Accommodation and Pastoral Care

All students who study at Matamata College must be home stayed. The school has this as a requirement because it believes it is in the best interests of the students. Academic progress is enhanced when students are continually exposed to the use of the English language and greater study time is available within a home stay environment.

Home stays are arranged for the student by the Home stay Manager employed by the college. Students must fill out a ‘Student Profile’ prior to their arrival in New Zealand to assist the Home stay Manager in finding a suitable family.

Management of Homestays

The school employs a home stay manager whose job it is to select and monitor home stay carers for international students. The focus is on finding families who will provide a safe physical and emotional environment.

The home stay manager has a responsibility to ensure the school’s compliance with the “International Student Homestay guidelines” as produced by the Ministry of Education. His/her tasks include –

• Checking on the suitability of homestay families, including a police check

• Introducing students to their homestay families

• Providing an orientation programme for students

• Liaising with students and their homestay families on a regular basis

• Liaising with parents on a regular basis

• Meeting students at the airport and transporting them to Matamata if necessary

All students, their parents and homestay hosts will be given a 24 hour contact telephone number of the Homestay Manager so that help is available in an emergency at all times.

Students have ready access to the Dean of International Students, the school’s Guidance Counsellor, the Career’s Advisor, Deputy Principals’ and Principal to discuss school or homestay issues. Every effort is made to ensure students are settled and happy as possible with their school and homestay arrangements.

Guidelines

1. All home stay carers over 18 years of age will be vetted

2. The home stay manager will make an assessment of the home stay carer’s suitability to provide suitable accommodation and appropriate physical and emotional support and guidance

3. he school provides guidelines and support structure for home stay providers through the home stay manager.

4. The home stay manager will carry out ongoing monitoring of the home stay families. This involves a physical visit to each student’s home at least once a term

Characteristics of Homestay accommodation

For their homestay payments students will receive a fully furnished single room complete with study table and lamp, all their meals and laundry. We hope students will join in the family activities of the household.

Homestay Rules  

1. Students must not change their homestay without prior permission of the Dean of International Students and the Homestay Co-ordinator. A minimum of 2 weeks notice is required.

2. Students may not make national or international telephone calls from their homestay without informing their homestay. Students are encouraged to use Home Country Direct or pre-paid phonecards to telephone their home country.

3. Students may not own or drive a motor vehicle while enrolled at Matamata College and staying in the homestay. This will be strictly enforced and no exceptions will be made.

4. Students must behave appropriately in homestays and follow the normal rules of the household.

Homestay Costs (all costs GST inclusive)

• Initial placement cost of NZ$300 ( includes meeting at airport, transport to homestay, assisting in opening bank accounts etc.)

• Weekly accommodation cost – NZ$210 includes own room
  all meals
  laundry facilities
  does not include transport costs

Other expenses
Students should allow for a maximum of NZ$50 per week to cover incidentals such as transport costs, entertainment (cinemas etc.) snacks and personal spending.