Ruby Cong, China
Ruby studied at Wentworth College for 3 years. In early 2020, like so many International Students, she found herself overseas, away from her family, in the middle of a global pandemic. Here Ruby describes what it was like, the support she received, and how she went on to gain impressive grades in Cambridge A2 Level Mathematics and Physics and AS Level Marine Science as well as a further AS Level in Economics.
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Ruby is currently applying to Universities in Singapore and the United Kingdom, to study Psychology.
“I am from Qing Dao, Shan Dong province of China. I came to New Zealand when I was 15. I had never been outside of Asia before. The education system in China was too stressful to me and I found it hard to catch up with its pace. During this time, my mother visited Wentworth College as the head master of an education party for learning from each other. She met Mr Bruce Tong, the Principal and was impressed by the study environment and atmosphere there. Then, both my parents and I decided to study in New Zealand.
The hardest part was language barrier when I first came here. My English level was just B2. Luckily, we had extra English classes every day to develop language skills. I really appreciated Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Palosne. They were there for me not only to teach me academically, but also to support me spiritually. Mrs. Graver, Mrs. Tanaka and Mrs. Vaudrey were lovely international teachers who set up a lot of activities for me, so I could experience kiwi culture. We went to the Auckland Zoo, aquarium and Auckland Museum. It was a fun time.
I adjusted the life in New Zealand relatively soon. The more English I spoke, the more fluent I was. Though I felt a bit lonely from time to time, living independently and confidently made me feel proud. I communicated more with my classmates, been active in my classes and participated more activities. Those things reduced my homesick and helped me fit into the school better.
School life in New Zealand was notably different from China. To be honest, I was tired of chasing top grade in Chinese college. It seemed like grades were everything. I did not have any free time to cheer up my body or boost my mind. Moreover, I hadn’t had a target. The reason I studied hard in China was just to make my parents happy. I didn’t realize that until I came here. In Wentworth, nobody really pushed me or yelled at me to get top marks. It was ok to be imperfect. Teachers would never look down on me even though I was not good at some subjects. There were a lot of memorable times in my classes. We had numerous outdoor activities after school. Wentworth college concentrated not only on academics, but also cared about your health in general. This was my favourite aspect.
I lived with a lovely family, Mildred, Jonathan and their daughter Hannah. They were all super kind people. I was quite picky with food and sometimes I really missed Chinese food. But Mildred could satisfy all my dreaming recipes. She shared heaps of menu to me so that I can cook by myself in university. When I felt bored, we watched TV together just like friends. On my 18th birthday, they prepared plenty of delicious food for me. We decorated our house together. Though it was in lockdown, we made a small party just for us. They warmed my heart and I loved them.
I hadn’t been home for two years due to the pandemic. It was a hard time for all of international students. Mrs. Graver organized a lot of activities to ease our stress. I tried to join a few committees to distract me from homesickness. It worked out well. Making more friends and reading books were also good ways to reduce negative emotion. During this period, I improved a lot. I learned many living skills and gradually became mature. I will definitely miss the living condition in New Zealand. It was such an ease living style with absolutely no pollution. I found peace here and was able to spend time doing the things I want to do most.
I decide to study Psychology in Singapore National University. I wish I can learn it well and bring knowledge back to China. So, more people will have a better understanding of this field. Studying in Wentworth was an important and irreplaceable stage in my life. I hope you can value the opportunity of studying abroad. Sometimes you will be alone but don’t change yourself to please others. You will find real friends eventually. Look for things you really want and don’t forget your original purpose.”
Tania Barnes, USA
Tania Barnes passion was to pursue marine biology studies, and this led her to forego her last year of High School in the beautiful mountains of Colorado in the USA, where she lived, and find a school with close proximity to the Pacific Ocean and that had a curriculum that included Marine Science. Whilst in the process of exploring options both domestically and internationally, Tania heard of Wentworth College.
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Tania studied Cambridge Marine Science, taking her AS and A Level, in just one year, an amazing feat considering most students take 2 years to achieve an A level. On top of that, she came top in the school in this subject, gaining an impressive A grade. Tania also studied AS Level Physics, and AS level Chemistry gaining impressive grades that gave her University Entrance to many top universities worldwide. However, her love of New Zealand means she now studies Marine Science at Auckland University.
“Deciding to come to New Zealand was one of the best decisions I ever made! I have seen myself develop both academically and personally during my time in New Zealand. Wentworth College provided me with an outstanding education, beyond supportive teachers and a wonderful school and homestay environment. I came to New Zealand to further my studies in marine biology and experience a unique culture. In the process, I met many amazing people from all over the world, and developed lifelong friendships. From snorkelling in marine reserves, collecting data from the field, beach clean-ups, joining the sailing team, participating in house sports and attending the school ball, this year has been an experience of a lifetime. Wentworth has been everything I had hoped for and more.”
