anniiee

Hi,

Can I ask those of you with teenage children, how did you decide which school ?
I'm hoping to move to West Auckland region later this year, have looked at several school's on-line of course but how on earth do you decide which will be best ?

pricklykina

Whereabouts in West Auckland?

anniiee

Hi,

We are hoping to live in the Waitakere area....I've emailed the schools around that area, Henderson high, avondale and green bay. But it's difficult with no word of mouth so to speak
I guess I'll have to wait until we arrive then do a very quick reckie...

Tomsk

Sorry, I don't know anything about the schools in Auckland I'm afraid, so can't offer any advice about them, but I was in a similar situation in that I have 2 teenagers who I needed to find schools for. I, like you, searched websites, fretted over decile ratings & ERO reports, emailed schools and all of that, so I had formed some opinions as to which schools we might actually like. Then when we arrived we visited all the schools and ultimately my children chose their own school, which was highly convenient because one wanted the high school on the west side of the city...the other went to the one on the east side . The school run was interesting for the first few weeks...until we worked out the school bus routes
The children were accepted into schools very quickly, decision made and application forms in on thursday, turn up for lessons the following monday. And they love it, really well settled, made great friends, involved in so many school activities that it gets pretty ridiculous at times, and both seem to be progressing really well with their school work.
The only problem that you might encounter is zoning which applies in some areas I believe, in which case you would need to live in the right zone to qualify for a place at particular schools.
Good luck with it though. I hope that you can find the info that you want.

julesnye

There's a book you can buy that tells you about the different places to live in Auckland, covering school zone information and information about the different schools in each area.

However, I can remember what it's called


Here you go:

http://www.wheretoliveinauckland.co.nz/Default.aspx

someone is selling thios on ebay at the moment:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Where-to-Live-...0QQitemZ220386 940055QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090330?IMSfp=TL090330 125001r24024

However, the (end time 29-Apr-09 02:22:54 BST) so probably too late.

pricklykina

Avondale has had a good rep but there's talk these days as to whether this reputation is still relevant. I have heard mixed reviews.

Green Bay high...lots of people won't have a bar off as it was liberal and arty back in the day. HAs a uniform now and new principal who's committed to raising it to its heights apparently

Henderson...no idea.
There's Lynfield college but doesn't take many out of zoners and is a but like Avondale in that it has been well regarded in the past.