Farm Cove Intermediate School International Students

Debbie Ellerydebbiee@farmcove.school.nz

Key influences on our international student

programme

Building positive relationships with our providers Thoughtful consideration and gradual widening of

cultural groups and sister school relationships Good communication between home and school A mixture of weekly and annual reporting Shared travel opportunities Ambassador programme Following a clear strategic and marketing plan Support in-class programmes Provide opportunities for school-wide responsibilities

and involvement

Main goal – positive experience

Good communication with home – weekly reporting plus visit to have parent interviews once a year and meet possible enrolments for following year

Continue to build on Ambassador programme – find new ways that the Ambassadors can support international students in the classroom and with student learning

Up-to-date pastoral care and regular checking on homestay situations

Homestay meetings and gatherings throughout the year A clear learning pathway so students can feel they are making

progress and are able to talk about the steps they have made. Use of devices and programmes – school bank of IPad/ netbooks etc Certificates/awards – recognise achievement Provide students with opportunities for responsibility Ensure students have opportunities to be involved in the wider school

Building positive attitudes across the school

Develop teacher expertise - PLG on ELLP’s Keep policies up-to-date and ensure systems support the

classroom teachers Develop existing sister school relations – short-term visits

by them and to Korea and Japan Explore possibility of Confucius classroom to support in

learning second language – use of Mandarin Language Assistant/TA

Visit Luoyang school and explore opportunities for growing relationship with China

Rotate opportunities for staff to experience Asian cultures through travel

Continue to explore what other schools do and how we can improve on our practice

Farm Cove Intermediate

Ambassador Programme

Asia New Zealand Conference

Buddy System

Peer Support Programmes

Ambassador Programme

Selection of Ambassadors

The process Multi - tiered Selection process

Key characteristics Final cut

Key traits for ambassadors

Reliability Empathy Personal Organisation Kindness Maturity Co-operation Sociability Confidence Communication skills

What does the Ambassador programme look like?

Guidelines outline the first week in more detail for teachers and students.

Arrival/Day One

When an international student arrives in your area with the ESOL teacher you need to…• Stop class work immediately and go over to the teacher bringing in the new student to the area.• Meet and greet the international student with kindness and confidence.• Show the new student where to hang their bag and the toilets.• Escort the student into your class.• Show the student to their desk and introduce to a buddy at their table.• Take the student on a second tour of the school.

You must be on hand to support the student in the following ways…

•Following instructions•Checking the student understands the class work•Making sure the student is where he/she needs to be at the right times•Helping the student to understand and speak basic English school and teaching them playground phrases•Remain with the student during morning tea and lunch break and introduce them to your friends•Escort child to an adult for going home (eg Shelton bus/ caregiver)

Remainder of week oneEach day, meet and greet the student to ensure the student feels welcome. Continue to assist the student in the classroom as required.At breaks, check the student has:•Morning tea/lunch•Friends to play with (if the student has no friends you must• ensure you stay with the student) 

 

Following weeks

Once the international student has gained some confidence and has some friends to play with… •Attend all Ambassador meetings.•Check the student is getting involved in events around the school, if not, assist them to get involved.•Continue to support them to learn English.•Encourage them to mix with students from a variety of cultures.•Check that the student has no problems inside and outside of school. Report to Mrs Withers immediately if there are any issues that need resolving.•Support the international students in getting involved in the wider school.•Keep your buddy’s personal report up-to-date through regular interviewing (especially after big school events).•Keep Ambassador record up-to-date.

Regular meetings

Organising special events Writing reports Support in the classroom

Supporting learning

Trips for short-term visitors Support during special events

Tracking involvement

Supporting with pastoral care

Tracking notes - diary or log

Reporting any issues to teacher

How do the students get credibility?

Badge wearers – high degree of trust and responsibility

Leadership skills developed Other students aspire to be

ambassadors