a guide to hosting international students - burnside high school · 2020. 5. 19. · thank you for...
TRANSCRIPT
A Guide to Hosting
International Students
Burnside High School
PO Box 29677
Christchurch 8540
New Zealand
Phone: 0064 3 358 8383
International Cellphone (24 hours): 021 891 025
Email: [email protected] January 2020
HOSTING GUIDE
Inside This Guide
2 Burnside High School -
Background
3 Welcome from
Homestay Manager,
Requirements for
Hosting, Homestay Visits
4 Arrivals, Expectations of
Hosts, Insurance
5 Meals and Food,
Bathrooms, Laundry
6 Climate, Internet/Email
Cellphone
7 Tips for Hosts
8 Weekends and Going
Out, Evenings
9 Rules, First Day
Instructions, Change in
Circumstances, Travel,
Departures
10 Student Responsibilities,
When things don’t work
out, Guardians
11 Homestay Payments,
Communication
12 Host Family Guidelines,
Alcohol
Burnside High School - Background Burnside High School is the largest secondary school in the South Island with
over 2,600 students. We are proud of the multi-cultural aspect of our school
which has students from over 35 different countries. Since the early 1990s
Burnside High School has hosted international students from all over the
world, although currently most of our students come from Korea, China,
Japan, Thailand, Germany, Brazil, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
Many of our students come for six months or one year to improve their
English. We also have a number of students who will begin their schooling in
Year 9 and continue at school for the entire five years of their secondary
school education. Our students either live in a homestay or a “designated
caregiver” which can be a family member or close friend of the family. We
work hard to ensure we have a good relationship with both our host families
and designated caregivers and work together as a team to provide the best
education and environment we can for our students.
Any school or institution who has international students in New Zealand must
be a signatory to *The Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International
Students. This is a document that outlines everything we must do to ensure
our students are safe and well looked after during their time in New Zealand.
For example; we visit hosts during the year and interview all our students
once a term. It is also compulsory for all people over the age of 18 in a host
family to have a police vet. You will find out more about “The Code” as you
read this guide and the relevant section at the back of this booklet.
For the student, New Zealand is a different country. This frequently means a
different kind of house, different foods, customs, attitudes and ways of doing
things. All these are covered in more detail in this booklet. Some students
have problems adjusting to the comparative freedom of New Zealand
society. On the other hand we have some international students who enjoy
more freedom than we consider suitable for secondary school students and
may not be willing to respond to a lot of ‘rules’.
If conflict arises, do contact us straight away, so that any discussion with the
student can be considered. Communication and clear family guidelines will
prevent most misunderstandings and problems arising. Small problems are
best dealt with quickly and gently, and before trust (on both sides) is
threatened.
For a successful relationship between students and family it is important that
both parties have an understanding of each other’s needs. It may take
some time and some adjustments on both sides during the first few weeks
after your student arrives. Make sure you remember to include your children
in discussions about accommodating an International student. The student
must feel wanted and be able to join in activities with other members of your
family.
After the excitement of arriving in New Zealand some students (especially those from Asian countries) may
experience culture shock. Your student may have come from a culture with domestic help and some
students, particularly males, may never have done any household chores.
All new enrolled students will receive a Homestay Guide along with a comprehensive Orientation pack,
which includes advice on being hosted. Please look at this, and talk to your student about the ‘house rules’
in your home. There are further guidelines to assist you with house rules in this booklet.
HOSTING GUIDE
From the Homestay Manager Thank you for offering your home to our students. We welcome host families to Burnside High School. The
homestay experience is a valuable one for the students, and we trust that you will find hosting students of
other cultures rewarding and worthwhile. Hosting students should not be seen as a money-making venture.
The weekly Homestay fee will offset most, if not all, of the additional costs that you will face through having
another person in your family. However, the fee should not be the reason for which the student is hosted.
The student should be welcomed into the home as an additional family member, with all the privileges and
opportunities of other family members. It is imperative that students feel welcomed and wanted in the
family.
Living with a New Zealand family is a major attraction for international students. It is one of the best ways for
students to put into practice the language they are learning, and it allows them to experience a new and
different culture first hand. They have requested to live with a homestay for these reasons.
