Secondary School
Awatapu College
Region
Manawatu-Whanganui
Summary
Awatapu College is in Palmerston North, the lower North Island. Palmerston North is known as the Knowledge City'. The opportunities to experience Kiwi' life and speak English are greater in Palmerston North as it does not have a large concentration of any one nationality. A modern high school for 13-19 year old students, Awatapu College has well-planned buildings and specialised facilities. Intensive English classes and extensive academic support across the school are provided to all international students so every learning need is met. Awatapu College provides a wide selection of subjects, from Calculus to Fashion Design, ensuring all international students achieve their personal best. Awatapu College has firm boundaries with a supportive and nurturing pastoral care system.
Location
Awatapu College is located in Palmerston North which is in the lower North Island – it is a 90 minute drive south to the capital city, Wellington. Palmerston North has a population of about 85,000 and it is known as the ‘Knowledge City’ and also ‘Student City’ because it is a university town with a strong focus on academia, research, innovation and technology. Therefore, it has a fairly young population with open minds and strong family values. Palmerston North has easy access to the mountains, lakes, rivers, beaches, parks, cycle ways and walkways. The beach is only a 20 minute drive from Palmerston North.
Facilities
Founded in 1976, Awatapu College has well-planned buildings and specialised facilities especially in the Technology, Drama and Visual Arts areas. The equipment and machinery in the Technology and Visual Arts Suites are outstanding and very modern.
International Students at Awatapu College live with a homestay family approved by the school, or with their parent/s or designated caregiver. Homestay families are carefully selected, having been assessed (including police vetting) as suitable caregivers. Students will have individual bedrooms with study facilities.They may not live in a flatting situation.
We have a pastoral team responsible for homestay family selection, student placement with suitable families, ongoing support, monitoring, and administrative duties. The team will liaise with your homestay family on your behalf making sure students are as comfortable as possible
Curriculum and subject highlights
There is a wide range of subjects offered - in Mathematics (Calculus & Statistics), the Social Sciences (History, Geography & Business Studies) and Sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology).The school also offers subjects such as Drama, Photography, Graphic Design, Art Design, Fashion Design, Painting, Wood Technology, Media Studies and Classical Studies.
Students are allowed to choose 6 of their favourite subjects in Years 11, 12 and 13. The international students are well supported in all subjects across the school.
More about Awatapu College
Extra-curricular activities
A wide range of sporting, outdoors and cultural extra-curricular activities are offered at Awatapu College. On the sports field we have a very enthusiastic Sports Department and we do our best to get our students matched with their interests. Every sport that a student is interested in is offered either at school or in the wider community so we will ensure you get to participate in the sports you are passionate about. We also offer a wide range of outdoor education opportunities though the various departments at the school – for example, Exploring the Manawatu River, Mt Bruce Wildlife, the Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre where a wide range of outdoor activities are pursued, the Tongariro Crossing (a hike), a snow camp where there’s skiing and snowboarding.
Palmerston North is active in the Arts, Culture and Music scene with many talented artists, musicians, singers and actors in the classical, contemporary, jazz and pop. There are several concerts, musical shows, cultural performances and drama productions held in our city throughout the year and we do our best to ensure our international students get to attend these events.
There are two festivals celebrated in the school which coincide with the city-wide celebrations - the Festival of Cultures in March and the Arts Festival in June. In addtiton to the above, regular school concerts and performances, swimming sports, athletics and cross-country events are held. Students may join the annual ski trip or the camps and outdoor education activities offered to all students. All international students are encouraged to participate in some way.
Accommodation
International Students at Awatapu College live with a homestay family approved by the school, or with their parent/s or designated caregiver. Homestay families are carefully selected, having been assessed (including police vetting) as suitable caregivers. Students will have individual bedrooms with study facilities.They may not live in a flatting situation.
We have a pastoral team responsible for homestay family selection, student placement with suitable families, ongoing support, monitoring, and administrative duties. The team will liaise with your homestay family on your behalf making sure students are as comfortable as possible.
International Student Support
The International Students Department delivers excellent support services through its warm and welcoming environment, its carefully selected homestay families that are located close to the school and its regular communication with parents, agents and support people. The dedicated and caring staff of the International Department cause the students to feel well supported. Awatapu College is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of international Students. In the past eight years, the International Department has been recognised four times for their high quality academic support and outstanding pastoral care extended to their international students.
Gallery
Contact details
Phone number
+64 6 356 4817Disclaimer