As technology and travel break down borders between nations and New Zealand becomes increasingly multicultural, one urban Auckland school is encouraging its students to think and act not just nationally, but globally.
With two international curricula, field trips around the world, an emphasis on the importance of language and culture, and students from all nationalities learning within their classrooms, ACG Senior College weave a genuine international outlook through every strand of their programmes and curriculum.
From Year 11 the school offers a Diploma combining the best of the Cambridge International Examinations and the International Baccalaureate (IB).
Nearly 50 per cent of students study the IB, which aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people with intercultural understanding and respect.
International education is worth a lot to New Zealand - it's the country's fourth largest export industry. For graduates, there are countless advantages to studying in a multicultural environment. As they embark on the world of work or further study, for example, their experience gives them an edge in dealing with people from all walks of life.
"Exposure to a diversity of views made me a more independent and creative thinker," alumna Antonia Modkova says. She is a patent lawyer who speaks three languages and has recently received start-up funding for an app to help students learn mathematics.
Two terms in to her degree in Human, Social and Political Sciences at the University of Cambridge, former Head Girl Nina Jeffs is the Debates Officer for the Cambridge University United Nations Association (CUUNA), has chaired a Model UN conference in Dubai for high school students and is soon to visit Fudan University in Shanghai to continue her study of Mandarin Chinese.
"For me, everything I become interested in seems to come back to 'the international', she explains.
It's a philosophy that future-proofs, according to Principal Tracey Dykstra: "We prepare our students for life not just a specific career. The world is changing fast, on many fronts, and by teaching our students to be independent and self-motivated and to see themselves as part of a wider world, we open them up to the myriad opportunities this brings. We can't wait to see where it takes them."
ACG Senior College is a specialist school for Year 11-13 students. It offers:
•Small classes
•Choice of Cambridge or IB curricula
•Independent learning
•Strong student support
•Subject expert teachers
•Individual attention
•Inclusive atmosphere
•Vibrant CBD location
•Psychology and sociology subject options
•Student-led extra-curricular options
•Careers advisory resource
To find out more, visit their website.
Visit them at their Open Day, Wednesday 14 June 2-4pm