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Accommodation and Services

Bethlehem College is a signatory to the Ministry of Education's Code of Practice and the pastoral care of all our students is an integral part of our school ethos.  On the campus we have a Student Service's Co-ordinator and a Homestay Co-ordinator.  Our Student Service's Co-ordinator looks after the day to day need of our students including: banking, flight details, uniforms, medical visits and insurance claims. 

All students not living with their parent / guardian, are placed in Homestay Accommodation.  Our host families, carefully chosen, interviewed and monitored by Loretta McCready our Homestay Co-ordinator and vetted by the New Zealand Police, with the safety and welfare of all students being of paramount importance.

All families are personally selected to cater for the individual needs of each student, with an expectation that the family will care for them as they would their own son or daughter.  This arrangement benefits both the family and the student as it creates an opportunity for friendship, and encourages the mutual understanding of cultural differences.  The student is exposed to the NZ culture in a natural setting and enables them to practice their English in a supportive environment.  Along with clearly defined boundaries and communication, the host family provides a good foundation for personal growth and maturity.

We encourage all members of our community to work together to form strong relationships amongst the staff, students, host families, parents and agents.

 

Homestay Rules and Guidelines

All international students at Bethlehem College not living with their parent/guardian are placed in Homestay Accommodation.  All Homestays are police vetted, interviewed and have a signed contract with the College.

  1. Homestay Rules - Students must co-operate and accept their host family's household rules and any instructions or rules set out by their own family.  These will be discussed when the student moves into the homestay.
  2. Respect - Students are to be polite and friendly and show consideration and respect to their homestay family.  Please spend quality time with your host family as this is the best way to learn English.  Care must also be shown for the grounds, buildings, furniture and equipment provided by the homestay.
  3. Meals - Students must be home for the evening meal unless permission is given by homestay parents to be absent.
  4. Curfew - From Sunday to Thursday, students are to be home by 9.30pm and on Friday and Saturday evenings, should return to their homes no later than 11pm.  Any changes to this must be negotiated with Homestay parents and  the Director of International.  Homestay parents must be told where students are going and must know where their students are at all times.  Students 14 years and under should only be allowed out in the evenings with adequate adult supervision.
  5. Staying with friends - If a student wishes to stay with a friend at another homestay, or have one of their friends stay in your home, we ask that homestay parents contact one another to confirm these arrangements.  No student is to be left in the house unsupervised overnight, but must be in the care of an approved responsible adult.
  6. Telephones - Calls are to be kept to a minimum.  Overseas calls to friends should only be made with parents' written permission.  Local calls should also be limited, as the host family sees fit.  Calls should be preferably no more than 10 - 15 minutes.  Students are required to pay for any calling costs that are incurred during their stay.
  7. Computer Use - It is preferred that students do not have personal computers, particularly if they are not in English.   Computer use in homestays must be limited to hours agreed to by the host family, school and student.  It is strongly advised that students do NOT have computers in their bedrooms.  Computers are NOT to be brought to school unless with special permission from the International Director and they are NOT to be lent to any other student.  Bethlehem College accepts no responsibility for any student's laptop computer.
  8. Internet Use - Permission must be sought from the International Director of Bethlehem College (BC),  if students wish to have internet & email access on their personal computers in their homestays.  Students must not access any inappropriate sites on the internet.  BC reserves the right to monitor times of access if it is suspected that computer use is impacting negatively on the student's study routines.  Internet use is to be restricted to the hours of 6am to 10.30pm.
    Students connected to the internet may be required to pay for their own telephone line in the host family's home.  This line is for computer use and rules relating to telephone use for personal calls must be adhered to.
  9. Mobile Phones - Mobile phones are best left at home as they are not permitted for use at school.
  10. Household Chores - At certain times you may be asked to help with household chores.  In NZ culture, it is normal for everyone in the family to assist in some way or other.  You will be expected to keep your bedroom clean and tidy, but at other times you may be asked to help with the bathroom, dishes, laundry etc.  Please check with your host family regarding their expectations.
  11. Bank Accounts - A bank account with the BNZ, Cameron Rd, Tauranga is opened in the student's name to hold funds for telephone, sports, doctors/dentist bills etc.  Funds from this account can only be withdrawn by A/P's and/or D/D's or with the signature of the student and either the International Director or a designated International staff member.
    Bethlehem College and the Bank of New Zealand administer homestay fees and pocket money.  A maximum of $50 per week pocket money is allowed.  If expensive items are needed such as a computer, radio, bicycle etc, approval for payment is to be sought from the parents. 
  12. Payments - Students are required to pay promptly for any loss, damage or other cost which they may incur.
  13. Homestay Fees - Homestay fees and pocket money are paid by Automatic Payment directly to accounts of host families and the student's own personal spending money account.  Homestay fees will be $210 per week from January 2010.
  14. Homestay Changes - If a student wishes to leave a homestay permanently, a minimum of two weeks notice must be given, or a two week payment will be charged.
  15. Holidays - If a student is absent from their homestay for a period of two weeks or less, homestay fees will not be refunded.  Exceptions to this are negotiated directly with the family.
    Students may not stay with friends, unless in the care of an approved responsible adult.  Any arrangements to be away from Tauranga must first be discussed with the Director, International and a Permission to Travel Form is to be completed.
  16. NZ Law - Students are required to abide by NZ law while living with a host family.
    -   Students under the age of 18 are not allowed to purchase cigarettes or tobacco.  Smoking is not permitted in a host family's home unless special permission has been granted.
    -   Students are not allowed to drink alcohol in a public place or purchase alcohol if they are under the age of 18.
    -   Any studen using banned substances in a homestay, or breaking NZ laws will be instantly dismissed.
  17. Driving - International Students attending Bethlehem College are not allowed to own motor vehicles.  If a student wishes to learn to drive a car in NZ, permission must first be sought in writing from the student's parent or agent on their behalf, and from the Director, International.  Driving lessons are only to be taken from a licensed instructor when a student has reached the legal age for driving as in his/her own country.
    Students must ensure they are with an approved driver who is the holder of a Full Licence obtained in NZ, when travelling in a motor vehicle.
  18. Riding a Bicycle - All students who ride a bicycle in New Zealand MUST wear a helmet.
  19. School Rules - A booklet outlining the College Rules is available to all students, parents, or host families.  These rules, together with the above rules & homestay guidelines, are in place to support students, their families and homestays.

These Rules & Guidelines should be read in conjunction with the Conditions of Enrolment.