All international fee-paying and exchange students enrolled at Hamilton's Fraser High School must be in accommodation which is approved and monitored by the school. Our homestay families contribute greatly to the success of our international programme. We encourage students to join fully into the family activities of their homestay. Their English will quickly improve and this also helps ensure a positive overall experience.

School-Arranged Homestay Accommodation

Homestays are arranged by the Homestay Coordinator. All homestays meet a high standard of care for our students and are monitored as required under the ‘Code of Practice’ (see below). Students have access to help at all times by way of a 24/7 emergency contact phone number, and their care in the homestay is closely supervised. They are given information and support as part of their orientation to the school and homestay, and advice and information contained in a Student’s Homestay Handbook is very useful in helping them adapt to a new family and culture. It is important that they read the Homestay Handbook carefully, and ask their homestay parent or an International Centre staff member if they need further information.

Students pay NZ$195 a week (2010) for their homestay accommodation. For their homestay payments, students will receive a fully furnished room complete with study table and lamp, all their meals, and their laundry. All homestay fees are paid in advance to the School, once the application to enrol has been approved. The School has responsibility for paying the homestay parents. Students away from their homestay for a week or more in an arranged and approved trip will pay a reduced rate of $50/week. Students continuing their education at Hamilton’s Fraser High School in the following year, and currently in homestay accommodation arranged by the School, must pay a retaining fee of $20 a week in advance to retain their room at their homestay while they are absent during the Christmas holiday period.

Homestay parents are encouraged to keep in close contact with the School, and homestays are visited at least twice a year by the Homestay Coordinator. Students are regularly interviewed to ensure they are safe and happy in their homestay. Parents who have concerns about their children’s welfare can contact the Director of International Students during school hours (telephone 64 7 847 9044 OR fax 64 7 847 9054 OR e-mail intstud@fraser.school.nz ).

If problems arise the Director of International Students and the Homestay Coordinator will attempt to help the student solve these. If there is a need for a change, at least one week's notice will be given to the homestay family. Students cannot change their homestay without permission of the Director.

Parent or Agent-Arranged Homestay Accommodation

If the parent or an agent arranges the homestay, the parent will be required to sign an ‘indemnity’ letter to indicate they are responsible for the student. The designated caregiver and living accommodation is still monitored in a similar manner to school arranged homestay, and the school reserves the right to withhold or withdraw approval of this accommodation.

Hamilton’s Fraser High School is a signatory to the ‘Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students’ published by the Ministry of Education. Copies of the Code are available to download from the Ministry of Education website at:
www.minedu.govt.nz/educationSectors/InternationalEducation/
(click on ‘For International Students and Parents’).