Ross Preece.The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic will continue to be felt into the 2021 school year, with Ashburton College watching as $100,000 is carved from its income now the well of international students has dried up.

Principal Ross Preece counts himself lucky that the school’s international students number only 20 each year; many schools count their numbers in 100 or more and that will equate to a significant drop in funds, he said.

“We’re planning on zero students next year and every other secondary school will be in the same boat, but we’re fortunate in that we are not overly dependent on them.

“We can cope with $100,000 less.”

Three staff were involved with the international student programme and they had all been redeployed in other areas of the school, Preece said.

When the door opened to students from overseas, New Zealand was likely to be a winner against many other countries, he said.

“Our agencies in Germany for example, have students queuing up to come to New Zealand.

“This has enhanced our reputation as a safe country.

“Unlikely as it seems, the Covid crisis will be a benefit for us with our international marketing.”

High demand from students for places in New Zealand schools is unlikely to see the college up its numbers, however, with Preece saying he preferred to stick within the ministry’s recommended number guidelines of 5 per cent of the school roll.

A year without any international students, however, would definitely change the flavour of the school, he said.

The pandemic will also see the college put all off-shore school trips on hold for the next year.

By Sue Newman © The Ashburton Guardian - 18 December 2020