Schools and Language Institutions are in charge of students’ progress and welfare. They have a designated staff member/s whose full time role is to look after international students. They do regular check-ups with the students and ensure that they are happy at school and with the home-stay family.
Each school and Language Institution also has a 24/7 emergency line that International Fee Paying students can ring if they require any assistance.
The school or Language Institution arranges family changes if this is required. AFSNZ has chosen carefully the schools that we work with to ensure they provide excellent support and their values are in line with those of AFS.
The main difference in support in comparison to the traditional AFS programme is that the "main" support issues (i.e. illness, having to change host family, home-sickness, adaptation issues, etc.) are managed by the school, not volunteers. The role of AFS is more that of ensuring the school is overseeing student’s welfare, happiness and progress. The combined support from school and AFS National Office overview generate a strong support system. The school liaises with AFS if they come across any issues and vice versa and AFS will liaise with the partner and natural family. For this reason AFS NZL does not provide any monthly contact reports through the support module. School reports can be sent to partners if requested.
Each school and Language Institution also has a 24/7 emergency line that International Fee Paying students can ring if they require any assistance.
The school or Language Institution arranges family changes if this is required. AFSNZ has chosen carefully the schools that we work with to ensure they provide excellent support and their values are in line with those of AFS.
The main difference in support in comparison to the traditional AFS programme is that the "main" support issues (i.e. illness, having to change host family, home-sickness, adaptation issues, etc.) are managed by the school, not volunteers. The role of AFS is more that of ensuring the school is overseeing student’s welfare, happiness and progress. The combined support from school and AFS National Office overview generate a strong support system. The school liaises with AFS if they come across any issues and vice versa and AFS will liaise with the partner and natural family. For this reason AFS NZL does not provide any monthly contact reports through the support module. School reports can be sent to partners if requested.
Code of Practice for the Care of International Students
The New Zealand Ministry of Education has set out some clear standards for all organizations that deal with international students to ensure they are well informed, safe and well cared for.
The code applies to all New Zealand education providers, including Secondary Schools, with international students enrolled. The Code is mandatory to these providers and must be signed by them. The schools AFS NZ has selected for this programme are all code compliant and registered.
The Code sets standards for educational providers to ensure that:
Full details of what is covered can be found here.
The code applies to all New Zealand education providers, including Secondary Schools, with international students enrolled. The Code is mandatory to these providers and must be signed by them. The schools AFS NZ has selected for this programme are all code compliant and registered.
The Code sets standards for educational providers to ensure that:
- all providers must provide for the care and welfare of students
- high professional standards are maintained
- the recruitment of international students is undertaken in an ethical and responsible manner
- information supplied to international students is comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date
- students are provided with information prior to entering into any commitments
- contractual dealings with international students are conducted in an ethical and responsible manner
- the particular needs of international students are recognized
- international students under the age of 18 are in safe accommodation
- all providers have fair and equitable internal procedures for the resolution of international student grievances
Full details of what is covered can be found here.
Programme Rules
While in New Zealand, Schools, and not AFS, have the legal responsibility and duty of care for students’ safety and well being.
As part of the enrollment process with the school the student and family must sign an agreement with the school to obey the school and the home-stay rules.
As well as complying with school rules students must follow New Zealand law and home-stay family rules. Failure to do so may result in the school deciding to return a student home.
Rules vary from school to school so make sure you review these in each of the different school sections. While AFS might be consulted in the process of evaluating a student's ER the final decision about such matters remains with the school.
While in New Zealand, Schools, and not AFS, have the legal responsibility and duty of care for students’ safety and well being.
As part of the enrollment process with the school the student and family must sign an agreement with the school to obey the school and the home-stay rules.
As well as complying with school rules students must follow New Zealand law and home-stay family rules. Failure to do so may result in the school deciding to return a student home.
Rules vary from school to school so make sure you review these in each of the different school sections. While AFS might be consulted in the process of evaluating a student's ER the final decision about such matters remains with the school.
Student Travel
Global Choice participants are very likely to want to see as many areas of NZ as possible whilst they are here. Unlike with our traditional AFS programmes, if a GC student wishes to partake in any form of travel they must inform, negotiate and organize directly with their school or institution. It is the school or language institution who must agree on whether the student should be allowed to travel or not, as students will remain under the pastoral care of the school during their travels.
We have an agreement in place with schools and institutions that if a student has been granted permission to travel the school will inform AFS so that the student's records can be kept up to date and AFS NZ knows where they are.
Similarly, if the student’s natural parents or home-country friends wish to visit them, the student should discuss this situation with school and then inform AFS NZ of the agreed arrangements.
Information about travel and permissions will be clearly communicated to students during school and AFS orientation.
Additional, Important Information
We have an agreement in place with schools and institutions that if a student has been granted permission to travel the school will inform AFS so that the student's records can be kept up to date and AFS NZ knows where they are.
Similarly, if the student’s natural parents or home-country friends wish to visit them, the student should discuss this situation with school and then inform AFS NZ of the agreed arrangements.
Information about travel and permissions will be clearly communicated to students during school and AFS orientation.
Additional, Important Information
- It is NOT the role of AFS volunteers to organize travel waivers or any travel arrangements. If a GC student informs a volunteer of their intention to travel the volunteer must refer them to the school.
- GC students do not need a high risk activity waiver. If their insurance covers students for high risk activities which are forbidden to traditional AFS students (i.e. traveling in a private aircraft, skydiving, vehicle racing, activities using guns), and their schools allow them to do them, GC students will be allowed to partake in these activities.