Stars luring overseas students to Oxford

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

The lure of the stars is helping bring international students back to North Canterbury.

Oxford Area School is among several schools busy getting their international programmes back in full swing after Covid restrictions.

The school’s observatory was proving to be a major drawcard.
German students Lana Hoehn, 15, and Mike Schuck, 16, said they could not wait to visit the observatory.

‘‘I read about the observatory in the brochure, so it was one of the selling points for me,’’ Mike said.

Attending high school in Hanau, a small city near Frankfurt, Mike said he was keen to experience life at a rural school.

‘‘I wanted to get close to nature, so outdoor education was a big part of why I chose to come here.’’

While Mike will spend two terms at Oxford, Lana’s visit was just four weeks.

It meant stargazing opportunities were limited, with the observatory’s winter programme not due to start until April.

But principal Mike Hart suggested some solar observing (of the sun) could be arranged before Lana returned to Germany.

Lana said she was enjoying the laid back lifestyle in Oxford.

‘‘New Zealand is beautiful, the people are so friendly and the school system is good here.’’

Lana and Mike said they were impressed with the variety of subject choices and the ‘‘friendly teachers’’.

Lana comes from Ansbach, a rural town in Bavaria.

Mr Hart said the school was pleased to have its international programme back in full swing after hosting a group of eight students from rural Brazil on a short stay in term three last year.

Six international students have started the school year at Oxford, including four from Japan.

Enquiries continued to be strong and he was confident the school would return to having up to 20 international visitors.

Group visits were also confirmed from Thailand next month and Japan in June.

‘‘The Thai group will be immersed into our classes, experience kapa haka and visit the observatory,’’ Hart said.

An astronomy programme was being arranged for the Japanese group’s two week stay.

Local schools were keen to hear from prospective homestay families.

■ Rangiora High School relaunched its international programme last year, with 15 students arriving in term three.

Principal Bruce Kearney said a new international director had been appointed and 30 students from Japan and Europe had started the new school year at Rangiora.

A major drawcard was the equestrian programme run by Comcol North Canterbury.

Kearney said schools had learned, from the Covid period, not to rely on the income from international students to fund teaching resources.

Proceeds would go into ‘‘nice to haves’’ such as new musical equipment, he said.

Rangiora New Life School has begun the year with six international students from Japan and Germany.

Principal Stephen Walters said he hoped group visits would return next year.

Kaiapoi High School principal Jason Reid said his school was slowly rebuilding its international programme and reconnecting with overseas contacts.

A group visit from Japan was planned later in the year.

Kaikōura High School hosted Chinese students prior to Covid, but principal John Tait said there were no international students at present.

*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air