Prior to hosting your first student you will receive a visit. If the school is satisfied that hosting a student will be a
positive experience for you and for a prospective student, and if you indicate that you wish to host an
international student, you will be added to our database of available families. When a student applies who
we think may be a good match for your family, you will be contacted again. At this time you will receive
information about the student, and the student will receive information about your family, including if
possible, a letter written by you.
If you are unable to host the prospective student we have for you or if you feel the student doesn’t fit your
family, please contact me as soon as possible.
Occasionally, students cancel their application. If this occurs with a student who has applied to stay with
you, you will be advised immediately after we receive notification. Sometimes this can be at quite short
notice and unfortunately there is nothing the school can do in this situation.
Please ensure you read this guide carefully and contact me if you have any questions regarding hosting or
the school.
Mrs Diane George Mrs Tracy Taylor
Requirements for Hosting
1. A bedroom of their own.
2. Comfortable bed, a desk or table and chair,
wardrobe, chest of drawers, heater, hot
water bottle/wheat bag, safe electric
blanket, lamp and extra blankets.
3. All Meals – breakfasts, lunches, evening
meals and snacks from Monday-Sunday (see
further notes in booklet)
4. Their own house key. Make sure it fits the lock
if you are having a new key cut.
5. For the student to feel comfortable and feel
part of your family. This would include
outings and visiting you may do with your
family.
Regular Homestay Visits and Police Checks Under the Code of Practice it is a requirement of
the school to visit you at home. The International
Staff will contact you to arrange a time that is
convenient for both of you. Generally this will be
anytime during our office hours (8.00am - 3.45pm).
However, we are flexible and visits outside of these
hours can be arranged. When you apply to host,
every member of the household over the age of 18
will be required to complete a Police Vetting form
and produce 2 forms of ID (one with photo) which
will be photographed. These are then redone every
3 years.
Mrs Helen Fitzsimmons – Homestay Manager
HOSTING GUIDE
Health and Medical Insurance Most students have pre-arranged Medical and Travel
Insurance; otherwise our International Student
Administrator makes arrangements through the school
for the students to be insured. If your student becomes
involved in an accident please contact the school
immediately. Please seek medical advice if it seems
necessary. If your student is sick and staying home from
class or if he/she is going to be late for class, we
appreciate a call or text on 021 891025 as soon as
possible. Please assist your student to make Doctor or
Dentist appointments if they need to.
The school’s expectations of hosts:
Find out your student’s friends’ names and
phone numbers. Keep this somewhere you can
access if the student comes home late.
Please ensure your student does not carry
large sums of cash
Assist the student in opening a bank account
when they arrive here and advise them to use
a bank card. Should you require extra
assistance with this contact the Homestay
Manager at school
Help with buying regulation school shoes and
school stationery
Show the student how the bus service works
Show them how to get to and from school
Help them with buying a cellphone/SIM card if
necessary
On the first day of Orientation the International staff
will help students with purchasing of the school
uniform.
Remember, we are here to help – if you need any
assistance with any of the above you can contact us.
Student Arrivals
You will be advised when to meet your student at the
airport. The International staff will assist with meeting the
student, and will hold a large sign with your student’s
name on it. If meeting a plane, it is best to check the
flight arrival time first. Your student will be feeling very
tired and very nervous, in particular about their host
family and what the experience will be like. Being on
time will make an enormous difference to the student’s
feelings and experience. If you know in advance that
events will make you late, please contact the Homestay
Manager.
It is possible that your student may:
be a very shy, reticent person who is very
nervous and fearful of what to expect, or of
making a mistake
experience a language and cultural barrier
shed a few tears or an emotional release of
some kind
We suggest you:
take your student home with you as soon as
possible
show your student their room as soon as you
arrive home. Limit the rest of your home
familiarisation. Do it in stages.
encourage them to contact their family to
advise of their safe arrival.
help your student learn the names of family
members and agree on how to address host
parents.
it is a nice touch to leave a welcome card
from the whole family or a small gift or
flowers in their room when they arrive.
(Homemade gifts and garden flowers are
perfectly fine). We recommend this as a
particularly good idea if you are going to be
late to pick your student up. It is very nerve-
wracking to be waiting to be met and a gift
may ensure that the student feels
welcomed.
HOSTING GUIDE
Meals and Food
Check their likes and dislikes. Adjusting to New
Zealand food is not easy for some students, while
others adapt to our food very quickly. Students do
not understand the concept of ‘help yourself’ to
prepare sandwiches/rolls etc. for lunches. Please
explain and show your student where ingredients are
and how to assemble a sandwich.
