A day in the life of an international student
Classes
Break time
More classes
Giving back
To the music studio
Staying active
8:30am
Classes
I knew I wanted to study IB as I’m hoping to study overseas, either psychology or neuroscience. We select six subjects, and we also study Theory of Knowledge, which encourages us to reflect on the nature of knowledge, participate in Creativity, Activity and Service, and write an extended essay. It’s quite similar to the Foundation Diploma we study in Year 11, so I felt well prepared for Year 12.
10:10am
Break time
At break I sit outside with my friends, or we go to the common room. I love that at St Margaret’s we have a strong community and that we study hard but we also have fun. It was easy to settle in when I joined in Year 8, the classes are small, it’s easy to get to know one another and the teachers and boarding staff are supportive.
10:35am
More classes
I’m studying English, maths, chemistry and psychology at higher level and music and language and culture at standard level. Language and culture is a pilot IB course covering linguistics, anthropology and indigenous languages, and we are the only school in New Zealand to be selected to participate.
12:40pm
Giving back
Service is a really important element of the IB, and giving back is valued throughout St Margaret’s. On Monday lunchtimes I volunteer at the library. I also tutor at Korean school each weekend, and I am co-executive director at Academ, established to support Muslim children affected by the Christchurch mosque attacks in their studies. I enjoy tutoring and building relationships with the girls and it’s satisfying to see them develop.
1:50pm
To the music studio
I’ve been learning the violin since I was a child and I practise mainly at the weekend. I’m in three orchestras, including the combined orchestra with our brother school Christ’s College. I’m also a Christchurch Symphony Orchestra ambassador for our school this year, which enables me to meet with ambassadors from other schools and attend exclusive rehearsals.
3:30pm
Staying active
I’ve been playing tennis since Year 9, just for fun, and we play social matches with girls from other schools after school. I also play badminton. It’s a great way to relax before I catch up on my studies.
