wainuiomata High School
AFS NZ AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world. Whether you are in high school, at a university or a teacher, AFS has the right program for you! Go to school, learn another language, cultural internships and for teachers we have immersion programmes for language teachers to head overseas and teachers coming to New Zealand on Educational Advantage (from China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and more) to engage student learning and share with welcoming host families, we are looking for host families and welcoming schools all year round. contact prue.elwood@afs.org for more or visit www.afs. org.nz
NZCFS Wellington The New Zealand China Friendship Society Wellington branch was founded in 1956. Activities include monthly meetings featuring talks and activities about aspects of Chinese culture, current affairs and trade; and a major banquet each year at Chinese New Year. Monthly meetings are held at Connolly Hall, Guildford Tce (off Hill Street) March to November on the third Wednesday at 5.45 pm followed by an optional buffet Chinese meal at the hall. Supports a Youth Group (www.nzcfsyouth.org) which organises activities to promote integration of Chinese and New Zealand culture. The Branch also sponsors a weekly Mandarin Corner where those wishing to improve or retain their Chinese language skills mix with native speakers. From August 2013, Mandarin Corner was re-launched according to an agreement with the VUW Confucius Institute. The weekly social gathering for conversational Chinese practice is now managed by a core team of Mandarin Language Assistants at the VUW CI. These are held every Saturday afternoon from 3.15-5 pm during school term in Seminar Room 103, 24 Kelburn Parade, Victoria University of Wellington. The NZCFS Wellington Branch supports Wellington's the Sister Cities link with Xiamen and Beijing, and keeps close contact with the other local Chinese associations.