Students often enjoy substantial breakfasts, and
without them find themselves hungry at morning
break. They may wish to have cereal, fruit and toast.
If your student finds this kind of food upsets their
stomach, eggs are a good alternative.
If you are hosting Asian students try and have rice
and noodles regularly. Often a bottle of chilli sauce
and soya sauce on the table is a flavour students are
familiar with and this would be appreciated. Cook
extra rice and leave in the fridge as an optional
snack or breakfast food for them. They are usually
quite happy to eat it cold. Cups of noodles/2 minute
noodle packets are ideal snacks for in-between
meals and they often prefer these to a sweet snack.
Students from European countries usually eat their
main meal in the middle of the day and it may take
some time for them to adjust. Plenty of fresh fruit
should be made available. It is up to you whether
you allow your student to cook in your kitchen. Most
of our regular supermarkets now have a wonderful
selection of Asian and Continental foods and flavour
sachets, and it is often helpful to invite your student
to accompany you when shopping which would
give them the opportunity to show you what they
like.
Our meal times often seem very early to students but
explain when meal times are and that you wish them
to eat with the family. It is very important to have
your meals at the dinner table as it helps students feel
part of the family and improves their conversation.
Ensure your student has enough to eat – out of
politeness they may be afraid to eat too much.
Snacks between meals should be available. Just like
New Zealand teenagers, they will look for food when
they get home from school, and probably in the
evening, even after a substantial evening meal. The
habit of eating some foods, eg soup, noisily is a sign
of appreciation in some cultures, and students
probably do not know that our custom is different – it
is also a hard habit to break – please be patient with
such things.
If your student goes out as your guest to a restaurant
they should not be required to pay for their meal,
even if everyone else is paying for their share. If you
are out for a meal and the student does not join you,
please ensure they are left a meal at home.
Laundry
Make suitable arrangements with your student
regarding laundry – students may wish to do
their own, or they may be happy to let you do it.
Many of the Asian girls are very particular about
their personal items of washing and you may
need to give specific instructions about where
they may do their own washing and more
importantly, where to put it to dry.
Please watch they do not hang wet washing
over heaters in their rooms or inside their
wardrobes – this can cause dreadful mould
problems. Provide them with a bag to put their
dirty washing in. Arrange and provide regular
bed linen and towel changes. Students have
been known to bring their own towels and linen.
Do not worry if this happens.
Note: The girls winter kilt is “dry-clean only”
Bathrooms
These must be clean and hygienic. Some Asian
students are unfamiliar with our western style
bathrooms. It is necessary to explain to your
student how to use the shower, toilet and bath. It is
advisable to set a reasonable time limit on the
students’ use of the bathroom and length of time
in the shower; 8-10 minutes is reasonable. Also,
explain when showers must be finished by in the
evening. Please provide soap for students to use in
the shower.
Please make sure they know where to dispose of
sanitary items. Explain to them not to put sanitary
towels down the toilet. It is a good idea to place
some plastic bags or have a plastic container
somewhere readily available to your student.
Shampoo and other personal items are the
student’s responsibility to buy. This is explained in
the student’s Homestay guide booklet.
HOSTING GUIDE
Adjusting to the Christchurch Climate
Many of our students come from tropical countries,
and they may never have experienced cold before.
They may not be able to imagine cold weather.
Even students from temperate climates may find it
difficult to adjust to the climate here, and the way in
which we heat our homes. For example, many
countries use very heavy bedding and students do
not feel warm under light duvets of even the best
quality. Students may need more blankets and
more heating than what you expect. Houses in
colder climates are generally centrally heated
throughout the day and night. Students from such
countries will find our houses cold in the winter, and
will need to be involved in a discussion about the
appropriate way to use a heater. We have included
this in the student’s guide, but as each family has a
different heating system it is important they
understand the rules for your house.
You can expect that students may be sensitive to
the cold just because they are in a whole new
environment. Please try and see this as part of the
adjustment to a new country and a way of doing
things.
Students may also need help and advice about
clothing to suit the local climate. You can explain
that the weather is very changeable and that a
jacket is always a good idea.
The school regulation jacket is the only jacket that
can be worn to school with the school uniform.
