INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE
Back Row : Kane Lowry , Bray Crim , Stala Gines 2nd Row : Lucas Qiao , Jack Waby , Rubem Demarchi , Stephen Lowry ( Teacher ) Front Row : Daphne Pabico , Iris Talabucon , Sakura Shinozaki Absent : Natasha Stevenson , Harry Roper
This year our school has hosted 18 international students from countries all over the world such as Japan , Norway , Brazil , China , and Germany . Faced by the global pandemic , the entry of potential international students was limited , allowing us to build a better , stronger , and more intimate bond with the international students that were already studying in our school . We as a committee ensured the welfare of each student by welcoming them and making them comfortable in our school environment . We created activities that allowed them to familiarise themselves with the New Zealand culture , as well as showcasing their own to their fellow Kiwi friends , bringing the cultures from around the world into Havelock North High School . This year our main focus is the importance of cultural awareness within the school and its students . The committee has successfully organised various events that have made a difference within the community . At the beginning of the year , we held our annual International Food Festival . A celebration of cultures coming together through their love for food , with each one unique to its own . This involved the entire school community and provided our international students an opportunity to represent their own culture as they prepared a specialty from their country , sharing it with visitors from inside and outside of school . Posters with phrases in the native language from different countries were put up all over the school to commemorate International Languages Week . On the second term break , an exciting activity was organised during the holidays for both the international students and the committee which was a cooking competition . Each country will cook a dish from scratch and in the end , we would all gather to have a hearty meal , tasting the creations of the students . An opportunity to learn the Haka , School Pepeha , and Te Reo were offered to our international students at the beginning of term three , encouraging them to immerse and experience a taste of Māori culture . This was made possible through our cooperation with Taiohi Tū Commmittee . Week nine of term three , we organised a dodgeball tournament that was made available to everyone . It was a friendly competition and everyone had a chance to meet new people and enjoy each other ’ s company through a game of dodgeball . Lastly , to end the year , our Japanese international students showcased a traditional Japanese dance in Havestock , called ‘ Soran Bushi ’. The effort given was phenomenal as every Monday afternoon since the beginning of term three , they ( Aiko , Rin , Nanako , Urara , Yui ) have been practising to be able to perform and share a bit of their culture with our school .
Overall , the year 2020 has been enjoyable and knowledgeable for both the International Committee and international students . These events have made us closer and familiar with one another and gave us an opportunity to embrace each and every culture that is in our school . Hopefully , with the years to come , our community will continue to grow and become even more engaged with cultures from around the world .
Iris Talabucon
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