Sculpture says thank you to Kiwis

JOHN EDENS/151167

NOW WITH A LITTLE BIT OF KIWI FLAVOUR: Dunstan High School international director Jo Kys, Yoli Mzamane, 16, of South Africa, Kathrin Altegoer, 19, of Germany, Annika Altegoer, 16, sitting, Nina Muller, 16, of Germany, principal Dave Smythe and host Sharon Gilchrist.

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A group of international students unveiled a sculpture at Dunstan High yesterday to celebrate long-distance links with the school.

Four teenagers, three Germans and a South African, designed an Oamaru stone sculpture – Connections – to mark their time at the school and thank principal Dave Smythe, who retires in January.

Mr Smythe said international students, who generally stay for one academic year, could offer Kiwi pupils a different perspective.

"It's good for our children to understand that people think differently, it's good to be exposed to that."

Dunstan High School international director Jo Kys said 15 fee-paying overseas students who enrolled this year added an important cultural dynamic.

Yoli Mzamane, 16, of South Africa, said she enjoyed the relaxed student-teacher relationship in New Zealand.

The teaching style in South Africa was formal and strict, she said.

Sisters Kathrin Altegoer, 19, and Annika, 16, of Germany, said socialising was enjoyable because Kiwis were "very open" while it took some time to adjust to wearing uniforms.

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