Oxford Area School - International
We are located in Oxford, just 40 minutes north of Christchurch or 25 minutes from the town of Rangiora, in a growing semi-rural area. Traditionally Oxford was an agricultural service village but it is now the heart of a much more diverse community of farmers, small lifestyle block dwellers and city commuters.
The Southern Alps, Mount Oxford, Oxford Forest and rivers are all close to our village which is found on the northern Canterbury Plains, meaning there are a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities on our doorstep. Cycling, mountain biking, climbing, hiking, fishing, horse riding, skiing and farm activities like quad biking and shooting, are just some of the activities you can easily participate in here.
Oxford Area School is a growing Year 1-13 school of approximately 550 students. Our school has a strong family atmosphere, with everyone knowing everyone else. We have low numbers of international students ensuring they are valued for the diversity they bring to the community.
Our class sizes are small. We provide quality teaching on a full range of subjects which inspires students to enjoy their learning and achieve to their potential. Our academic results are excellent and most students graduate to continue onto a tertiary course of their choice. We are proud of our culture of excellence, innovation and creativity.
We are known for our Outdoor Education. All students have had multiple school experiences as juniors in the outdoors. They will have completed a water skills based course, a week in a mountain environment with tramping, river rafting, ropes courses, confidence building and team work activities, as well as a snow experience with snow skills including snowboarding and/or skiing. Senior students specialising in Outdoor Education often assist on the junior programme so that leadership skills can also be practised. The senior Outdoor Education programme involves travel over the South Island and skills training to advanced levels.
We are also well known for our quality agriculture courses and events. The yearly Young Farmer contests are hotly contested while whole families participate in the local Agriculture and Pastoral Show held in the Showgrounds next to the school each year.
Another unique feature of Oxford Area School is our observatory that supports the astronomy components of the science classes with educational materials and observation opportunities.
New Zealanders love sport and competing so you can join in too. We have teams in most sports and participate in local, regional and New Zealand competitions. Actually some of the highlights of our school year are the New Zealand Area School tournaments we participate in.
We are also a creative nation, with a passion for music, dance and art. Oxford Area School’s has a new purpose designed dance/drama studio for classes, productions and shows. Various forms of art can be taken as school subjects such as photography, painting, design and visual communication. Community clubs teach dance classes.
Our homestays are all local families either walking distance to school or on the school bus routes. One of the special things about going to a New Zealand rural school is nearly everyone busses to and from school. You will wait at the gate and the school bus will pick you up.
Our international students are well looked after, with dedicated international staff. With such small numbers you can be assured of personal attention.
We would love to hear from you soon and would welcome an application.
Please look at the slideshow below.
Charlotte Davis
Director of International
international@oxford.school.nz
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