International Enrolments

Berkley Normal Middle School is a Decile 8 school catering for Yr 7, 8 and 9 students.

Located in Hillcrest, Hamilton, Berkley offers a wonderful education experience to your child.

At Berkley we are proud of the opportunities we provide for our international students. We welcome the diversity that different cultures bring to our school. We offer a positive, safe and friendly learning environment.

International students are fully mainstreamed and are encouraged to access all learning activities offered at Berkley Normal Middle School. Our focus is on providing high quality academic learning and achievement. Our curriculum areas are Numeracy (Mathematics), Literacy (Reading, Writing and Speaking). Science and Social Studies. We also provide programmes in Materials Technology, Food Technology, Information Communication Technology, Drama, Dance, Music, Visual Art and Health & Physical Education. Opportunities to participate in cultural, sport and outdoor activities are a strong part of our ‘Berkley experience’.

There is a wide range of after school activities that can be accessed by international students for a minimal additional cost.

All international students have the opportunity to participate in our specialised ELL classes and we have ESOL qualified and experienced teachers.

Berkley Normal Middle School is a signatory to the NZ Code of Practice for the pastoral care of international students, as per the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Copies of this code are available from the NZQA website.

We are a registered member of the Waikato Education International (WEI). Please contact Mrs Sandra Woods at our school office on 64 7 856 6537 or email office@berkley.school.nz if you need further assistance or information and for any enquiries if you are considering Berkley as an option for your child.

Meet and greet meetings for parents/caregivers of international students are held twice yearly and this is a fantastic chance to catch up with our staff and other families in our school community.

Appointments with our Deputy Principal and International Liaison are welcome at any stage of the school year and can be made by calling our school office on 07 8566537.

International students are provided with a loan dictionary to use at home to support their respective home learning programmes.

On exit from Berkley Normal Middle School, international students receive a formal report which details:

English Language Learning Achievements in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening
NZ Curriculum levels
Contributions to Berkley Normal Middle School

Enrolment Procedures and Forms

The following documents must be presented to the school office when enrolling:

Passport with permit or visitor’s visa
Travel and Medical Insurance policy

In addition the following forms must be downloaded, completed and signed by the parent or caregiver:

Tuition Fees

Please contact the school office for information regarding international fees.

Short term fees will be negotiated on an individual basis.

Fees must be paid at the time of enrolment and must be accompanied by the required documentation.

All bank transfer fees for payment of international fees to the school are not covered by Berkley Normal Middle School and are the responsibility of the fee payer.

An administration fee of $200.00 may apply for short stay students (4 – 6 weeks) to each international enrolment.

Stationery costs are included when the full year tuition is paid.

Please contact Sandra Woods at school office on 07) 8566537 or office@berkley.school.nz

Here at Berkley we highly value the contribution our International Students make to school life. As a IB school, our philosophy is strongly focused on sharing the planet international mindfulness.

Uniform

1 x boys shorts/girl skorts (compulsory)

2 x short sleeved polo shirts (compulsory)

1 x polar fleece

PE shirt

PE shorts

We also have puffer jackets and scarfs available for purchase.

Socks must be plain white, black, or navy.

Berkley hats/caps are compulsory for Term 1 and Term 4, in accordance with our sun smart guidelines.

The permitted footwear is either black roman sandals for boys and girls, or black lace up polishable leather shoes. Girls may wear black leather polishable shoes with a strap.

Students may wear one set of plain studs in the ears and one chain or bone carving/pounamu

Dyed hair is not permitted and must be the natural hair colour.

Medical and Travel Insurance

International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. A copy of this policy is to be presented upon enrolment.

International Education Policy Rationale

In preparation for a global economy and cosmopolitan New Zealand, students learning and developing together provides an appropriate school environment that facilitates a smooth walk into the future.

International Education Goals:

To promote an exciting, dynamic teaching and learning environment for all students.
To prepare students to take their place in an internationally integrated world.
To develop an international education perspective for all stakeholders (students, staff, parents and caregivers and the wider community).
To diversify its sources of income to provide resources and facilities for all students.

Objectives:

To promote an exciting and dynamic teaching and learning environment for all students.
Provide programmes appropriate to the learning needs, abilities and stages of development of its international students and provide programmes which develop an understanding of the contribution other cultures have made to our accumulated knowledge and understanding of the world
Provide appropriate English for speakers of other languages (ELL) programmes
Employ trained, qualified and registered staff, to work on ELL programmes and recruit subject teachers with ELL qualifications and support staff members wishing to gain ELL qualifications
Promote language learning throughout the school and provide a balance of Asian, European, Pacific languages
Provide appropriate facilities and resources for all staff and students
Foster the maintenance of student’s first language/s and culture
Provide programmes which foster an understanding of people, their migrations and which explore issues and solutions to issues that may arise out of cultural difference
To develop an international education perspective for all stakeholders (students, staff, parents and caregivers and the wider community).

Promote and maintain:

Activities designed to recognise and celebrate cultural difference within the school e.g. clubs, concerts, international days
Peer support and buddy systems within the school environment
Opportunities for international students to gain knowledge and appreciation of New Zealand life and culture
Specific relationships with schools in other parts of the world
Co-operation with other schools and organisations undertaking similar programmes both informally and, where appropriate, through formal partnerships.
Relationships with international groups within the wider community to provide advice and mentoring and support to international students. Involvement of the local community in the international education partnership
An annual staff professional development programme for all staff, including strategies for working effectively with students from non-English speaking backgrounds.
To diversify its sources of income to provide resources and facilities for all students
Establish effective annual Business and Operating Plans for its international student business
Ensure that fee paying students are the primary beneficiaries of the revenue their enrolments generate
Apply any surplus from international student fees to improve facilities and resources for all students

International Student Policies

Click here to download a copy of our