IONA COLLEGE

IONA
COLLEGE
GENERAL INFORMATION
FOR
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Welcome to Iona College
Thank you for considering Iona as the school of choice for your daughter’s
overseas education.
As a leading girls’ school in New Zealand, we provide quality facilities and
learning programmes in a caring environment. Iona College is also a signatory
to the Ministry of Education’s Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of
International Students.
By pursuing her personal best at Iona, your daughter is assured a rich and
rewarding educational experience.
Kind regards
Mrs Pauline Duthie
Principal
Page 1
SCHOOL INFORMATION
Type:
State Integrated
Places for:
International boarders from Year 9 onwards
Religion:
Inter-denominational with a Presbyterian tradition
Roll Size:
260 students and up to 10 international students
Physical Address:
42 Lucknow Road
Havelock North 4130
Hawke’s Bay
NEW ZEALAND
Postal Address:
Private Bag 1000
Havelock North 4157
Hawke’s Bay
NEW ZEALAND
Telephone:
64 6 877 8149
Fax:
64 6 877 7933
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.iona.school.nz
Location:
Iona College is situated in Havelock North - a
beautiful rural town in Hawke’s Bay which is located
6kms from Hastings City on the East Coast of the
North Island. The climate is very temperate and the
area is largely given over to farming and horticulture.
Hawke’s Bay is the ‘Fruit Bowl of New Zealand’.
History
Iona College was founded in 1914. Until 1988 it was exclusively boarding.
Today boarders comprise 60% of the school roll and daygirls 40%.
Philosophy
Iona believes in a sound and liberal education for young women. As a school,
our vision is to pursue personal best in all aspects of education - academic,
sporting, cultural, pastoral and spiritual. By following this vision, we provide a
caring environment in which to live, learn and achieve. We believe our students
are resilient, confident, connected life-long learners.
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Campus/Location and Facilities
The School is situated in 27 acres of park
like grounds. There are extensive playing
fields, netball and tennis courts as well as a
Sports Centre and swimming pool.
Staff
Iona employs a highly qualified and dedicated team of academic and boarding
staff. An International Student Director is responsible for our overseas students
and ESOL is delivered by a trained ESOL teacher. A strong, supportive
boarding house staff caters for students additional pastoral and out of school
needs. As a small Christian school, each person is cared for and valued as an
individual. The School Chaplain is also available to provide pastoral care.
Academic Programme
The College offers a complete education with
opportunity for academic, cultural, sporting, personal
growth and achievement.
The School prepares students to attend universities,
polytechnics and other tertiary training institutions. We
follow the national curriculum in all external
qualifications and also offer IELTS or other
international qualifications if requested.
The following Year 13 subjects are currently offered:
English
Accounting
Art History
French
Economics
Art Painting
Japanese
Geography
Art Design
Statistics
History
Physical Education
Classical Studies
Information Technology
Calculus
Technology
Essential Skills
Biology
Food and Nutrition
Chemistry
Music
Physics
Religious Education is compulsory and Christian values are integral to the
education provided.
The school also provides the opportunity for private tuition in speech and oral
communication where students can gain qualifications such as OCESOL at five
levels - foundation through to advanced.
Page 3
Co-Curricular Programme
Iona provides considerable co-curricular activities. A very active school on the
sports field, Iona participates fully in many sports. Our sporting interests
extend into athletics, swimming, cricket, softball, badminton, basketball,
volleyball, canoe polo, soccer, touch rugby, as well as the usual sports of tennis,
hockey and netball. Every girl is encouraged to participate and to develop her
own particular skills.
Iona students also pursue cultural activities. Students are involved in chamber
music ensembles, concert bands, choirs, kapa haka and drama clubs. Optional
private tuition is available in a wide range of musical instruments.
Pastoral Care
All international students live in the
school boarding facilities during the
school term. A host family scheme is
in operation to cater for students
during the holidays.
Transport
The nearest airport is Napier. A taxi/shuttle service provides transport to and
from the airport or to bus/train depots. A regular bus service is available into
Hastings. Havelock North is within walking distance of school.
Fees Protection Policy
All international students attending Iona College are required to take insurance
with Unicare which guarantees under Section B Additional Expenses, Section 4
1 (d) cover for students due to “the unforeseen insolvency, regulatory closure or
withdrawal of accreditation of any education provider”. The Iona College
Board of Trustees guarantees to hold in reserve sufficient funds to meet any
refund requirements.
Withdrawal from Iona College
The parents of international students who wish to withdraw must:

