HOME-STAY EXPECTATIONS - STUDENTS
Always come home from school at the usual time. If you have changed your plans you must contact your host parents and let them know where you are going and when you will be home. It is polite to ask if this is O.K.
Always ask your host parents first if you wish to invite a friend to the house.
When you have a friend visiting, it is polite to speak English when you are with your host family. Always speak English at the dinner table. You are to sit with your host family to eat your evening meal. Follow the directions of your host family at meal times.
Always ask your host parents first if you wish to visit a friend or got to the movies, etc. They must know where you are going and who you are with, and how and when you are getting home. Host parents will have the final decision.
Friends of the opposite sex are not permitted in the house if your host parents are not home. Girlfriends are not permitted in your bedroom.
Be open and honest with your host parents about girlfriends. Keping secrets will only lead to distrust.
If your host parents are going away and are unable to take you with them, arrangements will be made with another family and your host family will pay them.
If you wish to stay with a friend overnight, and you host parents agree, no payment is made.
In New Zealand, it is generally considered impolite to phone someone after 9.30p.m. unless it is an emergency. Your host parents will tell you their rules for using the phone, tolls, etc. Remember the phone is for the whole family.
Always be considerate of others in the home, especially using the bathroom. Showers should be no longer than ten minutes and one per day. Your host mother will show you where to put dirty laundry. Never keep wet towels/clothing in your bedroom.
Always keep your room tidy and help your host parents whenever you can. You may be given household chores.
You may not own or drive a car while you are enrolled at the school.
Repeated failure to follow any of these rules may result in your parents being informed or you being sent home.
This is for you and your home-stay parents to fill in after discussion together. There may be particular extra rules they wish to make.
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Student's signature ____________________________
Parent's signature ____________________________
Date ____________________________
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HOME-STAY EXPECTATIONS - PARENTS
As a home stay parent, your responsibilities are as they would be towards your own family including supervision of out of school hours, recreational pursuits, and social activities (you are not legally the guardian of the student).
The school must be informed of any problems or areas of concern and they in turn will communicate with the student's parents should it be necessary. The home-stay co-ordinator will work with you to solve any prolems.
- Meals
Three meals a day including a packed lunch during the school week (all the extras you would supply for your own children).
- Laundry
Washing and ironing
- Heating
Electric blanket, heater in room to study.
- Bedroom
Should be equipped with a table or desk and reading lamp.
- Chores
To enable the students to feel part of the family, they are expected to take on daily routine chores as would be expected of any family member.
- Transport
As you would your own children - to and from school (if necessary), to and from sports, practices, movies etc. (The school is responsible for trasport to and from Oamaru on arrival and on leaving New Zealand). Homestay students are not permitted to own or drive a car while enrolled at the school.
- Student Behaviour
As you would expect from your own children of a similar age, but do allow for cultural differences. If you have any concerns, please contact Helen Pederson, Janet Hammond-Tooke, or Danny Fountaine.
- Illness or Accident
In cases of serious illness or acident, please contact the school or emergency numbers. We will contact parents if necessary. If your student is absent from school due to sickness, please phone the school office before 9a.m. All students have medical insurance, which covers hospital visits.
- Money
Payments will be two weeks in advance by direct credit to your bank account.
- Insurance
All students must have personal effects insurance which covers loss/burglary/etc.
Please do not hesitate to contact the homestay coordinator if you have any questions. It is best to sort out even the smallest problem early on. Leave a message with the school office and we will get back to you. You can also phone us at home. The homestay coordinator will keep in regular contact with you and with the students (At least once per term but probably more often).
Emergency telephone numbers:
- Mrs Helen Pederson Ph. 433 1137 (Daytime)
- Mrs Janet Hammond-Tooke Ph. 437 0754
- Mr Danny Fountaine 021 243 3114
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HOMESTAY ORGANISATION AND MONITORING
Procedures for Arranging Home-stays
Initial contact by Telephone
- Introduction.
- A brief explanation of the situation and our needs.
- Request for two referees (for informal telephone contact).
- Arrange suitable time for first visit.
Initial home visit by co-ordinator
- Check general cleanliness
- View accommodation for the boy (facilities).
- Dicuss what is expected from and what is to be provided by home-stay parents.
- Discuss payment of fees (deposit slip for direct credit).
- Arrange to visit and introduce student.
- Give home-stay parents a copy of 'Basic home stay rules'.
- Check for smoke alarm and first aid kit.
- Arrange for police vetting of all family members over the age of 17.
Introduction of Student
- At prearranged time - visit home-stay family to introduce student to family.
- Ensure personal insurance (for clothes, stereo, etc.) is arranged as soon as possible.
- Ensure personal medical insurance is arranged as soon as possible.
- Finalize arrangements for home-stay including arrangements to collect or deliver the student and their luggage.
Follow-up Contact by Co-ordinator
- Regular telephone contact with home-stay family.
- Regular follow-up visits to the home-stay house (at least once per term).
- Separate contact with the student independent of the home-stay family.
- Contact with ESOL teaching staff with regard to any problems.