[Deb&Andy]

Hi, I'm Lorna I'm 11 years old and I'm the youngest in the family. I really want to talk to someone my own age who can tell me what the schools are like in Tauranga. Me and my sister are also wondering what the uniforms are like beacause when we came over on holiday most of the were green so are they all like that or what? I am also wanting to know what sort of clothes people wear because you dom't want to be out of style!:laugh

So I hope someone can answer my questions.

Lorna xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[gil]

Hi Lorna,
All my kids of your age are asleep right now :laugh
We're in Auckland and schools here are cool (says me, the Mum!) Uniforms are quite different in NZ, I suggest you look at the websites of the schools in Tauranga as they will definitely have pictures of the uniforms on.
http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/graphical_search.php?gs_region=Tauranga_District
this link takes you to a list of schools in the Tauranga disctrict, so have a look.

You might be surprised to find that kids of your age group don't have the same worries about looking "out of style" as they do in UK. Kids wear clothes that fit what they're doing (sport, walking the dog etc) and don't seem to have a particular style until they are older and have money to shop in Glassons or Supre (like Top Shop and H&M in UK).
When mine wake up I will see if they can think of anyhting useful to tell you! Good luck,

Gil

[willowshouse]

I have an 11 year old .. the summer look was ra-ra skirts or mini skirts over leggings .. skull and crossbones patterns .. shorts that were sort of gathered at the bottom of the leg .. stripey T-shirts. There is a teenage 'look' here in Auckland - it's not fussy .. it's just a little simpler and not quite so 'trying to look sophisticated' as England.

Uniforms vary drastically .. summer uniforms are quite 'Home and Away' like for primary but secondary schools are more likely a plain or check skirt, shirt, cardigan, tie, blazer.... and not just green!

Hope someone in Tauranga can give you the local look!