[Mels]

Anyone have experience/knowledge of Upper Hutt High School?
Looks to have a good ERO report, I think - these sort of reports can be difficult to interpret, and their web site looks good. Just wondered if living in Eastbourne would be a possibilty with two boys at 12 and 10 yrs old?
Any thoughts greatly appreciated

[IanW99]

Sorry can't answer your question, but have you tried School Zones (http://www.schoolzones.co.nz)

This can show you the enrolment zone of the school that you are interested in. I couldn't find Upper Hutt High, but if its the same as Upper Hutt School then Eastbourne isn't in the zone.

Ian

[Pookeko]

Hi,

As Ian said you wouldn't be zoned for Upper Hutt schools. However it looks like you would be zoned for Hutt Valley High School, and I believe this school still has a good reputation.
http://www.hvhs.school.nz/

I went to St Oran's in the Hutt, but I'm a girl so that doesn't help you... ;) I'm trying to think of other good schools, boy-suitable ones, in the Hutt, I think there's basically Hutt Valley High School or church schools such as St. Bernard's College (no idea what this school is like).

I tried an address search for you (just Eastbourne) but that only came up with Wainuiomata High School. Not only would that be totally impractical re travelling but having spent a few years at school in Wainui I wouldn't really recommend it. :|

[Mels]

Hi,
Thanks for that and sorry guys my mistake, I meant HVHS.
So eastbourne is zoned for that good, my eldest may make that or be in last year of intermediate which I think is OK in Eastbourne itself. (having read ERO stuff), again any opinions gratefully received.

The other option would be in Wellington central for W. college but we fancied being a bit more country' ish and easy commute for OH.
We would obviously go and visit the schools but being a worry'er :uhoh , I like to check these things even before there is a sniff of a job.

[Pookeko]

I like to know a little bit of what to expect as well :D

You sound as though you are flexible on where to live in the Wellington area? Eastbourne is very nice but it could be a little bit of a hassle of driving along the bays all the time to get in & out (although I think there is a footpassenger-ferry to take you into Wellington..?). Anyway Eastbourne is nice. :D

My son (nearly 15) goes to Onslow College in Johnsonville. We have all (my son and the rest of us!) been very pleased with this choice. http://www.onslow.school.nz/
We considered Scots College http://www.scotscollege.school.nz/ in Strathmore Park (out near the airport), but they are a bit too old fashioned/rigid and W. wouldn't have got on as well there. We also thought about Wellington College because they are reputedly very good as well http://www.wellington-college.school.nz/page.asp but again they were too sort of "old-fashioned" for W.

Of course you will go and have a look around when you get there, but in the meantime checking out the websites for the different schools that you are interested in should help - for example just looking at the three above, in my experience* I'd say they give a fairly accurate overall picture of what the schools are like.
(*could be misconstrued :laugh ... son goes to Onslow and brother went to Scots)

If your eldest son is turning 13 this year then theoretically he will go into first year of high school in NZ next year in Feb. First year of high school is generally for kids who are 13 and turning 14 in that year.

I hope they enjoy whichever school you all decide on. :)

(Please PM if I can help at all)

[Mels]

Thanks for that ino Pookeko,
just to complicate the matter both are dyslexic (runs in family - just check my spelling!!! :roll ) so often 'old fashioned' is good as that way of teaching can suit them.

I will look at Scotts as we liked that part of town too.

thanks

[Pookeko]

I replied to Mels in a PM but if this helps anyone looking at schools in the Wellington and greater Wellington region:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_schools_in_Wellington,_New_Zealand

I've been to a decile 4 state school in Wainui and a decile 10 private school in Lower Hutt and they were both good schools in terms of standard of education (decile 10 was better though I must admit). The difference was mainly in that there was a higher expectation of achievement at the private school. This could be a state/private thing or a high/low decile thing??

My son goes to a decile 10 state school in Wellington (northern suburbs) and we are very pleased with this school.

I hope that helps someone?? :)

[Pookeko]

Hey all,

This might be helpful too:

http://www.teamup.co.nz/default.htm

Specifically for you Mels:

http://www.teamup.co.nz/secondary/about/default.htm
(for secondary)

:)