I am grateful to have been an international student at Iona. I have been offered so many opportunities. 

"I am from China and studied at Iona College for five years. My years at Iona shaped me to grow into a stronger, more independent young woman. Iona offers a large variety of courses for Year 7 to 13 students, which, after my graduation, I found many students from other schools had not had these options. For example, Iona offers variety for the creative minded students with Fashion Technology, Drama, and Design. In Year 9, most courses were compulsory so we had a chance to give all subjects a try before deciding which one is our passion and pathway. From Year 11, many courses were taught in small class sizes giving students a more personalised experience. I found this extremely helpful. Students and teachers developed a strong bond and my teachers were able to work with me in a way that managed my workload. 

Teachers at Iona also encouraged learning opportunities to experience future pathways of each course. I was fortunate to go on trips with my Fashion Technology teacher and with my class to Wellington to watch the “World Of Wearable Art” performance. I also participated in Auckland Fashion Week which helped me hugely with my design work. The international department also encouraged me to become the best version of myself. When opportunities for leadership roles came up, the Director of International Students encouraged me to put my name forward for International Student Leader and Hastings Youth Council Representative. I think both leadership roles helped me with my personal growth.

Iona also offers a wide range of co-curricular options and programmes to look after students’ wellbeing and help students to explore their interest. Our Year 10 camp helped me develop my confidence and physical awareness, I practiced my public speaking in speech lessons and participated in many sports and cultural activities including volleyball, netball and choir. These courses helped me to grow into the person I am now; Iona influenced me more than I imagined a school could.

If international students are looking for an in-depth experience overseas, I would highly recommend Iona College."

Priyanit Jindapadungrat (Chacha)

- A parent's perspective.  

“Iona was the right choice of school and Chacha excelled in all areas; academic excellence, sporting, cultural and social. Chacha adapted quickly to the New Zealand culture, the English accent and the school's rules and regulations. She had good classmates and made many friends, including one who is now studying medicine also. She had a happy life at Iona College and particularly enjoyed the holidays when she stayed with her friends. Staying on a farm was a very memorable experience and one she would never have had the opportunity to enjoy if she had remained at home and studied in Thailand.

Teachers created a rich learning environment in the classroom and were very helpful and friendly. She developed confident public speaking skills which enabled her to make a positive impression when she was interviewed by Nottingham University before they accepted her as a student.

Mrs Edwards was a good advisor and helped her to find places to stay during holidays and a place for her to take IELTs exam, a compulsory exam when applying for the joint medical programme between Nottingham University and Srinakharinwirot University.

Thank you again to Iona College, the teachers and her friends."

Pornprasit and Vipavadee Jindapadungrat

Chacha is pictured celebrating her successes with her mother Vipavadee.

Iona College Dux now studying medicine at the University of Auckland

​​​​​​​Choosing to attend Iona College was definitely the best school decision I made when deciding to come to New Zealand to further my studies and broaden my horizons. Iona College has provided me with support in many different aspects of school and life. The most important one has to be academics, where I was guided by dedicated teachers and staff who excel in their field of teaching. The teachers at Iona have always given the students tremendous support and belief. It has boosted my confidence in my knowledge and abilities, enabling me to pursue my goals. I was surrounded by like-minded peers who pushed me to be better, both as a fellow classmate and as a friend. 

Moreover, I also got to experience boarding for the first time at Iona College. It was definitely a scary and intimidating first impression because everything was so new to me. However, friendships came easily as we all bonded over the tight-knit activities during the ‘Big Weekend In’ that brought about connection, leadership, and creativity. I was welcomed by a super friendly boarding cohort as well as kind and caring boarding staff who made my integration into my home away from home a very easy and memorable one.

Iona College was the best boarding school choice. 

Our daughter has just completed a term at Iona College, as part of an international learning programme. As we are from the UK, her aim was not to learn English, but to experience school life in a different country and immerse herself in the culture, sport, and wider activities. Iona could not have been more wonderful. The environment was incredibly nurturing, and the warmth shown by both students and staff was exceptional. From Geraldine in the International Department to the boarding staff, everything exceeded our expectations and gave us great confidence that our daughter had settled into a supportive environment where she could grow in confidence and resilience.She was very sad to leave this incredible school, having thoroughly enjoyed everything it had to offer, from the friendships and food to the subjects, House competitions, and the overall inspiring environment

Rebecca McEwen, mother of Floraidh McEwen 

Floraidh is pictured relaxing with friends in the Boarding House.  

There is an Old Saying in China “Teamwork is strength”

At Iona, there are many opportunities to work together. In China, we just work by ourselves. It is good that at Iona we help each other, not just think about ourselves because when we grow up we can’t just work by ourselves, we must work with others.

Elsa Zhou Year 7, China