Welcoming you to Catholic Cathedral College

International Orientation - Your first week on Campus

We want your first few days at Catholic Cathedral College to be filled with excitement, not stress. To ensure you feel completely at home, all new international students participate in a thorough, supportive Onboarding Programme during their first week with us. You will not be rushed straight into classes.

Here is how we guide you through your first few days to ensure you are fully prepared:

  • Campus & City Familiarisation: We will take you on a complete tour of our central city campus, locate your classrooms, and introduce you to our student support team, key teachers, and the College Principal.
  • Personalised Academic Planning: You will sit down with our specialist ESOL teacher to complete a gentle English language assessment. This helps us understand your unique learning needs and ensures we wrap the right language support around you. From there, we will help you select the elective subjects you genuinely want to study and finalize your personal timetable.
  • Digital & IT Onboarding: Our IT support team will get your personal laptop or device completely set up on the secure College network. We will activate your school email account, introduce you to our digital learning portals, and make sure you know exactly how to access your digital course materials and daily notices.
  • Mobile Connectivity (SIM Cards): Staying connected with your host family, your local friends, and your parents back home is vital. During your orientation, we will help you secure a local New Zealand SIM card (or eSIM) and assist you with selecting a budget-friendly pre-paid mobile plan so your phone is active and fully functional right away.
  • Your Personal "Kiwi Buddy": On day one, you will be paired with a friendly domestic student from your year level. Your buddy will show you around during morning tea and lunch, introduce you to their friends, and help you integrate quickly into our school community.
  • Uniform Fittings: We will take you to our uniform shop to get fully fitted out, or assist you with selecting items from our dedicated short-term uniform loan pool.
  • Practical Christchurch Admin: We make sure you are safe and connected outside of school, too. Our team will help you buy and set up your local Metrocard for the Christchurch bus network, and walk you through opening a local New Zealand bank account so you can manage your day-to-day pocket money safely.