Apple Ngamwong, Thailand
Apple spent Year’s 10 and 11 studying at Wentworth College combining her professional golf tuition and her Cambridge International Examinations. Studying on a golf Scholarship, she made excellent progress in her English, her academic studies, and her golf. She also played for the Wentworth Golf Team. Apple has now gone on to university in America after securing a golf scholarship there.
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“Studying at Wentworth was such a great experience. All of the teachers and students are very friendly. I played golf at Gulf Harbour Country Club and it is a very beautiful course.”
Amelie Marseille, Germany
Amelie is a keen sailor, and was already competing in national and international sailing regattas in Germany. Amelie joined Wentworth’s sailing academy, enabling her to continue her sport at a really high level, whilst also enjoying an overseas study experience. Amelie also loves music and dancing and joined the school orchestra playing the harp, as well as doing singing lessons and ballet.
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Amelie’s main focus was to improve her English. She also studied AS Level Marine Science, Economics and Mathematics whilst at Wentworth, following the Cambridge Assessment International Education curriculum. She found the classes very different to Germany, but appreciated the small size of Wentworth, and soon saw the advantages. “Smaller classes! The teacher can support you more as an individual. There was more silence in the classes, so you could concentrate and focus better in lessons. It might be small but Wentworth is a big community because everyone knows each other. The relationships between all students and teachers is much closer.”
Amelie went on the outdoor education camp and explored much of New Zealand though her sailing competitions, school trips, trips organised by her agent, and independent travel when her parents visited her over the summer break.
As well as sailing with the Wentworth sailing academy, Amelie also joined the Russell Coutts sailing club in Manly, just 5 minutes from her homestay home, and competed in many sailing regattas whilst in New Zealand favouring O’pen Bic and Feva sailing.
“I chose Wentworth College because it was recommended to me by my education agent in Germany as a school that offered support for sailing students. When I first arrived here, I was really positively surprised. Everyone was so kind and nice and there was so much support from everyone.”
Davis Oh, South Korea
Davis studied at Wentworth College for 4 years combining his academic studies with his passion for golf. Described by Mr Langdon, Teacher of Economics as “very intelligent and one of the best economics students I have taught in a long time”, Davis gained impressive top grades in Maths and Economics at AS Level in Year 12, and is equally well in his A2 Level Mathematics, Economics and a further AS level in Business Studies.
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Davis has accepted a place at one of Korea’s top universities, Sungkyunkwan University, to study Business Administration.
“I came to New Zealand with my parents when I was 13 years old. It was a big challenge for me because I’ve never been to a western country. At first, I was worrying about how I will manage to settle in New Zealand, but all the native friends and teachers in Wentworth have been very kind and helpful that all my worries were unnecessary.
As well as studying hard at Wentworth, I also put a lot of effort in my golfing. Wentworth offered me golf scholarship that supported me to achieve my goal, which is becoming a professional golfer. I also enjoyed my time as Captain of the school golf team. We played so many different golf courses within Auckland that gave me a lot of good memories with my teammates and with our golf team teacher Mr Langdon.
In the very last six months in New Zealand, I moved into a homestay that Wentworth organised as my parents went back to Korea. It was a great pleasant for me to meet my first ever homestay parents, Mavis and Tony. I always enjoyed my life in the homestay because they supported me in studying and golfing just like my parents and the food that Mavis makes for dinner is magnificent.
I have had a lot of hard times playing golf tournaments and keeping up with my schoolwork, now I can feel that all my hard work is starting to pay-off. In the future, if I look back to my life in New Zealand, I will definitely think that it was my most meaningful and remarkable time as a student.”
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Wentworth Primary
Wentworth College
School Events
International Programme
09 424 3273
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Our school policies are reviewed and updated regularly.
To request a copy of any policy, please contact the Board Secretary and EA to the Principal, Bruce Tong by emailing Gail Clews at: gclews@wentworth.school.nz. Printed copies are also available for viewing at the school office.
Administration
| Animals in School |
| Behaviour Management |
| Complaints |
| Board Conflicts of Interest |
| Personal Mobile Phones & Electronic Devices |
| Privacy |
| School Reviews |
| Use of ICT by Staff and Students |
Administration
- Academic Excellence
- Assessment & Reporting
- Assessments for Students with Special Needs
- Copyright
- Counselling & Career Guidance
- Curriculum Delivery
- Curriculum Review
- Homework
- Parent Interviews
- Patriotism and Taha Māori
School Life and Rules
Wentworth College school life and rules are printed at the front of the Wentworth College homework diary. A full copy is available from the school's office.
Wentworth Primary school life and rules are printed in the Guide for New Parents Handbook that new families receive on enrolment of their child.
Transport
Wentworth College offers a dedicated contracted bus service with convenient pick-up points at Silverdale, Orewa, and various locations along the Whangaparaoa Peninsula.
