International students have been part of our school for many years. We welcome the opportunity to have students from different cultures and believe we provide an excellent learning environment for students from other countries.
In general we offer places to approximately twenty five students. We ensure that each class has an even distribution of students for whom English is their second language.
Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate has agreed to observe and be bound by the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students published by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). Copies of the Code are available from their website LINK.
Kahikatea Kirkwood has programme approval from the Code Administrator to enrol students who have come to New Zealand without a parent. This has been a new requirement for schools enrolling students in Year 7 and Year 8 from 1July 2004.
The International Director, Mrs Alison Xie, is responsible for coordinating the pastoral care of international students. She assists with the pastoral care of international students and communication with parents, agents and caregivers.
ESOL teaching support is available as is first language support and first language counselling where required.
All enrolment enquiries and applications go to the International Director, Mrs Alison Xie. She is available to assist with international enrolments. Her email address is: alisonxie@kirkwood.school.nz. Procedures for enrolment and orientation of students when they first arrive at Kahikatea Kirkwood are contained in the enrolment pack below.
Download an 2026 Kahikatea Kirkwood International Enrolment Form May
A Message from our International Director –
We warmly welcome international students from all over the world and have an excellent reputation for taking good care of them. We actively participate in student exchange programmes and host overseas student groups. We welcome the qualities and strengths which international students bring to Kahikatea Kirkwood.
Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate School is located in the heart of Christchurch and has approximately 300 students in Year 7 and Year 8 (aged 10 to 14). We are a state, co-educational school catering for the diverse needs of children.
We are particularly well resourced, with 9 specialist technology rooms, 13 modern and well appointed classrooms, ESOL classes for ESOL students, a large hall and a well equipped library information centre and up to date computer suite. We have plenty of space and playing fields for our children to enjoy, as well as our own swimming pool and modern, purpose designed adventure playground.
Kahikatea Kirkwood has an international flavour, with children from well over 20 nationalities attending. This provides the opportunity for children to develop skills vital in an increasingly multi cultural country like ours.
We consider international students’ happiness to be the most important factor as this accelerates their English learning hugely. We cooperate closely with homestay families in order to help international students feel happy with their food, bedroom, appropriate furniture, communication with natural parents, homestay family, learning English, dealing with homework and making friends. Thanks to our homestay families, most of our international students enjoy their time in New Zealand. It is great to see how quickly they adapt to Kiwi culture and their new environment.
Kahikatea Kirkwood runs a well designed and organised ESOL programme for international students for their English improvement. It is a comprehensive literacy programme based on listening, speaking, reading and writing in English every day. Students are grouped with similar capabilities in English. The ESOL programme helps international students not only improve their English but understand their classroom learning. The groups vary in size from 3 to 6 students for 45 – 60 minute sessions daily depending on their level.
Kahikatea Kirkwood helps international students improve their reading ability through the Reading Homework Programme. In three or six months following this Reading Homework Programme, international students are able to read English novels.
At Kahikatea Kirkwood we provide an inclusive environment where all children are encouraged to succeed. We make sure that we offer extension opportunities for our talented students, such as University of Canterbury Kiwi Competitions. We maintain close ties with the University of Canterbury, and our children benefit from this.
Making choices about where to send a child for English learning as well as New Zealand culture can be difficult. We know we have what it takes to make a success of this time for your child.
If you are interested please call the school to talk with me, or send me an email: alisonxie@kirkwood.school.nz. Better still, talk to someone who knows – ask our international students what they think.
Also if you would prefer to contact the school in Korean or Chinese then you are welcome to do so.
Alison Xie
International Director
Fee Structure for 2026
The fees set by the Board of Trustees for 2026
$14,000 including GST per year.
Short terms available – Please check if we have a place prior to application.