INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT

     Upper Hutt College: surrounded by nature on the edge of the capital.

Upper Hutt College is a co-educational New Zealand high school, founded in 1962.  It is located 20 minutes by car from the centre of Wellington city and has a roll of about 1250 students.  The college 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 levels of academic success, close pastoral care and active participation in a range of sporting and cultural activities.

LOCATION
Upper Hutt is surrounded by nature on the edge of the capital city.  It has a beautiful valley setting, nestled between a river and tree covered hills, with many parks, including the wonderful Kaitoke Regional Forest Park.  This creates many opportunities for recreational, sporting and cultural activities.  There is easy access to the Wellington city centre, the harbour and many beaches in the Wellington area.  Wellington is a prosperous, cosmopolitan city with a safe environment for visitors.  It is the geographical, political, cultural and artistic centre of New Zealand. 

ACADEMIC PROGRAMME
The college expects all students to achieve at the highest level possible and offers international students programmes from Years 9-13.  All international students who need extra help with their English may attend up to three ESOL classes in order to support their other subjects.  Students can enter for national examinations or qualifications from Years 11 to 13 and can also prepare for IELTS and TOEFL examinations as part of their ESOL programme. 

SPORTS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
All international students are expected to participate in at least one sporting or cultural activity. We have very strong fencing and dragon boating teams.  You can play golf at a club near the school, join a hockey team or go swimming and fishing in the river.  The college offers many more sports, including rugby, soccer, netball, basketball, canoe polo, athletics, volleyball and tennis.  Many students enjoy success at regional and national levels in their chosen sports.  Upper Hutt College also enjoys a tradition of success in cultural activities such as drama, the 48 hour film festival, dance, debating, school productions, bands and choir.

STUDENT WELFARE
International students are cared for by a network of staff, including all members of the International Department.  In addition to this, international students have open access to the services of the college's Guidance Counsellor, Careers Advisor, Deans and senior staff.  Agents or parents are contacted 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.

ACCOMMODATION
Upper Hutt College offers high quality, carefully selected homestays which are as close to school as possible.  The Homestay Manager looks after the needs of the students in their homes and also meets them on arrival in Wellington and helps them with the renewal of visas and travel arrangements.