We warmly welcome international students whether they wish to stay for two weeks to improve conversational English or five years to gain entrance to university, through our national qualification NCEA, which is internationally recognised. We can design a programme to meet your needs.
Founded in 1914, Taranaki Dio is a vibrant and dynamic girls’ boarding and day school with excellent academic results.
With a maximum school roll of 200, we intentionally have limited numbers of international students, from a range of countries, to ensure that each girl is well cared for and their learning and social needs are superbly met. International students are quickly made to feel at home in our school and our community; the stories they bring and cultures they share help all Kiwi students to be global citizens.
We have a comprehensive orientation programme and strong ongoing pastoral care that helps our international girls integrate smoothly into our school. You will be met at the airport by our homestay coordinator and we will have a full orientation programme when you arrive at school. Our International Dean will assess your English skills to establish the appropriate academic placement level.
Our Dean of International Students will work closely with you to ensure that you settle into classes, have a Kiwi buddy and have support available. We continually encourage all students to make the most of their New Zealand experience academically, socially and culturally. International students are warmly welcome to participate in co-curricular activities such as sport, music or cultural groups including our International Committee. Many of our international students are very keen members of our Kapa Haka Maori Culture Group. We pride ourselves on our warm and friendly school, and on providing a safe and welcoming environment for all new students.
ESOL classes are taught by our Dean of International Students and are available to all international students to support their specific needs. Long-term international students are encouraged to sit the New Zealand Qualification, National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA).
There are plenty of opportunities for international students to experience living with a “Kiwi” family while they study at Taranaki Dio. Our school year is divided into four terms with a two-week holiday in between each term. During the holidays, and every three weeks at our exeat weekends, when all boarders go home and the boarding house is closed, our international students live with homestay families who have been very carefully selected by the International Department. Living in a family home provides international students with an opportunity to explore a different part of New Zealand and experience authentic kiwi living.
Taranaki Dio is a signatory to the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice and offers an extensive orientation programme with particular support for any student who may initially have some understandable homesickness. The following support services are also available to students:
Full academic reports are issued twice a year and academic progress reports are available every six weeks. Agents and parents receive any other reports as required as well as copies of formal and academic progress reports.
We keep in touch with our international students and many return to visit us after they have completed their studies. An international experience at Taranaki Dio is the beginning of a global life-long friendship.
