Special Features
International Student Support
All International students come under the pastoral care of the Director of International Students. The Director is available at all times for enquiries, advice or support; parents and students are welcome to make contact at any time.
Housemasters of boarding and day houses are also available for assistance and contact is welcomed and encouraged
Accommodation
Students generally live in a home stay situation in the Hamilton community and will attend the School as a day student. Boarding positions are sometimes available. Should a student take up an offer to board he/she will live on campus in one of the four boarding houses. However, during the holidays and leave weekends all boarding students require alternative accommodation.
English language requirement
All students need to have a basic understanding of English. Students in Years 11 to 13 need to be able to work at approximately the intermediate level or higher. English As A Second Language (ESOL) support and tuition is available at all levels for those who need it.
Academic programmes
The New Zealand secondary school academic year starts at the end of January and goes through until early December. It is preferred that students in Year 11 to Year 13 attend school from the beginning of the academic year, but Year 9 and Year 10 are welcome to start throughout the year.
The academic programme aims to provide a broad education and the individual talents and abilities of each student is recognized and developed. Teaching encourages the development of sound personal study habits and concentrates on the acquisition of academic knowledge and skill.
Junior students study a core programme of compulsory subjects with options that include studying another language. Senior students have a range of subjects to choose from that prepare them for future studies at tertiary level.
Guardianship and Care of International Students
Each international student needs someone who will oversee their education and provide homestay accommodation when the school is closed. Some students have friends or family who live in New Zealand who are able to provide this care. The school can also arrange homestays if necessary.
Tihoi Venture School
All Year 10 students spend half their school year at Tihoi Venture School near Lake Taupo where they continue with their academic programme and, as well, experience an ‘outward-bound type’ education. Tihoi Venture School makes use of the many natural features surrounding the school. The forest is used for tramping, biology and bush craft; the nearby mountains for mountain craft including snow caving if the weather is appropriate and Lake Taupo is used for sailing and canoeing. There are also facilities for kayaking, rock-climbing and a high ropes course. The boys learn to appreciate the greatness of the New Zealand outdoors and learn to live in harmony with others. But most of all, they get to know who they are as individuals.
Music and Drama
We are particularly proud of our thriving music and drama departments. We have an excellent reputation for drama productions which range from major musicals and performances to the less formal but equally dramatic Stage Challenge.
Extra-curricular programmes
St Paul’s offers its students the opportunity to participate in an extensive sporting and cultural programme which includes all the conventional sports and cultural activities plus a range of less traditional sporting, cultural and social activities.
Christian dimension
Christianity plays an important role in life at St Paul’s. Spiritual activities are based on the Anglican ethos. However, we celebrate diversity within our school community and members of all denominations and religions are welcome.