ponyo

Hello there all

Hopefully someone can help me with my question.........

I have just joined this forum (as my family and I are planning to move to Wellington this year) and I have a question for a current or informed teacher who works with children between school years 1 and 10.

It is with regard to outside activities taking place on school premises. Do schools offer pre-registration or after school activities/classes etc ?

(I have lots of other questions and I'm still trying to familiarise myself with forum layouts and etiquette!).

Many thanks

AndyEvs

It is pretty much the norm for schools to offer extra curricular activities (ECAs) in a whole range of things. My school even devotes one afternoon a week to them in addition to the after school stuff. I think you will find kids in NZ have a greater range of choice and activities than in many UK schools, but it will depend on the particular school.

ponyo

Many thanks AndyEvs

I assumed that was the case but I haven't had my boots on the ground in NZ yet, so thanks for the help. With regard to the ECA's that 'your' school has, are they externally sourced or are they supplied by the school ?

I supply a certain type of ECA in my home country and so am interested to know if there is a market in NZ for additional (complimentary) studying.

Thanks again for any help.

M_and_M

I am a teacher heading to southland in a few months, feel free to stay in touch.

AndyEvs

Ponyo, not sure if I totally understand your question. ECAs are provided by teaching staff as part of their contract. For those that coach teams beyond the weekly timetabled session there is a small reimbursement in terms of a grant towards sporting gear. We generally don't 'employ' people to provide ECAs externally, although high schools may well pay coaches for 1st teams in high profile sports.
There is far less money in NZ schools than the UK, made worse this year by budget cuts to every school to bail Christchurch out.

jmh

If you're talking about activities run by other people you could have a look at skids: http://www.skids.co.nz/

In low decile areas they often manage to get funding which makes it very cheap for parents. I think they pay the school to use their facilities. I've heard they are pretty good.

ponyo

Thank you AndyEvs, jmh and M_and_M (plain or nuts?!)

I may take you up on your kind offer M_and_M.


Your answers have helped enormously, I need to research a little further to compare the ,if any, differences between the UK and NZ rules and regulations for an outside provider operating within schools.

I am not a teacher (please don't hate me if you are) and I simply supply a service to my students on their school premises. It's a private financial arrangement between 'me' and the 'parents'. The school benefits in many ways, but the financial cost is paid for by the parents. It has been a tough time in the UK too since 2008/9.

Am looking forward very much to our new move, just awaiting confirmation of a few things (hope it is sooner rather than later) and we are off. Have lots to research regarding everyday stuff etc, the excitement is certainly building.

School budgets here have taken a mauling, but it didn't take an awful natural disaster to impact schools here, just the Bullingdon Club........

Many thanks again.

jmh

This might be one of your competitors (or perhaps a franchise opportunity?)

http://www.kipmcgrath.co.nz/

ponyo

HaHa thanks for that jmh

There are 'competitors' here too. I have always found that parents know what is best (and what works) for their children, schools do too.

I'm sure what is offered in NZ is the same as the UK. Which is great news.

Wheat and chaff springs to mind !!!