International

Riverhills School welcomes enrolments from International Students.

Course Details

Riverhills School offers a learning programme for students in Years 0-6 (ages 5 -11). International students are placed in classes alongside New Zealand children in the same age group. We have specialist teachers who will assist with tutoring English to non-English speaking students, who enter an ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) programme.


Curriculum

All students will experience a wide curriculum that promotes collaborative learning and problem solving. There is a focus on Literacy and Numeracy, and also excellent access to Physical Education and the Arts. We have a specialist Physical Education teacher who works with each class and runs school-wide sports and fitness programmes.

Extra curricular activities are available to all Year 5 and 6 students. We regularly have groups of students who represent the school in a variety of sports, demonstrating excellent skills and strong teamwork. We also have a school choir, who take part in a combined schools choir as part of the annual music festival at the Auckland Town Hall, and a school ukulele group.


Culture

All cultures are celebrated at Riverhills School. We have two excellent tutors who work with our students to learn NZ Māori songs and dances. The students then perform these at the annual Koanga festival and at other school events.


Code of Practice

Riverhills School has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the Minister of Education. A copy of the code of practice for the pastoral care of international students is available in a range of languages here:

English Arabic Chinese German

Hindi Japanese Korean Portugue

Spanish Thai Vietnamese


Health and Travel Insurance

Students are not entitled to publicly funded health services while in New Zealand unless they are:

  • A resident or citizen of Australia; or
  • A national of the United Kingdom in NZ; or
  • The holder of a temporary permit that is valid for 2 years or more.

If you don’t belong to one of these special categories and you received medical treatment during your visit, you will be liable for the full costs of that treatment. We strongly recommend that you have insurance that will cover the cost of medical treatment in New Zealand for the duration of your stay in New Zealand. We also strongly recommend that you obtain insurance to cover your travel to and from New Zealand.


Immigration

Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at http://www.immigration.govt.nz


Tuition

We charge a tuition fee, which is available upon request. We are able to provide a weekly or termly fee, depending on the length of enrolment. Please contact us to discuss your enrolment and request information about tuition fees.

In addition to the tuition fee, all students must pay for their own stationery and school trips as well as an administration fee and a Ministry of Education levy. All students are required to wear correct school uniform, which costs approximately $250. They must also provide evidence of medical insurance.

All international students attending Riverhills School must have current medical insurance.


Enrolment Procedures

Please email our school office (office@riverhills.school.nz) for an application form. We will email you the form, which you can print and complete it. The international student’s parents should complete the Application for Enrolment form and return it to the school office.

The application is submitted for approval, to International Student Committee from the Board of Trustees, consisting of the Principal and the International Manager.

Once the application has been approved, a Letter of Acceptance of Application, (Offer of Place), together with ‘Current Fee Structure’ form, is forwarded to the student. A Tuition Agreement is signed between the School and the Student’s parents and payment of the fee is made. The amount of the fee is determined by the term of tuition selected. Tuition fees are then paid, and a receipt is issued.

The student can then apply to the Immigration Office for a Student Visa, showing the receipt and Tuition Agreement to support their application. The visa or permit must be endorsed with the name of the school at which the student is seeking to enrol.

Once the appropriate Visa is obtained, the student is in a position to commence studies at Riverhills School on the date agreed to in the Tuition Agreement.

PLEASE NOTE: NO STUDENT CAN COMMENCE STUDIES AT RIVERHILLS SCHOOL WITHOUT ALL RELEVANT DOCUMENTATION.


Conditions of Acceptance

  • Riverhills School accepts International students from Year 0 to Year 6.
  • Parents must be willing to sign the Tuition Agreement and abide by the school’s rules as they apply to all students, including International Students
  • The School reserves the right to place the student in the appropriate year level based on the student’s age and academic competency.
  • Students will only be accepted if there is sufficient space available in the school.
  • All applications require approval from the International Student Committee of the Board of Trustees.

Refund Conditions

  • To be eligible for a refund of the International Fee, an application must be made in writing to the Board of Trustees by the parent or legal guardian of the student stating clearly the reason for withdrawal of the student.
  • If the withdrawal is made prior to the student commencing school, a full refund shall be made, less $300.00 administration fee.
  • There will be no refund if a request to withdraw is made after the student has reached the mid point of his/her contract except in exceptional circumstances, e.g. a Breach of the Fair Trading Act or Consumer’s Guarantee Act.
  • In determining any refund, the Board of Trustees will take into consideration the special circumstances of the withdrawing student and –
    • The costs to the school in providing the tuition
    • Costs incurred in employing staff and providing facilities
    • Payments made to the New Zealand Government.
    • Any other costs already incurred by the school.
  • No refund will be made to a student who;
    • Transfers to another school or educational institution
    • Is asked to leave because of misbehaviour, poor attendance or violation of the contract with the school.
    • Becomes a permanent resident after the 1st of March (in any year) if enrolled in the school prior to the 1st of March.


Fees Protection

The Board will not spend International School Fees until the tuition has been provided.

The Board will always have sufficient reserves to be able to return to students their fees in the event of a student refund being required, or because the school is unable to continue to provide tuition.

This policy is in keeping with the Code of Practice for the Pastoral care of International Students.