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.
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 and welcome an application.
Charlotte Davis
Director of International
international@oxford.school.nz
If you are interested in becoming a partner of Oxford Area School please contact the Director of International, Charlotte Davis at international@oxford.school.nz.
All fees are in New Zealand Dollars and include GST. Fees are reviewed by the Board of Trustees annually.
Fill out and sign the form (must be signed by student and parents).
Fill out and sign the form (must be signed by student and parents).
You and your child come and live with a New Zealand family and join a school community.
Once you are ready to apply to study at Oxford Area School, please follow the steps below.
The Code supports the wellbeing and safety of learners in Aotearoa. Find links to helpful information and resources for students and education providers
Fill out and sign the Primary Student or Secondary Student Contracts (must be signed by student and parents)
Please include a copy of your passport, your most recent school report (with a brief explanation in English), a letter of recommendation from the Principal or a teacher at your most recent school (in English)
Send the signed International Application and Tuition Agreement either: By email to international@oxford.school.nz By post to Oxford Area School, 52 Bay Road, Oxford 7430, New Zealand
We will let you know by email that we have received your application and we will consider it as soon as possible.
Successful applicants will be issued an invoice for fees and an Offer of Place.
You can then apply for your student visa.
New Zealand schools are focused on the learning of individuals and the classrooms are interactive and often fun. New Zealand teachers are dedicated to bringing out the best in your child.
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.
Christchurch is New Zealand’s second-largest city with a population of 450,000 and is the gateway to the South Island.
There is no-where else in the world within two hours of an international airport that you can ski at a world-class alpine resort, play golf, bungy jump, river raft, jet boat, mountain bike, ride in a hot-air balloon, wind surf, whale watch and swim with the dolphins.