Orientation Programme

On arrival at Otamatea High School you will be met at the office by a member of the Management team. They will introduce you to your Form class and arrange a "Buddy" student. The "Buddy" student will in turn introduce you to your subject teachers.

Support services

Apart from your Vertical Form Teacher, who will look after administrational and pastoral needs, the school also has a Guidance Counsellor and a Public Health Nurse who you can visit and talk to if the need arises.

Grievance Procedure

INTRODUCTION

When complaints arise they need to be dealt with in a fair, efficient manner following an established criteria. For the purposes of this policy "complaint' are defined as being statements which express concern of some matter.


OBJECTIVES

1. All complaints whether they be verbal or written need to be addresses within 24 hours.
2. Complaints are to be stated in specific terms
3. Complaints will be dealt with in accordance to provisions in the award contract

PROCEDURE

The following are the procedure which will be followed as in step

1: International Student - Subject Teacher

Steps:

1. 1 to 1 - discuss complaint directly with concerned teacher
2. involved student with representation usually Guidance Counsellor or Vertical Form Teacher with Principal as mediator
3. Involved student and NZ caregiver with representation usually Guidance Counsellor or Vertical form teacher with Principal and Board Chair.

NOTE: For Step C. the complaint must be in writing and reffered to the Board of Trustees Chair.

2. International Student - Student

Step:

a. International student should report incident to Vertical Form Teacher, who will instigate the appropriate procedures to deal with the conflict.

3. International Student - homestay

Step :

a. International student should report concerns to the person in charge of International Students who will investigate and report to the Principal suggesting appropriate action.

This could include changing Homestay arrangements.

Reference: Otamatea High School 'Safe environment Policy': Policy 5 section 1.

Final Note : If you still feel your problems have not been solved, you may contact the International Education Appeal Authority, whose address is:

International Education Appeal Authority
Level 1
86 Custom House Quay
Private Bag 32001
Panama Street
Wellington
New Zealand

PHONE: (64 4) 462 6660
FAX: (64 4) 462 6686
EMAIL:  ieaa@justice.govt.nz
WEBSITE:  www.minedu.govt.nz

You must be able to show them that you have tried to get the school to act before you contact them.

They will consult the school to see if anything can be done to help you.

If you do have a problem please ask for help while it is still a little problem. Do not wait for it to become a big problem. If you are not confident that your English is good enough you can always bring a friend who has better English.

We hope your stay here will be a happy one.


Withdrawal from courses

If you would like to change courses you must first have your parents or New Zealand caregivers permission in writing. This must be given to the Deputy Principal so that he can proceed with the course change. You are unable to withdraw from a course of study unless you have the express permission of the Deputy Principal.

If you wish to withdraw from the school, you must, once again, have your parents or New Zealand caregivers permission in writting and they must come to the school to make the necessary arrangements to transfer to another school or go back to your home country. The school will notify the appropriate authorities of your withdrawal.

Information on refund of course fees and/or Homestay fees maybe applicable to you.

Medical Services

The Doctor visits the school once a week and a dentist is available at times also. Please make an appointment at the office to visit them when the need arises.