Primary, Intermediate and Secondary Education

Enrolling your child or teenager in school is a new and exciting adventure for the whole family.  New Zealand has different types of schools – secular state schools (these tend to integrate both genders) while some charter schools and most Christian schools are single sex. It should be noted that Christian schools welcome students from all faiths and that Christianity is not a compulsory subject for non-Christian students in most faith-based schools.

 

A Community Navigator or a refugee liaison person will help you with the enrolment process and will advise you on the best type of school to meet your child’s needs. If necessary, they will arrange for an interpreter or use bilingual staff in the process. Families on arrival are given a school welcome information pack and an interview time. The pack should contain the following checklist which you should bring to the first meeting with the school:

 

❏ Passport or identification papers

❏ Any school reports or Centre for Refugee Education reports

❏ A completed bilingual information gathering form

❏ Any information about your health

❏ Proof of address e.g. a letter from your landlord, a bill

❏ Refugee Resettlement Centre student report (if relevant)

 

Ask your local school about how they support students through mentoring and additional peer support. You may also wish to contact the Ministry of Education’s Senior Advisers: Refugee and Migrant Support team for further information.

 

Primary schools, or elementary schools, cover the first eight years of mandatory schooling, and are typically attended by students aged 5-12. Elementary school welcomes parents and guardians in a friendly and caring manner. Children have the right to be treated with respect and affection, and to study in a safe environment which puts the child's development needs first. When a child is approaching the age of five, it is common for parents to take that child to visit the prospective future school in person at least once, as part of helping them get used to the idea of attending regularly. This can also be a good chance for parents to meet the staff and find out more about the school.

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Enrolment is a simple process, and the family can ask the school for an interpreter at any time, including to help smooth communication with the Principal and teachers.

There are different types of primary schools and intermediate schools

1. Most schools are publicly funded state schools that teach the national curriculum. There are Māori immersion options, to expose students to different cultures and languages, values and religious beliefs.

2. Private schools are independent, and normally require tuition fees to attend.

3. Primary schools cover a range from Year 1 to Year 6 (or Year 1 to Year 8).

4. Intermediate schools are middle schools for Years 7 and 8.

5. Composite schools have primary, middle and secondary schools in the same place.

6. Kura kaupapa Māori are Māori immersion schools, which use the Māori language as a means of instruction and teach between Years 1 and 8, (or 1 and 13).

7. Regional health schools are for students with serious health problems or who are recovering from an illness.

8. Special schools are for students with special needs or talents due to learning or discipline issues.

 

Home-schooling is an option for parents who want to take personal charge of their children's education, and teach them at home for some duration.