In addition, the College operates seven of its own buses, providing transport for students from a wide range of areas, including Matakana to the north, Kaukapakapa to the west, and Albany Village, East Coast Bays, Dairy Flat, and Milldale.
This extensive network ensures students from across the region have reliable and accessible transport to and from school each day.
The School Day
The Primary School day runs from 9am to 3.10pm, with sports and cultural activities held either during breaks, or before / after school and on Saturdays.
The College teaching day runs from 8.40am to 3.20pm, with sports and cultural activities held either during breaks or before/after school and on Saturdays.
Sport
At Wentworth College we offer students the opportunity to participate in as many different sports as possible
Summer Sports (Terms 1 & 4)
Athletic
Badminton
Basketball
Cricket
Golf (Premier League and 'Learn to Play')
Rowing
Sailing (Academy and ‘Learn to Sail’)
Summer Soccer
Swimming
Tennis
Touch Rugby
Volleyball
Winter Sports (Terms 2 & 3)
Badminton
Basketball
Cross country
Hockey
Netball
Rugby*
Water Polo
*composite team with other schools
Pastoral Care and Guidance
Wentworth operates a family ‘House’ pastoral care structure, with each student placed in a House from the time of their enrolment. Within each House, students are assigned a Tutor Group which meets once a day with the Tutor’s role being to keep an oversight on each student’s attendance and progress, and to counsel them if needed. Deans also operate as part of the caring and guidance system, being there to help the students and guide them when necessary. As students move into the senior school, careers guidance is also available through the Deputy Principal.
The College is committed to the pastoral care of students. This commitment enables every student to make a confident transition from school to work or tertiary study.
Standards of Behaviour
While at school students are expected to behave with courtesy and consideration, thus contributing to an environment of mutual respect and support.
Behaviour Outside School
When travelling to and from school, the school uniform must be worn correctly and a high standard of conduct exhibited at all times. Students should be aware that when in uniform, their conduct reflects upon both themselves and the reputation of the College.
Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs
Students must not be involved with cigarettes, alcohol or drugs at school, or to and from school, or on any occasion when they are wearing school uniform, or at any function held under the control of the College. The school will view such involvement (in possession, use or association with the activity) as a serious offence. The Police Youth Aid will be given the details of any Wentworth student who becomes involved in criminal activity while at school or while taking part in any event associated with the school.
General
Students are under the school’s authority from the time they leave home until they return home, or at any function held under the control of the College.
Electronic games, CD players, I’pods, matches, lighters, or any dangerous implements must not be brought to school.
All clothing, books and sports gear must be clearly named. No responsibility will be taken for lost property, but considerable effort will be made to find it if clothing and equipment are named.
Students are not to chew gum.
No school-age or personal friends of students may be on school grounds during school time.
Bicycles may not be ridden in the school grounds and there must be no doubling.
Damage, such as broken windows, must be reported to the school office. Students must be prepared to pay for damage caused.
If parents wish to locate their children during the day or after school, they are requested to enquire at the school office. If parents wish to discuss a problem with teachers, they are requested to make an appointment.
Internet and Computer use
All students at Wentworth College are issued with their own individual login name and password, giving them access to the school’s internal network, email and internet. Prior to being given their login details, both the student and a parent/caregiver must sign an Computer Agreement, indicating their acceptance of, and agreement with, the conditions of use stipulated in the Agreement. Disciplinary action will be taken against any student found to be breaching the terms of the Agreement.
Download the 
Internet /Computer and Computer Peripherals Agreement.
Homework
Students receive regular homework, set to allow them to practise and consolidate skills previously taught at school and to develop personal study skills. Homework is expected to be completed or a note should be produced. Because students work at different speeds, it is difficult to lay down guidelines for hours of homework, but students in Years 7 and 8 will normally have about 45 minutes of homework each night, whilst students in Years 9 to 11 will normally need to do one to two hours homework.
Homework includes:
- reading and background research
- preparation of new work
- learning vocabulary
- revision and practice exercises
- revising for tests/examinations
- preparation of projects or assignments
Parents can assist by:
- taking an interest in homework
- checking a student’s homework
- helping students plan their time
- providing a quiet place or room
Textbooks and Stationery
It is each student’s responsibility to ensure that school textbooks are cared for and returned after use in the best possible condition. Damage resulting from a lack of care will be charged. Stationery lists are posted on the school website showing the requirements for each subject, with each list broken into 2 sections. It is the student’s responsibility to purchase items in the first section, whilst items in the second section will be supplied by the school and invoiced to parents.
School Lunches
Most students bring a packed lunch from home, but we also have a same day food delivery service through www.ezlunch.co.nz If you place a food order by 9am, it will be delivered at lunchtime. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, you can place an order for sushi, and Thursday and Friday is a range of items from Go-Deli catering. You can see the full menu here Term 1 Menu.