New Enrolments
We are a school that is in a unique position to offer education with a rural twist. We value learning that is connected to the natural systems that sustain our world. We uphold Te ao Māori kaupapa respecting the past, valuing the present and striving towards a sustainable future.
enrolment pack - download
enrolment information
Providing a smooth transition to school for you and your child.
Before-School Visits: Preschoolers will visit for up to 6 sessions before officially starting school. Our Office Administrator will arrange these visits with you. During these visits, you can collect your enrolment forms, Information Book and student stationery from the Office.
These visits are set out as follows:
2 visits up to morning tea break
2 visits up to lunch break
2 visits for the whole day
These visits are designed to be spread out over 6 weeks with one visit per week on a set day. The day for preschool visits is a Thursday but can be changed to suit daycare or work commitments.
We also run open days for preschoolers and their whānau. Term 4 dates to be advised.
Start Dates: New entrant children may start school on or after their 5th birthday.
Enrolment Process - to enrol a student, on or after their 5th birthday, we will require the following:
A copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport (to confirm date of birth and NZ citizenship or residency)*
A copy of your child’s immunisation record (if applicable)
A copy of any court documents relating to access or custody (if applicable)
*A separate process is required for international students - please contact the school.
You will complete enrolment forms for the school, as well as for the WDHB Dental Service, and you will complete a Digital Citizenship Agreement for your child (regarding the safe and responsible use of computers, other IT devices and the internet).
All enrolment forms are available at the school Office. Please note: children will not be able to attend school until all paperwork has been completed and returned to the Office.
For children transferring from another school in New Zealand, we will contact that school to confirm that students have enrolled at a new school and request their academic information for our teachers.
How can I help my child get ready for school?
There are lots of things you can do.
Get your child used to the school or kura
Here are some ideas to help your child become familiar with the school or kura:
visit the school or kura with your child
get the principal and teacher to meet your child
arrange some settling in visits with their teacher before their first day
have a play at the school in the weekend - run around, climb on the playground equipment, kick a ball on the field
Talk to the teacher about your child
When teachers know children well they are better able to support their learning. Talk to the teacher and let them know things like:
if your child has any special health needs, and what to do
what your child likes to do, what they are good at and what makes them happy
after-school plans and who picks up your child when you can’t
anything that might affect how your child is feeling.
The teacher might also appreciate you sharing your child's portfolio or profile book from their ECE service or Kōhanga Reo. This will give the teacher valuable information about your child's learning, and can also link up your child's early childhood, home and school or kura experiences.
Teach your child the practical skills they'll need
Before your child starts school, it's helpful if they can:
do up their shoes
put on and take off their coats
go to the toilet and wash their hands
blow their nose
unpack and hang up their bags where they are told
recognise when they are thirsty and get a drink of water
ask for things they need.
Help them get ready to learn
They may find it easier to participate in the class if they:
can sit on a chair at a table for a short time to complete an activity
are comfortable being away from you
know how to take turns, and wait for things
know the names of colours
know the letters of the alphabet
know the numbers 1 to 9
can hold a pencil correctly and use scissors
can write their name
are able to hold a picture book and turn the pages carefully.
Checklists for starting school and getting settled
Starting school or kura for the first time or beginning a new school is a new and exciting stage for all the family. These checklists cover some of the important things to help the first days run smoothly. They are also useful for settling your child in at the start of each new school year.
In your child’s school bag
Lunch and a water bottle. Get your child to help you pack their lunchbox. Talk about what is for morning tea and what is for lunch.
Pencils, exercise books, and other supplies the school has asked your child to bring. Some schools and kura provide a list before school starts, others will give you a list in the first week.
In the spring and summer terms, a sun hat and sunblock (it's a good idea to apply sunblock at home before they leave as well).
In the autumn and winter terms, a warm hat and some extra layers in case it gets really cold.
Their name on everything particularly hats, shoes and sweatshirts. Show your child where to look for their name on their clothes.
A change of clothes. This can be reassuring for a child starting school or kura for the first time, especially if they prone to toileting accidents.
In the morning before you leave
Get up early so that you have plenty of time to get ready and your child doesn't feel rushed and stressed.
Have a nutritious breakfast.
If there is no school uniform, choose clothes and shoes that are easy for your child to manage by themselves.
Allow plenty of time for getting to school or kura. On the way chat about what they think their day will be like and what they want to do when they get home.
When you get to school
Go into the classroom and say hello or kia ora to the teacher with your child.
Tell the teacher about after school arrangements if you won't be the person picking your child up - although it can help them settle in quicker if you can pick them up for the first few times .
Show or remind your child where the toilets are and any other place it is important to know about, such as where they will be collected at the end of the day.
It helps children to feel they belong if they know other children. Make a point of stopping to chat with children and parents and/or carers you know as you arrive.
Make goodbyes short. Teachers have a lot of experience helping children to settle in and managing an upset child.
After school
If you pick up your child ask the teacher how their day went.
Expect your child to be very tired in the first few weeks. Make time when you get home to just hang out. They might need to run around outside, chill out on a bean bag with some picture books, or just collapse in front of the TV.
Don't schedule in lots of afternoon activities to begin with - let them just get used to their new routines first.
Offer them a nutritious afternoon tea. They will probably be very hungry!
Let them adjust to being at home before asking too much about their day. It's a lot easier to get children of any age to talk about their day when they are doing something else with you – helping to make dinner, tidying up, or drying the dishes.
Have a space where school papers goes – this is the beginning of you being inundated with newsletters, permission slips, parent help requests etc. It's useful to make the space close to a calendar so you can write in important dates.
Make a time to read together. Some schools will send home a reading book to share on the first day – others may not. But get in the habit of having some shared reading every day, right from the start.