[dckiwi]

We are moving to Hamilton in October with our 3 children. Our oldest turns 5 in September. Does anyone have any experience with the schools in Hamilton? Are there any neighborhoods that you would recommend we concentrate on based on the schools? Also, does anyone have any experience with moving near the end of the school year and would you recommend putting my daughter in school for the last two months of the year or should we wait and enroll her in February? We would appreciate any advice. Thanks!

[StevieD]

Would like ot welcome you to the forum! There are some members who live in the area can give you a better idea than I, but it depends on what your circumstances are and where you are looking at living. (I live in Cambridge by the way, about 20k from Hamilton)

Have a look around your intended living area on arrival, threre wouldn't be much advantage of squeezing your child in for a few months, especially at that age. Again it is difficult to advise because each have their own circumstances. Our children are older, 11 and 9, but we left them to settle in before we got them into a school.

Good luck by the way. :)

Steve

[Sam B]

I've heard lots of good things about Hillcrest school, the surrounding area is Hillcrest. My children go to to Goodwood school in Cambridge, which is excellent.

[dckiwi]

Steve,

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I have read so many wonderful things about Cambridge and we are planning on looking into it when we arrive. It sounds lovely. Do you recommend it in comparison to Hamilton?

[dckiwi]

Sam,

Thanks for your thoughts on schools as well. I have read some good things about the Goodwood School and will definitely look into Cambridge.

Mia

[StevieD]

Being biased, yes I prefer it to Hamilton, it is much smaller and quieter. If you have bundles of cash you can send your children to the private school just outside town, but other than that there are a few good schools in the town to choose from.
My kids go to St. Peter's catholic school, a wonderful little school with a great community.

http://www.stpeterscatholic.school.nz/front_end/index.php

Website gives you an idea of the place.

Good luck :nice1

Steve

[Sam B]

Yup, I prefer Cambridge to Hamilton, but I don't like to live in a city, so I may not be the best to judge. Cambridge is great because it feels like being in the country but has lots of good shops and cafes. It's nicely planned, lots of trees and green spaces. There are 2 good delicatessans, good for a foodie, and pretty much all the schools are good. There is a perception that the Leamington side of Cambridge is not quite as desirable as the Cambridge side, but I don't know what evidence there is for that, other than Leamington Primary is decile 4, whilst the primaries on this side of the river are all 8 or 9.

Access to Hamilton is easy anyway, so we don't feel like we're out in the sticks.