Students are welcomed at Nelson Central School from countries throughout the world. You may apply to Nelson Central School if you:

• want to study for at least three weeks or more
• want to learn English in an immersion environment
• want to experience a New Zealand primary school and the New Zealand way of life

On application you are asked to supply:

• A completed application form
• A photo of yourself
• A statement written by you about why you wish to study at Nelson Central.
• Copies of your school reports
• Two character (personal) references
• $250.00 application fee

To be successful in your application you are expected to have a satisfactory academic record and good standards of behaviour and effort at school. Your English language skills will be assessed when you arrive, and you will be helped to improve those while learning the school curriculum. Each application is individually considered. Once you are accepted you will need to do the following:

• write a letter to the school confirming your acceptance
• complete a home stay accommodation form if your require accommodation
• complete a medical insurance form (which we can send to you if required)
• read and sign the student contract

Before you apply for a position at Nelson Central School please discuss these issues with your family:

• You cannot own or drive a motor vehicle. This is for your own safety.
• The legal drinking age is 18 years old in New Zealand. If you choose to study at Nelson Central School you cannot drink alcohol.
• You MUST attend school when it is open.
• Smoking is not acceptable in most New Zealand homes.

We welcome your application if you are a good student and want a quality education.

Application fee: $250.00 (non-refundable)
Tuition fees: $8800.00 (includes $900.00 Government Charges)

Additional Expenses

• Medical insurance - Approximately $650.00
• Personal living expenses
• And pocket money - Approximately $1150.00

This does not include your travel costs to and from New Zealand or the cost of any travel you may do in the holidays.
The full tuition and accommodation fees must be received before a place is secured at the school and before you receive NZIS visa approval.
You may pay your fees directly into the school bank account. The details are as follows:

Name of Account: Nelson Central School
Board of Trustees
Name of Bank: WestpacTrust
Branch: Nelson
Address: P O Box 643 Nelson
Account Number: 030703 0481920 001

What do your tuition fees include?

• A 2-day orientation programme
• Tuition
• Being met at Nelson Airport on arrival
• Full use of facilities at school
• Access to the school sick bay
• An International Student Director who will help you deal with any problems you may have
• A friendly, personalised school environment where you will feel welcome.
  

Nelson Central School is a well-equipped school with experience at catering for the learning needs of International Students. It does not have a separate international students department since that role is shared by all staff who are sensitive to the needs of young people and to international students in particular.

Some of the staff who will be available to help you:

Principal : Dr Paul Potaka. Dr Potaka has worked with international students for many years. He has been the President of the Nelson Branch of AFS Intercultural Programmes and has been enrolling international students since 1994. He is also the Director of International Students for the school and liaises with Homestay families.

Deputy Principal : Christine Harrison. Mrs Harrison has worked in the school for many years as a teacher, special education coordinator and reading recovery teacher. Mrs Harrison is the convernor of the school Advisory Group on Special Needs.

ESOL Cordinator : Christine Harrison.

Syndicate Leaders : The School is divided into five sections or syndicates led by Freya Sonneland, Sue McLean, Dianne Thomson and Trina Bennett.

Staff will:

• Meet you at the airport when you arrive.
• Provide an orientation programme for you.
• Provide a full assessment of your language skills after your arrival in New Zealand.
• Prepare an appropriate study programme for you.
• Provide a report each term for you and your parents on your progress at school.
• Provide on going counselling and pastoral care, and refer you to other people and agencies who can assist you, (eg) the ESOL coordinator and the Advisory Group on Special Needs.
• Arrange appropriate accommodation for you, both in term time and during holidays. (See homestay policies.)
• Facilitate and introduction to the Nelson International Students Association (which includes students from other Nelson Schools). NISA offers a variety of cultural, social and sporting events during the year, and gives you the opportunity to meet with other students from different countries.
• Open up a bank account for you and help you to buy your school uniform.
  

STEP 1

Complete the application forms for tuition and accommodation (boarding or homestay) and send them with:

• Copies of school reports
• Two character (personal) references
• A handwritten statement by you about why you wish to study at Nelson Central School
• A passport photo
• $250.00(NZ) application fee.
  

STEP 2

If your application is successful you will receive:

• A letter of acceptance from the school
• An invoice for tuition and accommodation fees and living expenses.
  

STEP 3

Write to us, confirming acceptance of the place offered.
Send the first year's fees and expenses to our bank.
Send the signed Student Contract Form.

STEP 4

You will receive:

• A letter confirming your place
• Confirmation of offer of place form
• Confirmation of accommodation
• A receipt for fees paid

(These documents are necessary for you to obtain a Student Visa)

STEP 5

Medical Insurance Cover : Medical insurance is compulsory.
Nelson Central organise this through Uni-care, with whom we hold a Master Policy.
This policy has additional cover for protection of fees.
Your policy must be arranged before you leave your home country.

STEP 6

Apply for your Student Visa from your nearest New Zealand High Commission or Embassy.
You will need:

• A completed Application for Student Visa form (with a passport photo).
• A completed financial undertaking form (this may not be necessary if full tuition and accommodation fees have been paid).
• The Student Visa application fee.
• Your passport or Certificate of Identity.
• The offer of place form and receipt for fees paid issued by the school.
• Guarantee of accommodation.
• Two character references if under 17 years of age or a local police clearance if 17 or over.

NB If a course of study is three months or less a Visitors Visa may be sufficient. Please check with the school first.

Courses available for international students.

* Students will take part in courses relevant to their year of schooling. This can be found on the school website under the curriculum link.

Bridging courses and pre-sessional and in-sessional English language programmes.

* Bridging courses and pre-sessional and in-sessional English language programmes are not a requirement of attendance. Such courses can be arranged for an additional cost - market rate at time of application.

Arrangements for the recognition of prior learning.

* Since Nelson Central School is a primary school it is not appropriate for an international student.

Details of credit transfer processes.

* Since Nelson Central School is a primary school this is not appropriate for an international student.

Termination of Enrolment

Circumstances in which the signatory may terminate tuition.

The signatory will consider terminating enrolment where:

• Failure to comply with school rules
  
• There is continual misbehaviour/gross misconduct
  
• A criminal act has been committed
  
• A school can't provide for a student's needs (ie natural disaster/emergency)
  
• The student has been suspended from the school
  
• The information provided at enrolment is false
  
• Immigration requirements are not met
  
• Homestay or school fees are not paid

If enrolment is terminated the school will notify the New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS).