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Welcome to Birchwood School. We welcome students from around the world.
Facilities & Staff Support
Facilities & Staff Support
At Birchwood School, our facilities and dedicated team create a safe, engaging, and well-supported environment where international students can thrive.
Our Facilities
Our kura features purpose-built learning spaces equipped with digital devices (including Chromebooks and iPads) to support modern learning. The school hall serves as a hub for assemblies, cultural performances, Kapa Haka, and sports programs. Students also enjoy access to our well-resourced school library, interactive kitchen and greenhouse and gardens for our Garden to Table program, expansive outdoor grounds and playgrounds for sports and physical play.
Dedicated Staffing & Leadership Support
Dedicated Staffing & Leadership Support
Our team is committed to making sure every student and their family feels welcomed and cared for throughout their time with us. The Birchwood team will ensure that you and your child will have the support needed to ensure a smooth transition into our school community. Our teachers and learning assistants work closely with students in small, collaborative classroom environments, delivering structured literacy, mathematics, and inquiry learning every day.
Designated staff members to support your child and your family
When your child starts at Birchwood School you will be provided with contact details of designated staff who you can contact outside of school hours should you need any support during your stay in Nelson.
Specialised Services & Support
To further enrich student wellbeing, academic progress, and personal growth, Birchwood School is able to offer access to specialised support services, including:
Holistic Support: Animal, art, and music therapy sessions designed to foster wellbeing, confidence, and emotional support.
Targeted Learning & Coaching: Additional academic tutoring and specialised sports coaching to help students excel in their studies and athletic pursuits.
Opportunities at Birchwood School
Garden to table programme
Te reo Māori
Kapa Haka
Music lessons
Choir
Student leadership
Cultural groups
Academic competitions
Environment group
Within school and interschool sport
Specialist learning support
Curriculum Overview for International Students
At Birchwood School, we provide a welcoming, inclusive, and rich learning environment designed to help international students thrive academically, socially, and culturally.
To ensure every student receives the right level of support from day one, a bilingual assessment is conducted for International Students during the first week of school to ascertain if any additional language support will be required. This responsive approach takes into account each student’s first language and background to tailor learning and assessment experiences to their individual needs.
Core Academic Subjects
Our daily curriculum focuses on building strong foundational skills through structured and engaging evidence-based practices:
Literacy: We use a Structured Literacy approach to explicitly teach reading, spelling, and writing. Reading and writing are taught for an hour every day.
The school uses the ministry of education framework for English Language Learners. Should an international student be working within the English Language Progression Framework they will receive additional targeting English language tuition
Mathematics: Mathematics is taught for an hour daily following the New Zealand Curriculum, using engaging programs like Maths No Problem to build automaticity and real-world problem-solving skills.
Holistic & Inquiry-Based Learning: Learning at Birchwood extends beyond core academics to develop curious, thoughtful, and capable global citizens:
Inquiry Units: Twice a year, students participate in integrated inquiry projects where they investigate authentic questions, conduct research, and take meaningful action.
Te Reo Māori & Cultural Inclusion: We celebrate cultural identity and honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Te Reo Māori and tikanga (practices) are woven daily into classroom life, and all students have the opportunity to participate in Kapa Haka and Pasifika groups.
Environmental & Food Education: As a Gold Enviroschool, sustainability is integrated into our values. Year 3 and 4 students participate in the Garden to Table program, growing, harvesting, and cooking fresh food.
Health, Physical Education & Sports: Facilitated by classroom teachers and supported by external sports facilitators, our PE program encourages active lifestyles through athletics, cross country, football, basketball, and volleyball.
Special Interest Opportunities: Students can participate in Friday cross-age activities ("Friyays" and Buddy Classes), choir, and optional group music lessons.
Assessment, Reporting & Wellbeing
Assessment, Reporting & Wellbeing
We believe in supporting the whole child, with a strong focus on Mauri Ora (wellbeing) and our school GROW values. Assessment is integrated daily to encourage growth and highlight student strengths. Whānau receive regular formal updates through written reports twice a year (Terms 2 and 4) and face-to-face parent-teacher conferences (Terms 1 and 3).
Navigating Cultural Differences & Managing Culture Shock
Navigating Cultural Differences & Managing Culture Shock
Moving to a new country and adapting to a different educational environment brings both exciting opportunities and natural adjustments. At Birchwood School in Nelson, we understand that experiencing culture shock or feeling overwhelmed by new routines, languages, and customs is a normal part of settling into a new home.
Grounded in our commitment to Mauri Ora (wellbeing) and our school GROW values, we surround our international students with a compassionate, inclusive community where their unique cultural identity is celebrated.
Everyday classroom life thoughtfully weaves in local culture, Te Reo Māori, and tikanga (practices), while encouraging cross-cultural sharing and connection through collaborative learning and buddy systems.
