Uniform

Year 13 girls may be given permission not to wear uniform but this is at the discretion of the Board of Trustees each year. Other students must wear the correct uniform and keep it clean and neat. The winter uniform is a green, red and brown tartan kilt, white long sleeved blouse, green tie, red jersey and either a green blazer or green polar fleece jacket. The summer uniform is a green and white checked dress. Shoes are brown leather, low heeled, lace-up shoes, not boots. White socks are worn. There is a special sports uniform. By law, all girls who ride bicycles are required to wear a helmet. You will be informed of uniform costs when your enrolment is confirmed. Most of the uniform can only be purchased in Christchurch. You can bring white short and long socks from home and white long sleeved shirts that a tie can be worn with.

Rules for Overseas Students

Students must abide by the laws of New Zealand and the rules of the school. Students must be covered by Health and Travel Insurance. This can be arranged through the school. Students must attend all classes and be punctual. If they are away through illness their homestay parent must ring school by 8.30am in the morning explaining the absence. Students must show consideration for all staff and for other students. They must co-operate with teachers instructions at all times. A student may only use drugs prescribed by her doctor. The use of illegal drugs at any time or in any place will mean that the student is expelled from school, the Immigration Department informed and the student returned to her home country. Smoking is forbidden at school, at school functions and anytime the student is wearing school uniform. Alcohol is never to be consumed at school or brought to school or to school functions. A student may not own or drive a car without an International Driver's Licence or a New Zealand Licence. She must have written permission from both her parents and her homestay parents and abide by the requirements of New Zealand law. Any student driving to school must have a permit from the school and must not drive passengers while on a restricted licence.

Travel

Students travelling in New Zealand and overseas while enrolled at Avonside must have permission from their parents, homestay parents, and the school before they make their final bookings to travel. (Unless travelling between home and school). They must have permission from the Director of International Students or the Homestay Co-ordinator at least three weeks before going away on holiday and must give homestay families at least two weeks notice. These rules are designed to keep you safe.

Homestay Rules

A student must show respect for her host family and act as a member of the family. She is expected to help with light household duties. Household rules for meals, use of telephone, internet etc must be respected. If a student is going out she must tell the homestay parent where she will be. She must be home at a reasonable time that is agreed to by the homestay parent. Students are not permitted to go flatting. (That is, they may not live in accommodation without homestay supervision). The school will make every effort to ensure that the student is happy in her homestay family. If problems arise the student should discuss these with the Homestay Co-ordinator. She must not change her homestay without the permission of the Co-ordinator, and time must be allowed to complete police checks on her new accommodation.

Guardian

Students are recommended to have a Guardian who lives in Christchurch, and can assist them at anytime. This can be very useful at least for the first year of enrolment, and if the parents in their home country speak little or no English.