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International Students NewsThe first term was an extremely busy one at Sacred Heart College, not only for the International Department but for the entire school.
The ELL (English Language Learner) Department, where many International Students have language lessons in RE/Social Studies and Senior Thematic English Studies, moved classrooms to the new Pompallier Block, three weeks into the term. This was a major exercise, but the ELL students and the teachers certainly now appreciate the new, bright, warm rooms with their wonderful view across the Auckland harbour. The upgrade of the K block classrooms and the resulting relocation of classes in the first few weeks throughout caused some confusion, particularly for the new International Students some of whom became very disorientated. We all now, however, truly appreciate our new learning environments with their upgraded facilities. These improvements are all part of the College development plan to ensure that an optimum learning environment is provided for our Sacred Heart College boys and their teachers. This first term was a shorter term than usual at only eight and a half weeks of teaching time, but many school-wide extracurricular activities still took place. Highlights of the term were the school Swimming Sports, the Twilight Athletics, the PTA Fair and the School Haka Competition. We welcomed to the school at the start of the year new students from Fiji, Tonga, Hong Kong, Korea, China and Japan. The start of Term 2 saw students from Thailand, Guatemala and Korea begin their studies at the College. All these students face many challenges as they come to grips with a new culture and lifestyle, but also for many of them the challenge of academic learning in a second language. One of the major roles of the International Department is to work closely with other departments in the school to ensure that our International Students get the support that they need in their transition into life at the College. Parents, agents and guardians of International Students should feel free to contact the office on +64-9-529 3660 extn 882, if they have any questions.
International Student appointed Deputy Head PrefectTJ Peterson, who comes from Fiji, was proudly named a Deputy Head Prefect at the start of Term 1. TJ, who is in Year 13, has attended the College since Year 9. He has been a boarder in the Hostel and was the international liaison student last year, as well as in 2010. He is also the prefect liaison for international students. TJ is a great support to new international students in the Hostel, as he well understands the challenges of adjusting to life in New Zealand and at the College. One of the most important roles he feels he has as a prefect is to be a role model for younger students at the College. For the future, TJ is considering a career as a teacher.
Gakushuin Students visit Sacred HeartIn March in Term 1, 24 13-14 year old students from elite Japanese school, Gakushuin, visited Sacred Heart College for one week. The boys were homestayed with Sacred Heart College families, and were buddied with a Sacred Heart College student for the week. The students had English language tuition in the Old Boys Lounge in the morning and were then integrated into either a Year 9 or 10 class in the afternoon with their school buddy. The students also visited the Auckland museum and participated in a sports exchange on two of the afternoons. The visit culminated in a farewell afternoon tea, where the Japanese students performed a traditional Japanese ceremony and the Sacred Heart College students performed a haka. Although the visit was a major organisational undertaking for the International Department, the benefits that were gained by the participating Sacred Heart College boys and their families and the Japanese students certainly made the visit well worthwhile.New English Language Learner Department StaffThe English Language Learner Department, which supports new learners of English at the College, welcomes two new departmental members.
Mrs Kelly Martel, who has been working as a teacher aide in the Department since Term 4, 2009, has a degree in languages (Japanese, German and French), from Waikato University. She has taught English in Japan and after gaining an ESOL certificate from the Home Tutor Society has done voluntary tutoring for the past two years through English Language partners. Mrs Martel has an ongoing interest in languages and teaching English as a second language.
Mrs Mary Ward has an MA in Linguistics and a Diploma in Second Language Teaching. Mrs Ward has taught at SHC and and then Baradene College for a number of years. She has also taught in a number of different situations ranging from teaching preliterate refugees to university and polytechnic students; however she does prefer teaching secondary age students.
. SACRED HEART COLLEGE, 250 WEST TAMAKI ROAD, GLENDOWIE, AUCKLAND 1071, NEW ZEALAND
admin@sacredheart.school.nz . TEL: 09 529 3660, FAX: 09 529 3661 |
