Education and Schools in New Zealand
In most circumstances, your children will attend the local school they are zoned for. If you choose to live outside the zone of your preferred school, your children may not get places - particularly if the school is a popular one with a reputation for high standards. Spare places at popular schools are allocated by ballot.
Exceptions to zoning may include attendance at a school with a special character - such as a religious school.
School rules are set by the Board of Governors. The Board is elected by parents. School rules usually mean that school-uniform is compulsory at secondary school. In addition to wearing the uniform, pupils / students usually must not wear make-up, jewellery, unusual hair colourings, nose-piercings, etc, etc.
In addition to the state sector, there is also a flourishing private education sector.
Children who attend any of the better state schools in New Zealand receive a very good education.
Most children start Year 1 on their fifth birthday.
>> Primary schools teach Year 1 to Year 6 children.
>> Intermediate schools teach Years 7 and 8.
>> "Full Primaries" teach Year 1 to Year 8 children.
>> Secondary schools teach Year 9 to Year 13.