The school arranges homestay accommodation for the student. A wide variety of opportunities to stay on farms or in the local township are available. All accommodation is inspected by the school which keeps regular contact with the families. Homestay costs are $195 per week. Homestay parents are vetted by Police to ensure the safety of our students.

Homestay Expectations of International Students

Otamatea High School expects you to do your best to fit into NZ life. To attend school, show respect to your host family, and obey the house rules.

Some of the house rules are:

• You will make your own bed daily, and keep your room neat and tidy
• You will put out the laundry that need to be washed in the correct place for washing daily and help with the washing if requested
• You will help with household chores as requested or assigned
• You will not damage the walls with sticky tape or blue tac
• You will not colour your hair in the bathrooms or bedrooms
• You will shower every day and change clothes daily too.
• You must not be in the shower for longer than 5 minutes.
• You must ask permission to use the phone and note the calls made in the books provided.
• You are responsible for paying your host family the cost of any telephone connections made especially for you, internet connection and call costs
• You must at all times make sure your host family knows where you are and with whom. Even if you leaving the house for a short time leave a note or inform them. Keep their phone number on you so you can call should the need arise. If you have a cellphone make sure your host parents have your number
• If you will be late for a meal or will not be joining the family let them know at least the night before. Do not phone just before dinner to let them know
• If you wish to have friends over make sure you have discussed this with the Host parents at least 24 hours ahead of time. A board maybe payable by your friend.
• No cooking or eating after 9.00pm. All food must be eaten in the main rooms not in the bedrooms. If you need to store some food items ask for a space in the kitchen cupboard.
• You must turn off the light when you leave the room or go to bed. If you need a light on during the night buy yourself a nightlight
• You must not smoke or drink alcohol while enrolled at Otamatea High School. Only exceptions that are if you are dinning with your host parents they may allow you to consume alcohol as they see fit.
• If you are leaving town without your host parents you need to provide the Name, Address, and contact details of the person you are visiting to the Dean at least 2 days before you plan to leave. You will not be allowed to go if the Dean does not approve or does not have these details. If you go without approval you will be grounded.
• You must be in bed and asleep by 11.00pm everyday. Exceptions maybe made for Fridays and Saturdays. Do not sleep after school, as this will spoil your sleeping pattern. An half hour rest is ok.
• You will be required to attend school every day. If you are sick the school requires notification either by a phone call to the Dean or Whanau teacher or a note to the Whanau teacher.
• If you wish to leave school at lunchtime for any reason you must ask the host parent to write you a note as to the reason. You will take the note to the office and get a pass before you can leave school. You must remember to sign out in the sign out book at the main office before leaving school between 8.30am and 3.25pm – if returning please sign back in again.
• You must do your homework and study your work –THAT IS WHY YOU ARE HERE!
• You must give two weeks advance notice to the homestay and also notify the DEAN if you will not be at your homestay for a week or more. A default payment of two weeks will apply otherwise
• All money refunded by the school will need refund notification from the person who paid the money in the first place.
• You must respect your host parents they are not your servants but people who are willing to care for you and give you a Kiwi experience
• You are welcome to discuss any problems that arise with either your homestay or in school with your Dean. This is the only way we can help you.

Where to go if you encounter a problem

• The Dean of International students (After hours phone: 09 4229037 or 09 4317037)
• Your Whanau Teacher
• Your host parents
• Your friends
• Asian Student Services Phone: 09 4868347
• Chinese lifeline Phone: 09 522 2088 Mon – Fri 10.00 am to 2.00pm or Mon – Thur 7.00pm to 10.00pm
• Your school counsellor
• The school nurse or doctor