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It took me quite some time to get used to the New Zealand system.
State schools: The Ministry of Education funds these schools; they own all the buildings, the land, pay the teachers salaries and the operational costs. These public schools have school zones and unless you live within that zone, your child will not be able to go to that school. House prices are high in areas close to ‘good’ state schools, but usually when you sell there is also a higher demand for your home.
Integrated schools: These are private schools but they receive government funding for the teacher's salaries, the school's assets will be in a trust and the parents and board of trustees will see to the other financial aspects of the school. These schools are in very high demand, have long waiting lists and have no zoning at all. As a general rule they are less expensive than private schools.
Private schools: It is quite common for parents in New Zealand to have children in private schools. These don't have zones and can regulate their own intake of pupils. Your street address has no relevance here and the parents pay for everything through fees.
Kindergarten
There is no central governing body for Kindergartens in New Zealand, but all their teachers must be qualified to government standards. Montessori is well known and several schools are available. Many are in geographical associations, such as “Kids First.” The Yellow Pages will list most of the kindergartens in the area.
Primary Schools
Equivalent to Elementary in the USA
It’s customary for children to start primary school as soon as they reach their fifth birthday (although legally they don’t have to attend school until they are six, few, if any, parents take up that option). That will be year one for them. If their birthday is late in the year then depending on the child they will remain in year one until the following year. Usually a child will be at least six months in year one before they move on to the next level. If, however, the child is really advanced they will move the child to the next level.
You will find that the school curriculum is from year 1 to 13.
- Year 1 to Year 6 is primary school level, year 1 is also known as new entrant level
- Year 7 is also known as Form 1, and it could be the first year of intermediate school
- Year 8 or Form 2 could also be the second year of intermediate school
- Year 9 or Form 3, this is the first year of high school
- Year 10 or Form 4, the 2nd year of high school
- Year 11 or Form 5, the 3rd year of high school
- Year 12 or Form 6, the 4th year of high school
- Year 13 or Form 7, the 5th year of high school
Tertiary Education
For comprehensive information about all levels of education, including Polytechnics, Universities, Teachers Colleges click this link.
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