William Colenso College
Laugh Experience our unique outdoor education programme and have fun as you learn.
Learn Study in a friendly, culturally diverse and welcoming environment.
Live In sunny Napier, an attractive city close to the sea.
Love Making lifelong friends with our friendly staff, students and community.
Green Join our Green Initiative to help offset flights by donating to our local arboretum.
The great climate, beautiful beaches, mountains and rivers in our area are an adventure-seekers’ paradise. A fabulous
classroom for all students to experience our awesome outdoor education programme and have fun as you learn. You can participate in a range of outdoor activities such as kayaking, rock-climbing, caving, surfing, tramping and mountain biking.
Reach your academic potential via the New Zealand Curriculum in our friendly, culturally diverse and welcoming environment.
Māori culture is an intrinsic part of our school’s activities.
You will be welcomed with a pōwhiri (traditional Māori welcome) and you can learn Te Reo Māori (Māori language). Visual
and performing arts are also a strong part of the culture of the school.
Make friends with the local New Zealand students as well as other international students from all around the world.
Our Homestay Coordinator carefully matches you with a homestay family so you will have common interests and shared expectations and experiences. Most homestay families are within walking or biking distance to school.
| Type | Co-educational Secondary School |
| Age | Year 7-13 (12-18 year olds) |
| Total Roll | 400 students |
| International student roll | 20 international students |
| Length of programme offered | 2 weeks to 5 years |
| Accommodation | Homestay |
| Uniform | Uniform from Year 7-12 |
Website: colenso.school.nz/international
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554121062394
Instagram: www.instagram.com/colensointernationals
School brochure:
Contact Details:
Laura Jackson
Email: laura.jackson@colenso.school.nz
William Colenso College is a co-ed day school catering for boys and girls aged 12-18 year old (Years 7-13). William Colenso College has won many awards:
- 2007: Best Outdoor Education program in New Zealand
- 2013: Finalist Hawke’s Bay Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
- 2016: First school to ever receive Miniistry of Education commendation for having improved NCEA results for four consecutive years.
- 2017: Prime Minister’s Excellence in Education Awards – Finalist in three categories, winner of ‘Excellence in Leadership’.
- 2018” Prime Minister’s Excellence in Education Awards – winner ‘Education Focus’, becoming first school to ever achieve Prime minister’s Awards for two consecutive years.
It is a small school with 400 students in total, including about 20-30 internationals, mostly from Asia, Europe and USA.
Most international graduates go on to university studies in New Zealand, some return home to complete their studies and others go on to tertiary studies in Australia, Singapore, Europe, Canada or USA.
School provides general high school program with visual and performing arts being a particular strength. Wide range of sporting and cultural activities are available. We are well known and recognised regionally and nationally for outstanding Outdoor Education program.
Seaside, Napier city centre, airport and most homestays are within ten minutes of the school.
International department staff of six are dedicated to welfare and education of international students.