To support students and whānau through every stage of transition, our Principal and Deputy Principal are readily available alongside our classroom teachers. From responsive language assessments and targeted English support to holistic options like music, art, and animal therapy, we ensure every child feels safe, understood, and confident as they navigate cultural differences and build a sense of belonging in New Zealand.
Application Conditions
Birchwood School has agreed to observe and be bound by the Education (Pastoral Care of International Students) Code of Practice 2021 published by the Ministry of Education. Copies of the Code are available on request from this institution or from the New Zealand Ministry of Education website at www.nzqa.govt.nz.
Knowing the Code.
The NZQA site has information for families around the Code that schools must follow as signatories Education Code of Practice for International students.
Enrolling your child
If you are interested in enrolling your child as an international student at Birchwood School please click on the links below.
International student tuition agreement
Summary of fees and expenses:
Application fee: $500.00 (incl. GST and non-refundable)
Tuition fees for Full Year: $12,400.00 (includes Government Charges & GST)
Tuition for other Periods:
$3,100.00 per term, (4 term year incl. GST)
$310.00 per week for periods less than one term of ten weeks (incl. GST)
Additional School Expenses
School camp (Year 5 and 6 only) - $200
Stationery - $40
Uniform - $150
Additional Personal Expenses
Medical/Personal insurance - approximately $650.00;
Personal living expenses
Travel costs to and from New Zealand and any additional holiday travel within New Zealand;
Rent for housing $600 - $800 per week
Policy
In addition to the conditions listed below, all conditions that are a part of the tuition agreement with parents, the International Learner Fee Protection and Refunds policy and other school policies also apply.
Students and parents must accept and abide by rules regarding behaviour and conduct that apply to all students. Unacceptable behaviour may result in the termination of tuition.
Students must observe the Laws of New Zealand.
Full details of visa and permit requirements, advice on rights to employment in New Zealand while studying, and reporting requirements are available through the New Zealand Immigration Service, and can be viewed on their website at www.immigration.govt.nz. Students must observe the conditions of their Visa. If a student breaks the terms of the Visa, the school will report the fact to the New Zealand Immigration Service, which may result in the student having to leave New Zealand.
Regular attendance is expected unless prevented by illness or any other urgent cause.
Tuition may be terminated if the student fails to comply with the school rules or breaches the conditions of their Visa.
Tuition fees will be paid in full before enrolment, or before enrolment is renewed (whichever applies).
All additional costs will be paid promptly, as required, and conditions of the International Learner Fee Protection and Refunds be accepted.
Students must have the required insurance and evidence provided to the school .
Students must have accommodation that meets requirements .
Formal policy regarding International Students including processes for dealing with disputes and complaints can be viewed on our policy website:
Username: Birchwood
Password: Respect
As well as the International Student Concerns and Complaints Policy, the following sites are also useful resources for families to reference when working through complaints and disputes: NZQA and Study Complaints.
Insurance
Most international students are not entitled to publicly funded health services in New Zealand. If you receive medical treatment during your visit, you may be liable for the full costs of that treatment. Full details on entitlements to publicly funded health services are available through the Ministry of Health, and can be viewed on their website at www.nzqa.govt.nz.
The Accident Compensation Corporation provides accident insurance for all New Zealand citizens, residents and temporary visitors to New Zealand, but you may still be liable for all other medical and related costs. Further information can be viewed on the ACC website at http://www.acc.co.nz.
International students must have appropriate and current medical and travel insurance while studying in New Zealand. All students are required to have travel and medical insurance for the duration of their period of enrolment. It is best that the student’s family arrange insurance but proof must be provided that the insurance purchased is adequate.
All International Students must obtain an Insurance Policy that includes a 'Fees Protection Clause'. A copy of the Policy must be sent to the school before enrolment to ensure that Fees Protection Coverage is adequate.
Accommodation and Transport
The following website has comprehensive information regarding Nelson, including attractions, transport and accommodation. https://www.naumainz.studywithnewzealand.govt.nz/
1. Accommodation Requirements
As a signatory to the Code of Practice, Birchwood School must ensure all international students live in safe, compliant living environments. For primary and intermediate-aged students, the following options apply:
Living with a Parent or Legal Guardian: The student must reside daily with a parent throughout the enrolment duration. If a parent returns overseas leaving the student unsupervised, the enrolment contract will be immediately terminated.
2. Transport to and from School
Parents and designated caregivers are responsible for ensuring the student travels safely to and from school everyday.
Walking/Scootering/Biking: If living within walking distance of our Stoke/Nelson campus, students must be accompanied by an adult or an older sibling if under 10 years of age. High-visibility gear and helmets are required for wheeled travel.
Private Car Transport Drop-offs and pickups must happen safely within designated school zones outside 15 Durham Street.
Public Buses: If utilizing public transit networks, routes and schedules should be practiced closely with the child before their first school week.
Changes in Circumstances
If residential addresses, phone contacts, or living arrangements change at any stage during the school term, you must notify the school administration office immediately. Note that the student must be living with a caregiver or legal guardian at all times for the duration of the tuition agreement.
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