Northcote College International

A massive round of applause for International student 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻 and his bandmates in 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮 - Ray Chai, Hendrix Dickson, Abby Allan, and Fynn Bischoff – who rocked the stage at Kaipātiki Sounds 2026!

They were among 17 acts from Northcote College, Birkenhead College, and Glenfield College in this fabulous showcase of young musical talent across our local community—from soul-stirring soloists to powerhouse bands.

Thanks to the Kaipātiki Sounds team who put so much work into this event each year.

At Northcote College we’re incredibly proud of our school and revel in seeing everything that our students achieve. Our new video gives a great overview of life at Northcote College - so you can see for yourself what we do, how well our students thrive here, and why it's such a great choice for your child.

Apply to study at Northcote College:
https://www.northcote.school.nz/international/apply-study

https://youtu.be/lkCWQUGcb78

Northcote College International 2026 At Northcote College we’re incredibly proud of our school and revel...

Welcoming new international students is a team effort! We are so proud to have so many students volunteer to be ‘student buddies’ to our newest arrivals, helping then find their feet and get settled in. It’s what the Northcote College community is all about.

It was particularly lovely to see Eddie Wang and Henry Yu (China) and Louis Berg (Switzerland) among the volunteers. They’re international students who joined us earlier this year – so they know from experience how great it is to have a new friend to help you when you arrive, and are doing the same for others.

This is a beautiful reflection of one of our core values at Northcote College: Kia Manaaki Te Tangata—to be of service to others.

Welcome to all our new students—we’re so glad you’re here! 🇳🇿🎉

Today, we were privileged to welcome 67 new international students representing 11 countries to our campus.

Our newest students are from China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Vietnam, Chile, Thailand, Spain, Argentina, Switzerland, and France.

The day started with a traditional pōwhiri (welcome), followed by a morning tea where students had the opportunity to mingle and connect.

Our new students were then introduced to their volunteer student ‘buddies’, who will help them find their way around the school and settle in.

Students had a great time trying on traditional Chinese outfits at lunchtime today – as we kick off a week of lunchtime activities for International Languages Week.

Learning a language is about so much more than just words – it’s about understanding culture and history!

International student Anh Tran, from Vietnam, is studying Year 10 Chinese … her third language!

The class has been exploring the rich history of traditional Chinese clothing, known as Hanfu, learning about how styles evolved across different periods.

To bring their learning to life, they enjoyed a hands-on session where they were able to try on the outfits themselves. It was a fantastic, interactive way to experience the fun and beauty of Chinese heritage.

𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗧 𝗔𝗧 𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧!
A massive round of applause for International student 𝗞𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗼𝗻 and his bandmates in 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮 - Ray Chai, Hendrix Dickson, and Fynn Bischoff – who claimed 3rd place overall at the Smokefree Rockquest Regional Finals.

Competition was fierce, with 12 top-tier acts competing for the entire North Shore, making this podium finish a huge win.

To add to the excitement, bandmate 𝗥𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶 was honoured with the Musicianship Award for his outstanding skill!

PHOTOS: Chontalle Musson

FROM VOLCANOES TO VILLAGE VIBES
Our international students had a fantastic day out in nearby Devonport this week!

They explored Maungauika North Head, a historic dormant volcano famous for its early Māori settlement and fascinating network of military tunnels and fortifications. The spectacular views of the Waitematā Harbour and Auckland city were an absolute highlight!

Afterwards, the group enjoyed some downtime wandering through the charming Devonport village and relaxing with lunch by the waterfront.

This trip is all part of a special week of activities designed for our international students who aren’t sitting senior exams.

COOKING UP A STORM!
This week, some of our international students got a true taste of New Zealand by whipping up a traditional Kiwi roast lamb with all the trimmings.

While our senior students are busy with exams, this group has been taking part in a special week of activities.

The delicious reward for their hard work was sitting down together to enjoy the hearty lunch they worked so hard to create!