Surge in demand from international students
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury school principals are welcoming a surge in interest from international students after numbers plummeted during Covid.
Recent media reports suggest international students are returning to New Zealand faster than expected after the Covid-19 restrictions.
International students dropped to zero in North Canterbury during Covid.
But Simon Green, an advocate for principals and boards of trustees throughout Otago and Canterbury, said demand is strong from overseas schools and students wanting to come to the region.
He predicted schools could be back to pre-Covid levels next year.
Pre-Covid, the international education sector contributed around $3.9 billion to New Zealand’s economy, according to Education New Zealand, making it the fifth largest export.
Primary schools are entering the international student market, with Swannanoa and Te Matauru (Rangiora) Schools among those taking overseas students.
Green said having international students provides cultural learning opportunities, as well as being a financial windfall for schools.
‘‘It allows schools to provide those extra things which can enrich the curriculum and help fund infrastructure and property.’’
Green works as a leadership adviser with Evaluation Associates, supporting principals and boards.
He is also the Rangiora High School board of trustees presiding member.
Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney said he is pleased to see international students back at the school.
‘‘We are still down on our pre-Covid numbers, but the market has bounced back quite a bit.’’
Kaiapoi High School suspended its international programme after Covid hit, before employing a new international director around six months ago.
‘‘We wanted to take some time to build some pastoral and administrative practices before hitting the ground running this year,’’ principal Jason Reid said.
But the demand has far exceeded expectations, prompting the school to increase its staffing levels to support the international students.
Students from Japan and Brazil are studying at the school this year, while connections are being made with schools in China.
Two groups of overseas principals and teachers have also visited the school last week.
An external provider has sponsored a Chinese teacher to offer Mandarin lessons for students and the wider community, while a group of 16 Kaiapoi students will visit China on a cultural exchange.
Rangiora New Life School hosted a group of 20 German students last week led by former principal Brian Seatter.
Principal Stephen Walters said it was the fifth visit from Germany, but the first in four years due to Covid.
‘‘We’ve bounced back really well. We’ve got a few students for a full year, but mainly they’re coming for short stays.
‘‘Last year we had more than 30 international students, but never more than half a dozen at a time and we are seeing that trend continue.’’
The school was able to retain its international director during Covid, which made it easier to relaunch its international programme.
Strong relationships have been established with Japan, China and Europe, with the international director visiting Thailand this year.
Walters said international exchanges are an opportunity for his students to learn about different cultures, as well as the financial benefits to the school and the wider community.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Viewing platform proposed for Canterbury estuary
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A proposed viewing platform for the Ashley Rakahuri River estuary is ‘‘a wonderful gift’’, says a local community leader.
The Woodend-Sefton Community Board has recommended the Waimakariri District Council accept the offer from the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group to build a viewing platform overlooking the estuary.
‘‘It is a wonderful gift. It is absolutely amazing and it is the perfect location,’’ board chairperson Shona Powell said.
‘‘I can see everyone enjoying it, from bird watchers, photographers, locals and visitors.
‘‘The estuary is a really precious place and the more people we can get along there to look at it and enjoy it and learn about the world-renowned bird life the better.’’
The Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group received a $20,000 bequest from the Annie Currie Legacy Fund and wishes to use the funds to build a viewing platform in the estuary.
Group spokesperson Nick Ledgard said the bequest was a welcomed surprise.
He said the bequest came with a stipulation for the money to be used for a tangible asset associated with volunteers.
‘‘We put before our group the idea of building a viewing platform and it was agreed.’’
The rivercare group has worked with council staff on a design for the viewing platform and will provide volunteer labour to build and install it.
The viewing platform has a simple design and will be wheelchair accessible, Ledgard said.
Once complete the group plans to gift the viewing platform to the community.
If approved at the next council meeting, the council will cover the costs of the consent, the upgrade of an access path and ongoing maintenance costs.
Ledgard said he hoped the project would be completed by the end of this summer.
It would be erected on the south side of the Ashley Rakahuri River, about 10 metres from the estuary car park at Waikuku Beach.
The estuary is recognised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as a wetland of international significance and is a breeding ground for a number of threatened and critically endangered bird species.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.9% Second half of November
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44.5% 1st December
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16.7% A week before Christmas
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32.6% Whenever you wish
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
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