Why Choose Us
Why Henderson High School?
As a future-focused high-tech school using Google Classroom, our students receive individual guidance and attention, ensuring quality learning and strong academic results. The subjects and internationally recognised NCEA qualifications can lead to entrance to a New Zealand university or other tertiary institution, and on to careers with life-long opportunities.
We provide a friendly, supportive environment in a convenient location 20 minutes by motorway from Auckland CBD, and close to the beautiful Piha and Bethells Beaches and Waitakere Ranges. Other local facilities include a transport hub, arts and sports centres, movie theatres, swimming pools, parks, shopping malls, and picturesque cafes.
Make New Zealand friends and share your culture
Improve your English with our ESOL programme
Learn from our dedicated, enthusiastic and well-qualified teachers
Future-focused learning with Google Classroom
Emphasis on academic excellence
Superb, caring homestays
Well-equipped science laboratories for hands-on learning
Multi-purpose International Students Room
After school homework club
Quality sports and arts facilities
Park-like grounds with plenty of green space to enjoy games
Close to a large shopping mall and major bus and train stations
24/7 emergency assistance from the International Department
What We Offer
Activities Programme
International students are encouraged to take part in any of the numerous activities offered at the school. Drama, Music and Performing Arts are strong features of the school. We offer individual musical instrument instruction, musical performance groups and school productions. Students are encouraged to choose from the full range of individual and team sports and outdoor activities offered. The school also arranges local area orientation trips for international students.
Student Testimonials
Rintaro Konnai – Japan
Thao Doan – Vietnam
Oscar enjoys living with his host family. Oscar speaks four languages, Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese and English, which he uses to help our new students settle in.
He has many kiwi and international student friends. He says new students should try to speak English as much as possible to learn quickly and find friends to share this experience with.
Schools in Macau do not have a school ball so that was a new and exciting event. Math is the most interesting subject for Oscar because it is used to find solutions to real life problems.
Oscar plans to study Hospitality and Hotel Management in Switzerland where his multilingual skills will be a great benefit to him.
Oscar Wong – Macau
David’s teachers have great things to say about his commitment to his study.
He settled in extremely quickly and is a valued member of our student body, so much so that he was appointed as a Deputy Head Prefect.
Originally from Beijing, David has a great connection with his homestay family in New Zealand, and enjoys the short walk to school.
David says he likes the environment here and finds it easy to get along with other students. His interests outside the classroom include playing the Trumpet in the school band and representing the school in Badminton.
David plans to pursue his studies with a degree in Engineering when he graduates from Henderson High School.
David Wang – China
International Student Wataru came to New Zealand from Kobe in Japan and started in Year 11 and undertook NCEA Level 1. He has settled in well to school, making many New Zealand friends, and is particularly enjoying his science lessons.
Wataru is a conscientious student who works hard in all his subjects. He is building a good vocabulary and his English is improving, and he is fully immersing himself in New Zealand culture by also studying the Māori language at school.
If Wataru needs help with homework there is always someone to help him in his homestay family, either the three other children in the house or his homestay mother who is a teacher. Wataru likes his homestay family and they often go to the mall or go out walking together. He also commented that the house is nice and he likes the food!
“Henderson High School is very different from my school in Japan and I am enjoying the challenge of learning lots of new things. My favourite thing about it is the gardens and the greenery.”
Wataru Ito – Japan
International student and Prefect Sherry Zhang feels at home at Henderson High School, which she has been attending since she came to New Zealand from Shanghai five years ago. She settled in easily, learning English and making many New Zealand friends, and has immersed herself in school life, being selected as a student leader in Year 13.
Sherry’s academic results are exceptional, gaining NCEA Level 2 endorsed with Merit in Year 12, and also passing NCEA Level 3 in the same year. Her favourite subjects are Calculus and Statistics, and Sherry is also involved in playing badminton for the school.
Sherry likes her homestay family; she lives close enough to school for her to walk every day. She has been with her homestay family for the past three years and is looking forward to attending Auckland University where she plans to study Business.
“Henderson High School is a good school and people are friendly. My New Zealand friends are nice to me and the teachers are willing to help.”
Sherry Zhang – China
Before I came to New Zealand I looked on the internet to find a safe country where I could study and learn English. I wanted to be at a small school so I would not feel lost in the crowd and it would be easier to fit in.
My family was happy that Henderson High School has strict rules about behaviour and academic expectations so I was enrolled. Auckland has many cultures so I would feel included.
I feel that my English is getting better already and the ESOL class is helping me become more confident in speaking. I am studying Philosophy and PE for the first time and will be going on a day trip to the Auckland Art Galley with the Philosophy class. In Japan for PE we play sports but in New Zealand we also learn about theory and our body. I have joined the school hockey team.
