What Students Say...

Student from Germany

Hi.

My name is Elena and I spent the first 10 years of my school life in Brunsvick, Germany.

When I joined Waitakere College (6th form, Year 12) I experienced great support, interest and more than everything a warm welcome from students and staff.

As soon as I could I joined many sport teams from the list which ranges from Dragonboating over the national sports Rugby and Cricket to Waterpolo and Basketball.

There is something for everyone! I loved  the great team spirit and the involvement in the school community. I got to know many other students who enjoyed the sports as much as I did and together we had so much fun whether practicing or competing with other schools.

It’s amazing how much of their own time the teachers and coaches put into support and organise their team.  But not only is the sport diversity fantastic, the classes were too.

You can choose between a heap of subjects and even try Nutrition or Engineering. I felt the greatest difference between school in Germany and in Waitakere College was the personal and relaxed relationship we had with the teachers. Everybody works together and tries to achieve the most with every student. There is so much help and also challenges for those who are interested a little bit more beyond the classes.

It’s such a friendly and comfortable environment to work and learn in.

The school is very well equipped, whether it’s the science block, the average class room, the sport teams or even the hall. Here the outstanding school production is performed and in the Talent Quest students have the chance to prove their dancing and singing talent in front of an audience.

Something that was also special to me and a unique experience was the diversity of cultures represented. I loved learning about the traditions, food and clothes during Culture Week where many students showed us in different ways what life looks like where they come from.

Settling in so quickly and smoothly was also due to the fantastic support of the International Office which cares for all the International Students. We did a day trip with the others who were new to the school to get to know them better and met weekly to catch up on what we had experienced and occasionally to discuss some problems.

Waitakere College is a wonderful school with so many great people. I felt at home from the very first minute!

Elena

Student from Thailand

Hello

My name is Mook and I’m from Thailand.

I have had a very great time here in NZ. I have had a very great host family that I really enjoyed staying with. I learnt how to cook food in western style with my host mother. It was very different from my home country.

I studied in Waitakere College and I joined the water polo school team. I had lots of fun even though I had practice every Monday morning at 6.30am before school! I really enjoyed it because I hadn’t played it before and it was very good exercise for me!

The special thing that I will not forget about school is school ball - it was such a special night. Awesome!

I went lots of places in NZ, I love it here! The scenery is so beautiful and NZ people are very nice!

I learnt about Maori culture and I also exchanged Thai culture in the school. I have done many different things which I have never done it before. It was the best year experience of my life.

Mook with friendI won’t forget anything that happened while I was in NZ. I will miss everything here! I Love Kiwis! Go Waitakere College!!

Mook

Student from China

My name is Yong Chao Dai and I’m from China.

I have been studying at Waitakere College as an International Student since the middle of 2007.  Waitakere College offers a good quality education.  It is a multi-cultural college, we have students from all around the world including Germany, Korea and China.

You can choose from many subjects and all the teachers here are helpful and friendly.  They will try their best to help each of their students to achieve.  In order to improve the students study the teachers set up a homework group in the library every Tuesday after school.  They are there to give students a hand with different subjects.

I am living with a Kiwi family.  They look after me and treat me as a member of their family.  I think living with them has improved my English quite a lot!

Welcome to Waitakere College!  Come and study with me!  I’m sure you can achieve what you want here.

Student from Korea

My name is Miso and I am a Year 12 student studying at Waitakere College.

I have been in New Zealand for almost 4 1/2 years and for the four years I have been in New Zealand I have been at Waitakere College.  Waitakere College is my first school in this country and will be my last school before I go to university.

There are many things that the school offered me when I first began studying here.  Everyone around the school was very friendly and welcoming.  There teachers are great and always help me with any sort of problem.  I would say that the teachers at our school would be the best part about learning at Waitakere College.  All the teachers are very friendly and take an interest in each individual student.  I believe this is one of the advantages our school has over other schools.  I have been able to have good relationships with my teachers and learn in a happy environment.

Waitakere College is one of the best schools I have attended and it is a school that I will always remember.  The types of subjects that our school offers are wide ranging.  This has helped me significantly as I take interest in both the art subjects as well as the sciences.  The school has given me lots of opportunities to maintain my interest in both areas.  I have been able to develop my art skills as well as study my science subjects.  I believe that the different departments that make up our school are very powerful and supportive.

The school has many useful programs, events and activities.  The program I always take advantage of is the ‘3.05 Hive’.  This is where students who need extra help with any of their subjects come to the library after school at 3.05 and get individual tuition from teachers.  This happens every Tuesday and is very beneficial to students.

I enjoy studying at Waitakere College and love being part of the school as a proud student.  I believe this school has not only helped me a lot with my academic and artistic education but also with the social part of my life.  I have been involved in many extra curricula activities around the school.  Kiwi Buddies, Academic Council, ESOL tutoring and the Arts Council are all things I am currently involved in.  All these activities offer very special experience to me and help me to be useful around the school.

When I finish my years at Waitakere College I am planning to become a dentist or a nurse.  I will try my best to get into Tertiary Education and pursue my dreams in the medical area.  I will never forget my experiences at Waitakere College and know they will serve me well in later life.

Miso Oh