Students who wear other jackets to school will
generally be given a detention.
If your student is walking to school, it is a good idea
to help them buy an umbrella as students can get
very wet on their way to school and home without
one.
Cellphones:
We expect all our students to have a New Zealand
cellphone number. Students may come with a
phone and need to arrange a new SIM card for New
Zealand, or they may need to buy a phone when
they arrive. This is for safety reasons so host families
and the International department can contact them
at any time.
Please discuss with your student when they should
finish SKYPING/phone calls to their family/friends in the
evenings, as this can be disruptive to you when you
are trying to sleep.
Internet/E-mail
Please monitor the times your students are on the
internet and if they carry on very late at night, please
contact the Homestay Manager.
In January 2020 the hosting fee increased to $294.00
per week. The fee will include the student
contribution towards unlimited internet. It will be our
expectation that all hosts would have unlimited
internet by January 2020.
We do not recommend that students use your
computers. Most students have to bring their own
laptop computer with them to New Zealand as they
need them for class.
HOSTING GUIDE
Tips for Hosts
It will take a little time for students to settle into their new environment, so patience, kindness,
understanding and of course, cultural sensitivity are necessary attributes for anyone wishing to be
involved in hosting international students.
Be prepared to make some adjustments for your student’s needs. Food and warmth are the two most
important factors in helping students adjust. If the student is happy with the food, and warm enough,
many other problems are avoided.
Please do not loan your student any money, even though it may not be a large amount. If your student
has no cash or there appears to be a problem for them accessing funds, please contact the Homestay
Manager as soon as possible. This rule works the other way too, do not ask your student for money.
Establishing a routine and encouraging plenty of rest can help students to recover from jet lag and
culture shock more quickly. Talk to your student, take an interest in their school life, even if they can’t
understand you very well. Keep trying!
Some communication methods are very different, particularly with students from some Asian countries,
eg. YES acknowledges that they have heard you – it does not necessarily mean that they agree with you.
A SMILE can also mean covering embarrassment - a polite way to hide emotion. Saying SORRY does not
always mean that. It could be that they just want this uncomfortable situation to end. Saying nothing or
not understanding may be the same as above, or guilt.
If you are watching TV, try to involve the student in some way, explaining what you are watching, asking if
they understand, asking their opinions for example. Please feel free to help students with their homework.
The process of talking to you about their homework will help their listening and speaking skills.
Some of our students request homestays with young children. However, please be careful that your
student does not feel as if he/she is a babysitter.
Remember they are teenagers, so some wear and tear on household items is to be expected. If you
have expensive furniture items for your student’s use, please cover surfaces to avoid damage. Make
your expectations very clear in other areas of your home.
With longer term students, identify their major interests, as you may need to assist them to buy a bike, or
join a sports or cultural club etc. We would not recommend you lend your bike to your student.
It is a nice touch to note when your student’s
birthday is. If you mark it in some way, the student
will appreciate it, and feel part of the family.
Nothing elaborate is needed, perhaps a birthday
cake.
Ask about your student’s culture. It will be good
practice for the student, but will also help you to
understand them and their needs. Use a world atlas
and find out exactly where they live in their country.
Remember that while you may have had many students in your home, this will almost certainly be
the student’s first experience in a NZ homestay. Show as much interest as possible. Students are
sensitive about host families appearing ‘tired’ of hosting.
HOSTING GUIDE
Home Times during School Term The rules are – Monday to Thursday and Sunday
students should be home with their host family by
6.00pm and not go out for the rest of the evening.
There may be some occasions where this is not
applicable, for example, sports training, music lessons
etc.
Dinner is always a good time for the student to get to
know your family and practice their English skills!
At dinner you can talk about:
The student’s day at school
Your day at work
Any homework or assessments they may have
News from the student’s home country
The weather and the television news that night
The food/cooking
Help them with new words / vocabulary – it is
sometimes fun to learn some new words each
night.
Encourage your student to feel like a part of the family
by getting them to help with chores – this doesn’t have
to be a big thing, perhaps just clearing the table or
loading the dishwasher. Some students will be used to
helping at home and some may not. You may also
need to teach them how to say “Please and Thank
you”. Often hosts are upset when the students don’t
say this and it’s generally a cultural misunderstanding
as the students don’t realise the importance we place
on this in New Zealand. We do explain this to the
students at Orientation – but they may need
reminding.
