[Mels]

Hi

I notice a few formites are in the Kapiti area, anyone out there have kids in years 7 and 9 ish.

Are there lots of things for them to do outdoors or is it tooooo quiet. We like country best but just wondered how quiet it was.

Are schools close/easy to get to. Paraparaumu College I guess would be the school there, anyone with experience or knowledge of it.

any info appreciated

cheers

Mels

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Hi Mels... I lived on the Kapiti Coast (Waikanae) before moving to Texas...There are two schools in Waikanae...Waikanae School and Kapanui School...Children attending Paraparaumu College have a bus service from Waikanae to get them to College.
I can't advise you on the best school in Waikanae as it is about 25 years since my son attended Waikanae school. Kapanui School wasn't built then.
When we return to New Zealand first half of this year, we will be living on the Kapiti Coast.

Hope this helps,

Suzanne.

[Pookeko]

Suzanne, I'd said to Mels that I thought Paraparaumu had had a bit of a reputation for drugs amongst younger people. It's what I had heard, but is/was it accurate do you know?

Thanks :)

[Kiwi-In-Texas]

Pookeko...That could well be true...I have been away from the area for a few years...Never heard of drug problems when I lived there ...My son went to Waikanae School and Paraparaumu College and I can only say he had very good teachers in both instances.
I guess both Paraparaumu and Waikanae have grown so much and have a lot of the younger generation living in these areas now.
Nice to see fellow Kiwis returning home on this forum.

Cheers,

Suzanne.

[denisesykes]

Hi there
We are in Raumati , just South of Paraparam and have 3 kids age 7,11 and 14.
The 2 younger ones attend Raumati Beach School, quite a large full primary school but has a very good reputation locally.I work there so I may be a bit biased! The other school here is Raumati South, a smaller school but with just as good a name, and in fact some parents like their more laid back type of approach. At Raumati Beach we have just had to reintroduce zoning which gives you some idea of its popularity.
In Paraparam itself there are lots of primary schools, Paraparaumu School, Paraparaumu Beach, Kapiti School, Kena Kena School , St Patricks (Catholic) Here in Raumati we also have Te Ra , a Rudolf Steiner private school.
Their reputations vary but I do remember hearing that Kapiti School has a decreasing roll. I suggest a visit to the ERO site www.ero.govt.nz which is the same as the UK Ofsted reports.That will also tell you about Deciles which govern the amount of school fees to be paid.
There are 2 colleges, Paraparam and Kapiti which is in Raumati.Kids go there in Year 9 so yours would have a while to go yet.My daughter goes to Kapiti and we are happy with it there although like many colleges/high schools they have their fair share of problems.Paraparam college would seem much the same. I have heard some drug stories arising from both colleges but this problem is fairly nationwide and I don't think it is any worse here than anywhere else.
My kids do more sport here than in the UK.My son of 7 plays soccer and cricket and my OH coaches both teams (something he would not have done at home!).There are opportunities to play touch rugby, Tball, softball, basketball, volleyball, athletics, martial arts ,hockey, swimming,horseriding ,sailing etc etc.You can also learn to surf down at Titahi Bay.
My daughters are not particulary sporty but do play and coach netball and are learning tennis..They also are learning the guitar and attend Kapa haka classes.
So as you can see the choices are endless.There are also lots of tramping opportunites if that s your thing.
I don't think that Paraparam is quiet, in fact it is a bit too built up for us which is why we chose Raumati. That said you only have to drive 2 minutes and you are in the middle of nowhere again so it really is the best of both worlds (IMO!)
Hope all goes well from you and please PM me if you have any specific questions.
Regards

Denise

[jackie m]

Hi Mels

We are in Paraparaumu Beach. With 2 children 3 & 6. 6 year old goes to Kenakena school which is a lovely school. (IMO)
Plenty of things to do for the children BMX track, Skate Park by the beach loads of play parks. Its not tooo quiet here but definately not the hussle & bustle like it was in the UK. There is a small mall in the town which has most shops you need. (always get a parking space:D ) a small cinema think has 3 screens.
Plenty of countryside around & a gorgeous beach that in the 18 months we have been there has never been busy.
Never had any problems with drugs the older children here are alot more respectful we have found so far.
Our inlaws are here for the first time & can't believe how relaxed it is here & amazed that we can go out & leave the windows open:eek: (not saying there is no crime )
If you need any other info feel free to pm me.
Jackie

[JasonS]

Hi Mels,
we just moved to Paraparaumu Beach over a month ago. We have 2 kids, 9 and almost 7. They just started going to Paraparaumu Beach School about 3 weeks ago. They are adjusting fine and already have some friends there. My daughter is continuing her Irish dancing lessons with an instructor who teaches over in Raumati South and we are still trying to decide what activity to get our son into. As stated by others, there is plenty to do here. Right now we live right across from the beach and the kids are there almost every day. It will be nice when our container arrives and then the kids will have their bikes and scooters to ride around. This community has qite a bit more options for activities then where we came from and we really have enjoyed it so far.

[Budapest]

Hi. Good to see there is plenty for kids to do in the Kapiti region. We are aiming to be in Waikanae by September. My eldest is 11 and is getting pretty keen on athletics - he is into soccer too. Any ideas of contacts in the area for him to continue these pursuits?