Mount Aspiring College’s (MAC) “little global community” of international students will be missed following the board of trustees’ decision to close the school’s international language centre (ILC).

The ILC had been under review for a number of months, part of a suite of issues being reviewed by the board and limited statutory manager Madeleine Hawkesby. 

The decision to close the ILC, from December 8 this year, follows the COVID-19 lockdown and resulting closure of the nation's borders, MAC acting principal Dean Shepherd announced yesterday (Tuesday September 8).

The decision to close the centre, which was established around 25 years ago, and dissolve “such a long-standing and culturally rich programme” was not an easy one, Dean said.

“The Board has been forced to make a very difficult decision, under rather challenging circumstances. The ILC has added a wonderful cultural dimension to the college and the foreclosure of this programme is truly regrettable, but ultimately necessary,” he said.

The ILC has added “a wonderful cultural dimension” to the college, the acting principal said. PHOTO: Supplied

“The current climate combined with uncertainty of international students being allowed to enter the country in the near future have rendered this programme fiscally unsustainable.”

The school has catered for international students with their own centre, with two classrooms, a lounge, kitchen and bathroom facilities. The centre is staffed by a full-time manager who assists students with their pastoral arrangements such as homestay, visas and travel. The centre also employs fully qualified English teachers as required for small group English tuition.

Dean Shepherd told the Wanaka App the college is “working through the employment implications” with the ILC’s two full time staff members. 

“They will not necessarily be made redundant,” he said.

The spaces used for the ILC will continue to be utilised, he said. For the remainder of the year, one of them will be used for ongoing ESOL (English for speakers of another language) support for the remaining international students and migrant students. Another space will be used by the guidance team.

Dean thanked the ILC staff, homestay families and businesses for their support and dedication over the years, describing the closure as “somewhat an end of an era with regards to international students”.