Matakana/Warkworth Schools
 

Hi there,
We are getting ready to relocate to NZ after having been expats for 11 years. We have lived in Auckland as partners but not with kids. Having done the city life in Auckland, we really want to live further out and have a lifestyle plot. Relatives in auckland are pushing for the north shore though, saying there are better schools. We have been to look at Matakana primary, Snells Beach Primary as well as Mahaurangi College over christmas. If any of you live in that area or have lived in the area or know people who do, could you give me some local knowledge of the schools and their reputation? Any issues to be aware of? We have four children (boy, aged 12, girl aged 9, girl aged 7 and girl aged 5). I think MC would fit my son, but it seemed a very 'boys school' and couldn't picture my girls attending there but we had a very superficial look and school wasn't in session.

Many thanks and I am very grateful for your time and helping us with such a big move!!!

Kind regards,
Lori

Re: Matakana/Warkworth Schools
 

I can't help with MC (although I've never heard anything bad about it), but Snells Beach primary is a fab little school! Teachers are great, kids are happy.
One of my family has a child there and all the family is very happy with the school.
It has an excellent reputation.
All the teachers seem very capable and the principal is a lovely lady.

The School has a Living Values programme that has a different theme each term - I think it was 'Love' last term. The kids love it.

The standard of education seems good, and they do heaps of fun stuff as well - especially with the beach just down the road!

If you go to the schools website, you'll be able to view some of the newsletters in the archive.

Re: Matakana/Warkworth Schools
 

Go here and see the Ministry of Education report on Snells Beach Primary.
You can click on the categories on the right, or download the report.

http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childho...ool-24-06-2011

Re: Matakana/Warkworth Schools
 

http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childho...ool-12-04-2011


Matakana

Re: Matakana/Warkworth Schools
 

http://www.ero.govt.nz/Early-Childho...ege-18-09-2012

Mahurangi college

Re: Matakana/Warkworth Schools
 

Thanks Mary for the feedback on Snells. We are looking at a house just across the road, so that would certainly be handy to be so close.

How does your family like the area? Do they work in Warkworth or commute to Auckland? My husband would commute, but I work from home and am hoping to start a business.

Thanks for all the links, I have looked at MC's report previously. It seems to be doing well.

Kind regards,
Lori

Re: Matakana/Warkworth Schools
 

Hi Lori,

We all love Snells :)

My husband works in Maungaturoto about 40 minutes north and is a shift worker so doesn't often meet much traffic. (He used to work in Onehunga - that journey was too much in the end)

Our son in law works in the city and commutes every day. It IS a hike, but he leaves about 5:30 am in an effort to miss the heavy traffic and tries to be back in Snells by about 4pm.
He does find it a drag sometimes though, but I think living in such a great area for the kids makes up for it somewhat!

So if your husband has any sort of flexi hours that would certainly help!
It's not unusual for folk from here, Wellsford and even Mangawai to commute to the city every day.

There are no 'bad' areas in Snells, but the cheaper houses are definitely on the other side of the main road (same side as the school), and I guess you would say there a a lot of rentals on that side, which tends to make it less desirable. Don't get me wrong, there is noting wrong with that!, but that side does tend to have the 'stigma' of being the cheap, older and slightly more tatty side, so if you're looking at capital gain, that's not the side to buy on. A whole street of rentals can look tattier than a whole street that is owner occupied.

But all of Snells is safe - I'd happily walk around any part of it very late at night by myself.

Anything else, just ask!

Mary