After dinner, sometimes the students go to their rooms
and spend time on the internet, contacting their
families and doing homework. Although they do need
some time to be in their rooms, we encourage you to
get them out and doing things with your family as
much as possible – even if it is just watching TV or a
movie or playing games. This is really helpful for their
English and makes them feel part of your family.
Weekends - Going out One of the most important roles you have as a host
family is the safety of your student while they are in
New Zealand. For this reason we have strict guidelines
about what information you need from your students
when they are out in the evenings or staying over at a
friend’s house.
If your student is going out please ensure:
They understand they must ASK for your
permission first.
They must give you the phone numbers and
address of where they will be (if it is a friend’s
house) or the place they will be e.g. movies at
Northlands.
You must discuss with them how they will get
there and back home.
You need to give them a specific time to be
home, especially if there are other teenagers in
the house who have the same house rules.
They must take their cellphone and remind
them it must be switched on and charged.
It is a good idea for the student to have some
cash in their wallet so they can get an
Uber/taxi home if they need to.
Make sure the student is home at the arranged
time.
Encourage your student to – BE SAFE and be
RESPECTFUL of you and your house rules.
If they have planned to go to a friend’s house
for a sleep over you must contact that parent
or host to confirm the arrangement.
In the interests of safety we ask that you
discourage students from going out and
coming home alone at night. Encourage them
to travel with friends and share an Uber/taxi if
need be.
Discourage students from catching the bus
home from the city after dark. It is not safe!
These students are young and should be
treated as such. We are responsible for their
safety.
Encourage students to ring you immediately if
they are lost or need help.
Important - Alcohol in New Zealand The legal age for drinking alcohol in New Zealand is
18. International Students are not allowed to drink
alcohol or take drugs whilst they are in New Zealand
studying at Burnside High School. In some countries
teenagers are allowed to drink beer or wine at home
with their families when they are over the age of 16,
but in New Zealand this is not allowed. It is against the
law for adults to give alcohol to under 18 year old
International students.
Students Travelling in Cars Please be vigilant about international students travelling
in cars with other young people. Drivers must have a full
licence and we do not encourage students being
driven by other teenagers. Car trips outside of
Christchurch with a student driver is not allowed.
International students at Burnside High School are not
allowed to own or drive cars. Exceptions to this rule can
only be made by the International Student Director and
after permission is obtained from the student’s family.
HOSTING GUIDE
Counsellors If your students would like to discuss any matter
or problem in their own language, please
contact us. The International staff will be able
to refer the problem to an appropriate person
or Counsellor and arrange an interpreter if that
is necessary.
First Day Instructions On the first day at school, it is most important you
show them how to get to school and home again.
This may mean travelling in the bus with them,
walking with them or driving them. Where
appropriate arrange to buy a concession bus
ticket. Please make sure your student is confident
getting to school and home. Please do not assume
your student understands if they nod their head. A
hand drawn map is a good idea, even for those
taking the bus. Remember it is frightening for your
student to be in a place where they cannot
communicate their needs. The International Dept
Emergency card is issued to students on the first
day and their Student ID/CANDO card is issued 2-3
weeks later. Putting the time in with your student
initially will mean that problems will be minimised in
the future.
The school uniform is bought at the Uniform shop on
the first day of Orientation. Please make your
student aware credit cards are not accepted in
the Uniform shop but Debit card and Cash are.
Departures It is important to assist your student with flight
departure details. Many students do tend to
accumulate a lot of possessions during their time in
New Zealand. Please encourage them to start sorting
through their belongings at the start of Term 4 to avoid
a quick departure with gear being left in your home to
dispose of. The transport company, DHL will supply
cartons and pick up the goods, saving you a lot of
time. Their costs are very competitive and certainly
cheaper than excess luggage rates at the airport.
If your student has to board a domestic flight to
another New Zealand airport please try and ensure
that their luggage is able to be checked through to
International at the appropriate airport. If your student
has an international flight direct from Christchurch,
please be sure to have enough time for checking in
and farewells. At all times, should you be unable to
take your student to the airport, please let the
Homestay Manager know in plenty of time.
Change in circumstances If there is a change in your family – children leave
home, other family members or boarders arrive, family
pets arrive etc it is important that you let us know as we
need to discuss it with the student and their agent /
family. It can be very embarrassing if things change
and we are not aware of it. We are always more than
happy to hear from you!
