International Department News
12 Dec
2024 has been another busy and rewarding year for our international department.
The rewards are not only for the students arriving from other parts of the world to spend time here in Hokitika and Westland High School but for our local students to embrace the experience of being a buddy or a friend to an international student.
This year we have hosted 36 students from 4 countries and the aim is to continue expanding the programme to include students from other countries.
The inaugural visit from our In Viaggio con Fede students from Italy was incredibly rewarding and it was great to see how the students gained so much from their rugby experience and had an increased feeling of belonging due to the welcome they received from their host families and members or our first XV rugby team. I would like to acknowlege Mr Waller and all his hard work with this initiative. You’re amazing. We look forward to welcoming Dante, Diego, Andrea and Davide in January 2025.
We also had another successful Avignon programme and welcomed Paul, Juliette, Anais, Matteo, Charles and Gabriel in Term 2.
From Germany we have had the pleasure of meeting, Alicia, Meggy, Hannah, Clara, Grete and Richard. Grete, Richard and Meggy will return to Westland High School in 2025 and we wish them a lovely summer break.
In Term 1 2025 we will welcome our four students from Italy, 3 more students from Germany.
Thanks to all our fantastic buddies and host families – we couldn’t do it without you. We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and summer break with your loved ones.
