Scots College – Learning. For Life.

Director of International Students, Pastoral Care

What does your role involve?
I assist the International Students with their academic programme to ensure that they

meet their individual goals and can move onto a suitable tertiary institution (ie. University or Polytech) when they finish school. I also encourage the students to get involved with extra-curricular activities within the school and to enjoy participating in the wide variety of activities as part of the school-wide House system.

How long have you been in this role?
5 years.

Why did you choose to work at Scots College?
I have always enjoyed teaching ESOL (English as a Second Language), students ever since my experience teaching overseas for a year in 2001.  On my return to New Zealand I completed my Masters in Applied Linguistics at Victoria University in Wellington, and then taught ESOL briefly at Wellington Girls’ College before moving on to my role here at Scots College in 2007. 

What 3 things do you most enjoy about your job?

1. I really enjoy assisting ESOL students to achieve their social, academic and personal goals.
2. Meeting students and their families from all around the world and learning about their cultures.
3. Seeing the students involving themselves in sporting and cultural events and really enjoying their school experience is hugely rewarding.

What do you find most challenging?

1. Assisting ESOL students to gain their literacy credits so they can attend a suitable tertiary institution. There is often a lot at stake and I understand the pressure they are under to achieve the all-important literacy credits so that they can continue their education to tertiary level.
2. Helping ESOL students adapt to the school culture and New Zealand culture – sometimes it’s the smallest things that can prove the most challenging.
3. Assisting mainstream teachers who have ESOL students in their classes to fully understand the needs of these students and how they can best help them to achieve their goals.

What do you think International Students should know about Scots College before they start school?

1. This school has a very special character that develops a climate of compassion and understanding.
2. The House system that ensures International Students interact with and really get to know and become good friends with other students of different ages and backgrounds.
3. Scots College consistently achieves top academic results, obtained through the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and New Zealand NCEA qualifications – both qualifications are taught at the school.

What trips & activities have you most enjoyed organising for International Students?

1. I found recent the trip to Te Papa, the National Museum to be very worthwhile and enjoyable because the students were introduced to Maori Culture and gained a real understanding of Maori protocols, which an important part of life in New Zealand.
2. All the international students enjoy the Ski Trip up to Mt Ruapehu in the middle of the North Island, where they can either ski or snow board.  This provides an ideal opportunity for students to get to know each other better and participate in an activity often requiring interaction with native speakers of English.

Name 3 things you have learnt from your time working with International Students and their families about the challenges involved in studying and living abroad?

1. International Students have to adapt and understand a new school system and culture often without the support of their family and friends, which can be very challenging.
2. Slang and colloquialisms used by New Zealand teenagers can cause confusion and make it difficult socially initially for an international student. However often once the students learn this slang there’s no stopping them!
3. International Students work remarkably hard to not only overcome language barriers, but also to achieve at the level required for their particular native speaking cohort. I greatly admire the achievements of our international students.

Highlights from your experiences to-date working with the International Students?
A fond memory was visiting the families of our International Students in Thailand and Indonesia in 2010.  All the families made me feel very welcome and the hospitality was amazing.  I could see how hard they were working to ensure their son was able to study overseas.  Being able to experience the culture first-hand also helped me to better understand the backgrounds of students from these cultures.

I am always impressed with the willingness of International Students to participate in the international student chapel service and speak at the End of Year Dinner with their leavers’ speech.  It highlights how thankful they are for being at Scots College and how they have developed their English to a point where they can speak in front of an audience.

What 10 things would you recommend International Students who are new to Scots College do to ensure they make the most of their time here?

1. Become involved in extra-curricular activities at the College.
2. Make connections with students from other cultures.
3. Ask the teacher for assistance when a task is to difficult – they are there to help.
4. Become familiar with School rules and routines – it makes life easier.
5.  Get involved with your House by competing in inter-house activities
6. Read English texts widely and for enjoyment out of class time – books, blogs, newspapers, magazines – anything you can get your hands on!
7. Write a journal on your experiences of settling into a new school and culture – it’s amazing to look back on at the end of the year, to see how much you’ve achieved.
8. Make friends with native English speaking students – your conversational skills will improve much more quickly when you’re speaking with friends as they’ll help you learn all the words you need to be a part of the fun.
9. Go to the movies and watch DVDs with subtitles.
10. Organise day trips exploring the sites and attractions of Wellington – it’s a great little city and there’s so much to see and do.