Enrolment Information
“Nurturing Life Long Learning – Whangaia ngā akoranga mō āke tonu atu"
Our goals for you and your child are to:
If you are living outside the school's zone, it is only possible to secure a place at the school if there is a vacancy via the Ministry of Education Out of Zone Enrolment/Ballot process (see Out of Zone enrolment due dates below).
PLEASE note all inzone addresses need to be verified. This can be done by producing a document such as a tenancy agreement or a phone/power bill with your name and address on it.
Please note if you already have children at Te Kura o Ōpāwaho - Opawa School and are out of zone, you will still need to complete an Out of Zone enrolment form for any children yet to begin Te Kura o Ōpāwaho - Opawa School.
You will need to obtain an Out of Zone enrolment form by collecting one from the school office.
Once the application deadline closes, you will receive an email/letter in the following 3-5 school days, informing you of the outcome.
Click here to view the information on the Ministry of Education website.
Starting school
Starting school is a huge milestone in a child’s development. We’re here to help you and your child prepare for school.
Most children in New Zealand start school on or shortly after their fifth birthday, although school is not compulsory until they are six.
For all new children beginning at Te Kura o Ōpāwaho - Opawa School, you can help them prepare for school by making contact with the school well in advance of their 5th birthday. At this time enrolment can be completed and opportunities for pre visits can be organised. Visiting their new school outside of school hours is another way of helping your child transition successfully.
Enrolling
Contact the school office and enrol your child as soon as you can. For New Entrant children (5 year olds) we encourage you to do this well before they turn five – if there are younger siblings, it’s good to provide their details as well.
For all New Entrants you will need to bring either their birth certificate, or passport, and any immunisation information you have.
You will be contacted to organise some times to come and have classroom visits, so that your child experiences what it will be like when they start school.
For all other children, it is helpful to bring their books and any relevant information from their previous school.
Pre-visits for New Entrants (5 year olds)
Our goals for you and your child are to:
- establish respectful, positive & open relationships.
- foster a sense of belonging, wellbeing and feeling valued at Te Kura o Ōpāwaho - Opawa School .
- recognise and acknowledge your cultural and family beliefs.
- engage your child in learning in a fun and success orientated way.
- celebrate your child’s learning success and support next step learning.
If you are living outside the school's zone, it is only possible to secure a place at the school if there is a vacancy via the Ministry of Education Out of Zone Enrolment/Ballot process (see Out of Zone enrolment due dates below).
PLEASE note all inzone addresses need to be verified. This can be done by producing a document such as a tenancy agreement or a phone/power bill with your name and address on it.
Please note if you already have children at Te Kura o Ōpāwaho - Opawa School and are out of zone, you will still need to complete an Out of Zone enrolment form for any children yet to begin Te Kura o Ōpāwaho - Opawa School.
You will need to obtain an Out of Zone enrolment form by collecting one from the school office.
Once the application deadline closes, you will receive an email/letter in the following 3-5 school days, informing you of the outcome.
Click here to view the information on the Ministry of Education website.
Starting school
Starting school is a huge milestone in a child’s development. We’re here to help you and your child prepare for school.
Most children in New Zealand start school on or shortly after their fifth birthday, although school is not compulsory until they are six.
For all new children beginning at Te Kura o Ōpāwaho - Opawa School, you can help them prepare for school by making contact with the school well in advance of their 5th birthday. At this time enrolment can be completed and opportunities for pre visits can be organised. Visiting their new school outside of school hours is another way of helping your child transition successfully.
Enrolling
Contact the school office and enrol your child as soon as you can. For New Entrant children (5 year olds) we encourage you to do this well before they turn five – if there are younger siblings, it’s good to provide their details as well.
For all New Entrants you will need to bring either their birth certificate, or passport, and any immunisation information you have.
You will be contacted to organise some times to come and have classroom visits, so that your child experiences what it will be like when they start school.
For all other children, it is helpful to bring their books and any relevant information from their previous school.
Pre-visits for New Entrants (5 year olds)
- During these visits, your child will get a glimpse of the normal routines of a school day. You will stay with your child during these visits and it will also help you to know what happens in the classroom.
- Visits are usually on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8.50-9.50am. Most children have 2-3 visits. If these days and times don’t suit, we are happy to discuss alternatives.
- Children starting in the first week or two at the beginning of the year, are invited to join our Discovery programme on the last two Fridays in December.
- Kindy/Pre-school visits are made by New Entrant teachers and phone calls to you and the pre-school providers, help build a picture of your child.
- Children can choose to wear their uniform or not, when visiting.
- All parents of children beginning school are invited to a Transition to School Hui the term before your child begins, to familiarise you with Te Kura o Ōpāwaho - Opawa School and answer any questions you may have.
Out of zone enrolments
If you are out of zone and have children at Te Kura o Ōpāwaho - Opawa School who have younger siblings yet to begin school, you will still need to complete an ‘Out of Zone’ application. If you have not already done this, application forms are available from the school office. Please note that Out of Zone applications for 2024 have closed.
Out of Zone applications for 2025 are as follows:
Term 1 (3rd Feb - April 11), 2025 close at 4pm Wednesday 18th Sept 2024.
Term 2 (28 April - 27 June), 2025 close at 4pm Wednesday 12th March 2025.
Term 3 (14 July - 19 Sept), 2025 close at 4pm Wednesday 28th May 2025.
Term 4 (6th Oct - 17th Dec), 2025 close at 4pm Wednesday 20th August 2025.
2026: Term 1 (Feb - April 2), 2026 close at 4pm Wednesday 15th October 2025.
We would also actively encourage all families with pre-school children, both out of zone and in zone, to notify the school office as soon as possible. This is very important in assisting us with future planning.
Out of Zone applications for 2025 are as follows:
Term 1 (3rd Feb - April 11), 2025 close at 4pm Wednesday 18th Sept 2024.
Term 2 (28 April - 27 June), 2025 close at 4pm Wednesday 12th March 2025.
Term 3 (14 July - 19 Sept), 2025 close at 4pm Wednesday 28th May 2025.
Term 4 (6th Oct - 17th Dec), 2025 close at 4pm Wednesday 20th August 2025.
2026: Term 1 (Feb - April 2), 2026 close at 4pm Wednesday 15th October 2025.
We would also actively encourage all families with pre-school children, both out of zone and in zone, to notify the school office as soon as possible. This is very important in assisting us with future planning.