Care and Support
We believe this is one of the most important parts of our programme. If our students are to be successful at school they must be feeling cared about and supported both in school and at home. So we have a team of 8 people in our international office to help our students in all areas of their lives.
All our international students are cared for in a safe family environment in one of our modern hostels, or with one of our experienced homestay families. They are all given an emergency card which has a 24 hour emergency contact number.
Our Hostel and Homestay programmes focus on our International students quickly feeling part of a family environment.
We organise regular activities for our students and we go on a trip together twice a year in the school holidays.
We know all our homestay families personally
ESOL
English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) is a service we provide for all our students who need additional English Language classes in their regular school timetable.
We teach English Language in small classes where the individual needs of each student are met. This ensures that advanced students are extended and elementary students learn the basics of English. Our Garin College ESOL programme Level 3 is one of the few in New Zealand which has been granted NZQA (New Zealand Qualifications Authority) accreditation. This means it has been assessed and is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
Corinna Kagaya is our dedicated English Language teacher. Her experience and support helps to ensure that all our international students receive as much opportunity to improve their language skills as possible while living and studying at Garin.
She is student focussed in her teaching therefore the language needs of her students are the main focus. Corinna has also lived in Japan and China and understands the challenges faced by students living and learning in a different culture and language. She speaks both Japanese and Mandarin.
Our Team
We have a very experienced international team. Our director of International students, Diana Murdoch, takes responsibility for the overall management of the programme and is responsible for the pastoral care of all our international students.
- 2 language teachers
- A homestay coordinator
- 2 teacher assistants to work with students in mainstream classes
- An administrator who helps with visas and general questions
Diana Murdoch: Director of International Students
Diana has worked with international students for 25 years. She loves being part of the education of young people and will do all she can to make sure students reach their goals while they are studying at Garin College. Diana also has 2 university aged children of her own and understands how challenging it is to send your child to another country to study.
Denise Gerrish: International Administrator
Denise provides administration support and can help you with student visas; pocket money, uniform, library and computer access or anything else you are not sure of.
Jacqui Cleary: Homestay Coordinator
Jacqui places students in homestays and provides pastoral care and support for you and your family. She can help with any questions you may have concerning your homestay or the hostel.
Corinna Kagaya: English Language Teacher
This is Mrs Corinna Kagaya. She is our amazing English language teacher for our three senior English Language classes. Corinna is a very experienced English Language teacher and has also lived in Japan and China. She is passionate about teaching English and her classroom is both exciting and interesting.
Freya Picugin is our English Language Learning Teacher Aide providing international students with the literacy skills and knowledge to help them in mainstream classes.