My homestay family is busy with two small children who are lots of fun but a little bit noisy, it is just like normal family life. We go to play netball at the weekend and enjoy lots of different kinds of food like yummy nachos and spaghetti bolognaise. After high school I would like to enrol for a business degree.
To anyone considering coming to New Zealand to study I would just say “Try it, or you will never know what you can do”.
Miku Nakatsuku – Japan
My family wanted me to come to New Zealand to study because my uncle told us New Zealand has a good education system, the schools are modern and the air is clean and healthy. It is my first time away from Cambodia. I live near Henderson High School with my uncle and the rest of the family and we go out to visit nice places and friends on the weekends. This is good for me because I can still enjoy the Cambodian foods that I like.
I went to school in Poipet, Cambodia where there were more subjects and less holidays, but I was happy to be able to choose art and food technology among my subjects here which were not available in Cambodia. I read in English at home and go to ESOL class which has helped to improve my English. I want to become a chef. The other students and teachers are friendly to me and I have made a friend in class.
I enjoy my life in New Zealand but miss my motorcycle because I am not allowed to ride one here. Henderson High School is a good place for me and I like the extra activities like the Talent Quest which was held recently.
Kim Heng Tan – Cambodia
I came from Cologne in Germany for one semester. To begin with I was living in a homestay but then I made friends at school and was invited to live with their family. I have a lovely host mother and really like living there.
I came to New Zealand mainly to improve my English and learn about the country. I have enjoyed the different subjects I could choose to take here like Product Technology and Hospitality because they are more practical options. However my favourite subject is Physical Education because I love playing in the school Basketball team. Playing a sport here is a great way to quickly meet people and make friends. I enjoy joking with them and they are interested about what life is like in Germany.
Besides school I spend most of my time with my friends and playing basketball, basketball, BASKETBALL! At Henderson High School I have noticed that there are NCEA assessments all through the year so students know how well they are likely to do before the end of the year.
It is quite different from how school works in Germany, which is where I will be finishing my study. Soon I will be going home and have lots of good memories to take with me!
Timo Hardt – Germany
I came from Iloilo in the Philippines. I had heard that NZ was a peaceful country and it really is true! On my first day at Henderson High School the other students welcomed me even though I was really quiet. I soon found out that the New Zealand school system called NCEA is very different to what I was used to but I am on track to achieve my Level 3 certificate in year 13.
It made me happy when people asked me about my home country because it showed they were interested and accepted me. Sometimes I teach them words in my language in return. In the Philippines there were limited computers at school so not everyone could learn but here we are more advanced with Wi-Fi and plenty for everyone and we are all treated equally. I really like all my teachers and would rate them very highly – 9/10! They are always there for me if I need help. I really enjoy Design class and I am learning to use Photoshop to make magazines and posters.
I am so happy I chose Henderson High School and am proud to be at a good school. This is the place for me. If you come to Henderson High School don’t let shyness hold you back, come out of your shell and make friends!
Ruth Nochete – Phillipines
What Parents Say
Care and Supports
The International Department Staff are the first line of support for international students. The Director, Administrator/Dean and Homestay Coordinator work closely to ensure our students receive excellent pastoral care.
Henderson High School has an excellent International Student Ambassador Programme. Our International Student Ambassadors are domestic students who have been recommended by their year level Dean. They participate in leadership training that equips them with skills needed to best support our incoming international students. Our International Student Ambassadors take great pride in their roles and are dedicated to helping our international students settle into school and Aotearoa New Zealand.
The school has a well-established guidance network, there are two full-time guidance counsellors and two nurses.
Teachers, Head of ESOL, Careers Advisor and Deans provide additional support, for academics and career planning.
Accommodation
Homestay Families
We are very proud of our homestay accommodation service. International students are carefully placed with families who have similar interests, and we think they will fit in well with. Your homestay family will make you feel welcome and treat you like a family member.
Every homestay home is inspected, and each family member over 18 is police vetted.
Henderson High School is committed to providing every student with a safe and supportive homestay environment. Our homestay coordinator meets with all students living in homestay accommodation every two weeks.
Designated Caregivers (DCG)
Students may choose to stay with a Designated Caregiver. This is a relative or close family friend designated in writing by a parent or legal guardian of an international student under 18 years as the caregiver and accommodation provider for that student. Students may also stay with their parents or legal guardians.
Henderson High School still provides accommodation and pastoral care for international students in a DCG situation. The home is visited by our homestay coordinator, and each family member over 18 is police vetted. Our homestay coordinator meets with students living with a DCG every two weeks.