[paul arthur]

I am not sure what to do now, we have 175 points and jobs in NZ.
However, my son is has just selected his options for his GCSEs, he is very talented in drama and music and has undertaken theatre and television and film work.
his school have told us that he will obtain A+ in his exams and we are not being fair to uproot hom at this point in his life.
Now we are in a real quandry, he wants to live in NZ but also wants to undertake drama at a NZ university when he is old enough (currently just 15 years).
Does anybody have experience of NZ schooling for a 15 year old and will he have the same opportunities??.
We do not want to fail him as moving to NZ was to give our children a better way of life however, I now think we will have to cancel our plans unless anybody can provide us with more information, I am currently trawling the internet but have not found out that much.
We would be living in the Palmerston North area if we now come.
I am not sure that we could do the same again next year.

[veronica]

Schools will always tell you how important they and the qualifications they offer are, but in reality they are a small part of life. My own feelings would be that if your son is a reasonably clever and motivated kid then he will get on where ever he is. I have no experience of NZ schools, just schools in general. It may be worth your while to get on the web and look at which schools offer what he wants and then phone them from the UK for further info.

[veronica]

hello again, just to say that I was talking to a young lad of 17 yesterday who moved out here in January this year with his parents. He was 1/2 way through his A levels when they came out. I asked him how he had found the change over and he said it was good, he had found a couple of things difficult work wise but over all he felt he was coping well, he is taking the NZQA I think it was which is a new system here. He said himself that he was fairly easy going and although his two younger sisters (14 and ?) had been unhappy about leaving the UK he reckoned that within a couple of weeks they had stopped being critical and made new friends. He has joined in with loads of things here including getting a part time job,and has started to get into snowboarding, taking advantage of the fact that the ski fields are only 1 1/2 hours away. His sisters have taken up horse riding. I can't answer any specific questions on the school system but thought you would like to hear the above. cheers Veronica

[Carol]

I have a 15 year old son....but have been here for 8 years so cant comment on the change form one system to another.

We moved int o the area we are in because of the strength of the High School.
We were very specific in that we wanted - and not private.
He is doing very well.....my other son starts there next January.
Drama is strong in the school - but not sure what sort of level you are looking for.....
I suppose if I was starting again - I would look at the ERO reports - then school web sites and possibly word of mouth if you know anyone in the area you are thinking of going to.

And yes - if he is motivated - he will be fine no matter where he goes.
Good luck!