Seven Spanish students in rare visit to Tauranga schools

Spanish students Lucy Tabar, 15, Ana Fayos, 17, Amaia Elkano, 14, Monica Bozalongo, 14, Clara Tresanchez, 15, Esther Fernandez, 17, and Eduardo Torres, 17. Photo/George Novak

People wearing bare feet, "chilled-out" teachers and 16-year-olds driving to school are what seven Spanish students are getting used to during their first visit to New Zealand.

The seven students are attending three different Tauranga schools in what teachers are saying is a very rare occasion.

Lucy Tabar, 15, Monica Bozalongo, 14, and Clara Tresanchez, 15, are attending Mount Maunganui College, Amaia Elkano, 14, and Eduardo Torres, 17, are at Aquinas College, and 17-year-olds Ana Fayos and Esther Fernandez are at Otumoetai College.

Mount Maunganui College international manager Allan Goodhall said it was rare for the Tauranga schools to host Spanish students.

"I do not think it is a very strong migration pattern from Spain to NZ," he said.

Mr Goodhall said there was plenty of diversity within the seven students.

"Lucy was adopted by her Spanish parents as a child from Ethiopia. They are very multilingual, speaking Spanish, French and Catalan."

Otumoetai College director of international students Roy Ballantyne said Spanish students did not look to New Zealand when looking to attend school abroad.

"They were very excited to be able to choose so many school subjects and got a little confused."

Aquinas College dean of international students Melissa Gillingham said the students were part of a group of 26 who had been travelling Australia before coming to New Zealand.

She said the students were spread around different schools including Taupo, Rotorua, Hamilton and Tauranga.

"I am really impressed with their language. My Year 13 boy has just slipped into all of his subjects.

"I have even asked him to do a speech at our school assembly after three weeks. The language level and the confidence, the maturity is just outstanding."

The students said they loved everything about New Zealand. "They have wonderful views," said 17-year-old Eduardo Torres, who was attending Aquinas College.

"It is so green," said Mount Maunganui College student Lucy Tabar, 15.

Miss Tabar said she loved Kiwi food. "I have put on 3kgs," she laughed.

The 15-year-old said Kiwi people were very nice but questioned why some people wore bare feet.

"I went to Bayfair one time and saw people walking around with no shoes on, so I took my shoes off too," she said.

The students were yet to climb Mauao or taste a Kiwi meal of fish and chips.

Amaia Elkano, 14, of Aquinas College said going to school was different to Spain.

"It is a lot less disciplined. I can use my phone in class," she said. "The teachers are a lot more chilled out."

Aquinas College's Eduardo Torres also found it interesting that 16-year-olds were driving to school. "In Spain, you cannot drive if you are only 16."