If I am going away overnight – what should I do?
It is the school policy that international students
are not to be left unsupervised overnight.
Contact me at the International Office on 358-
8383 Ext 806
We will discuss the options for care of your
student while you are away.
If you are going away for a short time and are
able to get a friend or family member to stay at
your house with the student – that is acceptable
but please contact the Homestay Manager so
we can complete the correct documentation.
Student Travel Students are not allowed to travel overnight
unsupervised. For ANY travel, students must complete a
“Green Holiday Information Form” which is signed by
their natural parents and hosts. Please contact us if your
student is making travel plans of any sort.
If you would like to travel and take your student with
you – that is also fine, but once again, please contact
the Homestay Manager so we are aware of where the
student will be. We will also need to inform their parents
of the planned travel.
What do we do if the student is late home? Try to contact the student via their cellphone.
Check they are safe and the reason why they are
late and reinforce that they must come home
immediately.
If you cannot contact your student or the friends
they are with and they are over an hour late,
please ring the after hours number for international:
021 891 025. We will help you to locate the student.
What if the student breaks our house rules? It is important to realise that teenagers will push
boundaries and sometimes rules will be broken.
Please treat your student as you would your own
teenager:
Talk to them about the problem
Reinforce the rule and your expectations
Check the student understands
If necessary, give a punishment such as an
earlier curfew or grounding
Contact the school if you need help or
advice, we will support you fully
HOSTING GUIDE
Responsibilities of Students Make it clear that your student is responsible for:
Tidiness of his/her room. Remember they
are young teenagers and are probably as
keen and as able as all our teenagers. Be
realistic about expectations
Security – locking up and closing windows
is everyone’s responsibility
Punctuality for meals
Safe use of all appliances
Communication: telling you where they
are going.
Respecting the school rules that smoking
and drinking alcohol are not allowed.
Visits from friends. Make your policy clear
on student’s right to bring others to your
home and whether to ask first. Some have
a tendency to just turn up with friends
which can be alarming for the other host
family who are missing their student.
In the Student’s Homestay Guide on the last page
you can write down your family guidelines and
expectations with the student. It helps to talk about
these and be open about your expectations, curfews
and rules.
What happens when things don’t work out? Despite the best efforts of everybody, sometimes a
hosting arrangement doesn’t work out. This could be
for any number of reasons and generally we will try
to resolve any issues before they become too large.
For this reason it is best if you contact us if you are
having issues with your student as soon as possible
before the relationship breaks down.
Very rarely mediation doesn’t work and we need to
move a student. A host family that works for one
student doesn’t always work out for another. If we
do need to move your student for any reason, Helen
will contact you to discuss what has happened and
we will give you a week’s notice where possible.
Sometimes both the host and the student are happy
for the move to be immediate.
Guardians Sometimes students will have a guardian. This is not a
requirement of Burnside High School but many
families like to appoint a guardian to help their child
while they are in New Zealand. Guardians usually
speak the student’s language and are paid by the
family.
If your student has a guardian you can expect them
to help with some of the things you might usually do –
like buying uniforms, picking up from the airport and
opening bank accounts. Guardians will also expect
to visit you and the student. However, they should not
interfere with the rules and expectations you have for
your student in the home. Most of the guardians are
very good and will respect this, but if there is a
problem please contact us to help you.
Guardians may wish to take the student out – this is
fine, but they should always contact you regarding
the arrangements.
HOSTING GUIDE
Homestay Payments The Homestay payment is for full board, which includes:
breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks from Monday to Sunday
school lunches
meals and snacks during school holidays
laundry
and all requirements as listed under requirements from host families. The cost of the homestay
accommodation is $294.00 per week. Payment is made by direct credit to your bank account on a weekly
basis. This fee incorporates the internet. It will be our expectation that all hosts would have unlimited internet
by January 2020.
If the student goes away in the Term 1, 2 or 3 holidays, they must have handed in a green holiday form to the
International Department. The homestay payment will continue as usual.
If the student is going home over the November-January break and they want to store their belongings at
the homestay, a payment of one extra week ($294) will be paid into your account as an extra fee to cover
storage costs. Your payments will resume when your student(s) return to your home.