provide a minimum of one term’s notice in writing

give approval for their daughter to complete and sign the leaving form.
Page 5
Grievance Procedures
An international student enrolled at Iona College has the same rights as a
domestic student. Policies and procedures are in place to ensure that grievances
are dealt with adequately and fairly. A student who believes that the school has
failed to follow the Code of Practice has four recourses - the school
International Students Director, the School Principal, the College Council (for a
Boarding matter) or the Board of Trustees (for a school matter). Should the
student feel that the matter has not been dealt with satisfactorily, she may appeal
to the International Education Appeal Authority, Ministry of Education,
Wellington. This procedure is posted in the ESOL classroom.
Attendance Requirements
1. The school treats international students as it does domestic students and the
school’s policies and Code of Conduct apply.
2. Form teachers and/or Deans will liaise with the Boarding Manager.
3. Parents of international students who are failing to meet course
requirements will be contacted promptly.
4. If a student withdraws or ceases to attend, the school will notify the New
Zealand Immigration Service.
Termination of Enrolment
An international student once enrolled at a school has the same rights as a
domestic student and cannot be excluded or expelled from the school other than
in accordance with the stand down and suspension provisions of the Education
Act.
The decision to suspend a student will be made by the Principal on the grounds
of gross misconduct or continual disobedience. In addition, where a decision is
made to exclude a student from the school and this necessitates a return home,
the following procedures will be followed:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The parents of the student will be notified of the matters causing concern.
A decision will be made as to whether the student should be given
permission to enrol with an alternative provider in New Zealand.
The Principal’s decision will be referred to the College Council and
Board of Trustees where the student has been suspended.
The student has the right to attend the hearing and be represented as
provided for in the 1989 Education Act.
If enrolment is terminated the school will notify the New Zealand
Immigration Service.
Page 6
Fees
IONA COLLEGE
International Student Fee Structure
The College operates a four term year
All fees stated are inclusive of GST at the rate of 15.0%
The amounts as scheduled below are stated in $NZ currency
College Expenses
Enrolment Fee (non refundable)
$500.00
Tuition Fees
Varies depending on course selection but includes
all ESOL tuition and International Student Levy
$16,500.00
Boarding Fee
Accommodation in the Boarding House and meals
provided by the College
$11,700.00
Facilitation Fee
An annual fee for the care and welfare of the student
Travel and Medical Insurance
Arranged by the College through ‘Uni-Care’ and
valid for 12 months to cover travel from New
Zealand to the student’s home. This cost will be
charged on an actual basis
Total
$1,500.00
$450.00
$30,650.00
Student’s Personal School Account
Additional funds are required to cover expenses such as
sports, stationery, school trips, holiday accommodation
arranged by the College, expenses incurred by the College
for the benefit of the student and the student’s personal
spending
$3,000.00
Initial cost of student’s school uniform, approximately
$2,000.00
Any monies not expended from the student’s personal school account
will be refunded or carried forward into the next College year.
Student’s International Travel
Return airfares to the student’s home country are the responsibility of the
parent. The College will make appropriate bookings but the necessary funds
will need to be deposited in the student’s personal account with the College.
Application Requirements and Procedures
Annual Fees and Personal Costs for the year, including return airfare to
student’s home country, must be received by the College in full before a student
leaves her home country.
International students at Iona College pay the year’s fees and charges in
advance. An ‘Offer of Place’ document, which allows for a student visa and/or
permit to be acquired, can only be issued once the fees have been received. It is
important therefore, that fees be paid in time to apply for a visa. The following
are required before an ‘Offer of Place’ is sent:
A completed student’s application form (see following)

A completed parent’s application form (see following)

A letter from your doctor indicating that your daughter is in good physical
and mental health

Your daughter’s latest school report

A short written comment from your daughter about why she would like to
study in New Zealand
Failure to disclose any mental or physical information about your daughter
which may affect her participation in school life may result in the cancellation
of any contracts or agreement with the Iona College.

Class and Year placement is conditional on assessment after arrival at Iona
College.
Application Forms
IONA COLLEGE
APPLICATION FORM FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS
To be completed by the Student
Surname
Given Names
Date of Birth
Present Form Level
Religion
1.
List the Schools you have attended:
2.
What is your first language/mother tongue?
3.
How many years have you been studying English?
4.
List any public English tests you have attempted e.g. TOEFL etc. and give
the results:
5.
List any subjects you are currently studying which are taught in English:
6.
Which subjects have you studied in previous years at secondary school
level?
7.
Year of entry to Iona College
8.
Level of study at Entry
(in which Year group do you wish to begin your studies)
9.
Which subjects do you wish to study?
10. For how many years do you intend to study at Iona?
11. For which New Zealand qualifications (if any) do you wish to study?
12. Present School and Class
13. Do you wish holiday accommodation to be arranged for you?
Academic and Personal Report
Please enclose a copy of your most recent school report and a supporting letter
from the Principal of your present school. Please provide a one page essay
written in English on why you would like to be at school in New Zealand.
IONA COLLEGE
APPLICATION FORM FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS
To be completed by Parents/Guardians
Parent/Guardian
Full Name
Address
Email
Home Telephone
Home Facsimile
Work Telephone
Occupation
New Zealand Guardian of Applicant (if applicable)
Name
Address
Telephone
Bankers (to whom reference can be made)
Name
Address
Telephone
Facsimile
•
Are there special family circumstances of which the Iona staff
should be aware, e.g. family court orders, access arrangements?
Yes / No
If Yes, please specify
The Principal must be notified immediately in writing of any change in
family circumstances.
•
Does your daughter suffer from any physical or mental disability or
have special needs of which the school should be aware and which
may affect her full participation in school life?
Yes / No
If Yes, please specify
Check List
Please tick to indicate that the following items are enclosed.







Banker’s letter of recommendation
Health Certificate
Copy of Birth Certificate or Passport
Student’s most recent school report
Principal’s letter of support
Student’s essay
Enrolment fee of $500.00