School terms times etc
 

Hi all,

The kids asked me at the weekend what school are like over there, what time do they start finish term times that kind of thing, is it the same as UK?

I'm moving out a few months before the family so I have time to get all this together, but they are very excited and keep asking question that are not based around my work so I don't know yet :rofl:

Re: School terms times etc
 

Why can't you google some schools in the area you are moving to and you can show them.

https://sites.google.com/hobsonvillepoint.school.nz/hps

Re: School terms times etc
 

Kids start school on or around their 5th birthday, there are no reception classes here. there are primary, intermediate, full primary and college. primary are year 1-6, intermediate 6-8, full primary 1-8, college 9-13. (they go to college when they are around 13yrs old)

school generally starts at 9 ends at 3. college 8.50 - 3.15 with late start on thurdays, 10am.

4 terms beginning in late Jan, early Feb - April 2 week break, April/May - July, 2 week break, July - Sept, 2 week break, Oct - Dec. 6 week break. terms can be 9-12 weeks long.

https://www.govt.nz/browse/education...hool-holidays/

Re: School terms times etc
 

Primary children can start on their 5th birthday and are known as year 0. Some schools start at 9, some slightly earlier. Finish times depend on how long breaks are during the day - can be 2.30pm. The beginning of the school year (Jan/Feb) and the end of the year dates are slightly flexible ie if you start later in Feb then you finish later in Dec. In all the school must do a certain amount of days and hours - 40 weeks per year.

High School or College have slightly shorted terms, probably because of slightly longer days. If your child is already in High School they may join a different year level here. I found our local High School very accommodating.

Not all Primary schools have uniform.

Most schools have a good website or Facebook page, or go on Google and look around the outside and then look from above at the outside space. Most schools are also zoned so when looking for a house make sure you check that.

It is very exciting and can be a bit daunting too. We chose to get a house within walking distance of the High School so that we didn't add the stress of new buses into the mix. Once they can drive - at 16!! - you can move further out of town.

I'm a Primary school teacher here so if I can help just ask away ;)

Re: School terms times etc
 

Hi. I have few questions if you don't mind, I thought I'll use that Thread instead of opening a new one.

If we arrive in NZ it will be probably around April. How difficult would it be to enroll our daughter to a primary school at that time? Is it possible to join in the middle of a term?

The other, even more significant question is, since our daughter (and us) are not British and English is not our first language, how would that affect enrollment to a school? Our daughter is 6 years old (will be 7 in October), her English is basic, she can introduce herself and that's pretty much it. She will be eligible to go to a state school as a domestic student based on our visas. Is it possible for her to get enrolled just like every other kid or will she need to go to special English classes first? Are there any programs (like staying after classes each day etc.) in schools to help non-English speaking children with the language? Have you ever come across a situation like this?

Thanks for help!

Re: School terms times etc
 

Google is great, but hearing experiences etc and opinion is always nice, I find it's a better way to put things across to the kids, that's why I ask on here, I can google all day long, or I can ask people on here who like to answer and give more in depth answers at that.

Thanks everyone, I'm arriving in March, kids in may.

Re: School terms times etc
 

What languages is she fluent in?

Re: School terms times etc
 

Polish

Re: School terms times etc
 

Ok well depending on the expats in the surrounding area will probably depend on how easy this is. Auckland North Shore for instance has a large Korean community and many primariy schools have regular intake of nearly Korean-only speakers. I’m not aware of any specific in-school assistance however so I’d plan to lift her English as far as you can before arrival as in-school translation isnt likely to be available (from school, teachers or classmates)...you should also look at language classes after you arrive in my opinion as that age is a hard one for schooling in a different language without slipping behind...

Re: School terms times etc
 

There's quite a large Polish community in Auckland. Google up some groups on FB. And kids are really fast learners at that age. Are you coming straight out of Poland? Powodzenia:)

Re: School terms times etc
 

Schools run esol classes to get children up to speed - noting that by nature they pick up the language quickly from interaction with other kids.

Not sure on visa but should be where ever you fall in to a school zone they have to take you regardless of time of year. We had student arrive last week of term 4 who literally just had enough time to get to know other names before the summer break.

Re: School terms times etc
 

This is very good advice.

Her enrollment will not be affected if your visa allows it. The local government school is compelled to accept anyone in the intake area.

However, their ability to provide support for an ESL student of very limited English skills is going to be highly variable, and unless there is a strong Polish community where you are going to be, I believe you should go in assuming it will be inadequate.

Your daughter is also going to likely be extremely frustrated at not being able to access both lesson material and social life due to the language issues.

Do what you can to get her English up.

Re: School terms times etc
 

PS - Further, it is a normal situation.

I would also suggest you contact whatever Polish cultural institutions are around, and seek advice from them.

Re: School terms times etc
 

My 5 year old asks everyday now "when are we going to new Zealand dad?"

Re: School terms times etc
 

Thanks guys, that's really helpful.

I'm coming from UK and they would come straight from Poland. Dzięki :)


We are working on it and will help her once she starts school. We've been through a similar situation in the past, shortly after she was born we emigrated to Scandinavia for 4 years. When we came back to PL and put her into kindergarten she struggled to speak Polish, spoke Norwegian instead or was pointing finger at things not knowing how to name them :ohmy: She got over it eventually, I'm sure it will be the same this time.

Re: School terms times etc
 

ESOL children are assessed by their classroom teacher for funding purposes based on certain criteria - listening, speaking, reading, writing etc. They are given a score for each area and then funding can be applied for depending on the results. This happens each term. At the primary school I teach at, we have a part-time ESOL teacher who runs classes during school time for students.

We have lots of ESOL students - mainly from the Pacific Islands, China and India, but also South Africa and a few from Europe. I find understanding comes first and gradually they start to speak (first to their friends) and later to the teacher etc. Reading and writing is a bit slower (but fair enough!).

It's a great skill to be bilingual, and we always encourage parents to maintain the first language, even if it means their understanding/use of English takes a bit longer.

Re: School terms times etc
 

The uniform for summer is usually shorts for the boys right up to year 13
This came as a real shock to my eldest when we arrived

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I always feel sorry for the older boys; it just seems plain wrong seeing hairy grown 'men' getting out of their cars etc. in school shorts and roman sandals.

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Shorts all year round for the kids up here.

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But every man wears shorts all the time too! Just they add gumboots or work boots as they get older. ;)

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Most of the male teachers at my kids’ primary school wear shorts for much of the year.

Re: School terms times etc
 

Yes, this is quite common, including in the high schools.

In Western Australia, the Department of Education banned denim (that rule came into force about a decade ago).