Occasionally a student insists on a change of homestay family, in which case we are required to take action
and shift the student. Where possible we will try and give reasonable notice to both parties.
It is a good idea to check the amount that is going into your bank account especially when you first have a
student placed with you. If there are any issues with payment please let us know as soon as possible.
HOSTING GUIDE
Communication
The School MOODLE site should be your first point of contact:
http://learn.burnside.school.nz/
The school facebook site:
https://www.facebook.com/burnsidehighschool
News from the International Department will be via email/hail.
Please ring us (358-8383 Ext 806) if you have any questions or
concerns or you can call into the International office at school
between 8.00am and 3.30pm.
Host family Guidelines
Some of these questions appear in the Student’s Guide which they might have already read but it is a good idea to complete
this page with your student in their Guide Book which they receive in a green pack on the first Orientation Day.
Must be home Weeknights: Monday to Thursday and Sunday at 6.00pm and in for the night, unless student(s) have
joined a sports club or music group etc.
Curfew times during the Weekend:
Friday: Saturday:
Household responsibilities expected of your student:
Family guidelines and expectations:
HOSTING GUIDE
*Pastoral Care of International Students
Code of Practice 2016
When living with a Residential Caregiver:
A declaration from residential caregivers that their home meets all relevant legislative requirements can be used as evidence that living conditions are deemed safe. A home visit will also offer evidence of living conditions in relation to: • location • standard of bathroom and other facilities • level of safety and security • standard of cleanliness • temperature and heating • good quality bedroom furniture • appropriate linen and bedding • desk and chair • provisions for emergencies, e.g. first aid supplies, smoke alarms - whether the physical and emotional environment is safe for the student • number and age of students and other residents living in the house. Safety Checks:
It is very important to ensure the safety of international students when selecting accommodation. Students may be staying in accommodation for an extended period, for a short period or in temporary accommodation, alone or with other students. Schools are required to complete an ‘appropriate safety check for a residential caregiver’. It is expected that a police vet or criminal history check is completed for all adults residing in a homestay who are 18 years of age and over. As well as a police vet or criminal check, the following checks can be included to ensure an appropriate safety check is undertaken: • Confirmation of identity, e.g. sighting passport or driver’s license • Home visit • Character references • Interviews with host family members. All information obtained during the safety checking process is confidential. Schools are required to have processes in place to protect the privacy of participants, including any information obtained through the criminal history check or police vetting process. Home visits:
Home visits are an important strategy to collect information about the quality of residential care. Schools should visit student accommodation at planned intervals and on a regular basis during the student’s stay. The number of visits to a residential caregiver should be sufficient to ensure the quality care provided is of an acceptable standard. The residential carers should be advised in advance that the visit will be taking place. Some residential caregivers may need more visits than others, for example it may be appropriate to visit early in a students’ stay and then again some weeks later to review the placement. It can be useful to visit the accommodation while the student is present to gauge the interactions between the student and the residential caregivers. These visits need to be documented and records kept. Effective communication
Schools are required to have procedures for ongoing checking of the residential caregiver and the accommodation to ensure the safety and well-being of the student. It is important to keep written records of monitoring and issues in order to maintain effective communication with families. The school should attempt to mediate and resolve any issues as they arise and keep families informed of progress. Expectations in relation to accommodation can be clearly set out in written contracts, accommodation agreements and codes of conduct for students.
Continued over page
HOSTING GUIDE
Student interviews
Student interviews are an important strategy to gather information about the well-being and care of international students. All students should be interviewed on a planned, regular basis to ascertain they are safe, their accommodation is appropriate and their academic, social and emotional needs are being met. The number of student interviews should be sufficient to ensure international staff are informed and up-to-date with information about international student well-being and care. All interviews should be documented and records kept. During student interviews, it is helpful to ask open-ended questions that allow students to describe how they feel generally about their living conditions. Questions might include, asking about activities they undertake with their residential carer, food, family routines, people in the home, bedroom and facilities, any issues arising out of their living situation. Schools should have a documented process in place to follow up from student interviews if necessary. Problems discovered during an interview should be referred to the appropriate person. Serious concerns should be followed up immediately.
PO Box 29677
Christchurch 8540
New Zealand
Phone: 0064 3 358 8383
International Emergency Cellphone (24 hours): 021 891 025
Email: [email protected]
Helen Fitzsimmons: 358 8383 Ext 806