[Mels]

In theory we are arriving in Wellington in November and I was wondering if anyone has views on schools for 8 and 11 yr old boys. Looking at the web sites I have seen mentioned on this forum (thanks) I think Hutt Valley High and Wellington College might be good secondary schools to feed onto, any thoughts on these two. Any feelings about primary schools in Eastbourne, Brooklyn and Kelburn. Finding rental accomadation in the right zones will be a challenge so any advice greatly received.



Mels :confused:

[pleccy2000]

Sorry I can't help with the schools, but I'll be in Welly in November too! Best of luck.

[jess]

Hi Mels. We don't have kids, but I did remember this big thread here on families and schools in Welly that might be useful...

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2082

[Mels]

Thanks for that info Jess,

I looked at that thread and found it useful, but being very good at fretting over my kids it would be nice to hear from anyone has personal experience experience of schools. so if there's anyone out there????

[andersonclan]

Mels

We have our kids at Raumati South School and they love it there (boys aged 7 and 11). Great thing is that there are 6 male teachers at the school. Downside of schools here is that they seem to be behind the UK in terms of education. My eldest son is covering stuff that he did in the UK a couple of years ago.

In terms of secondary schools Wellington Boys seems to be the place to go - but it's very hard to get into if you're out of zone. They start at College in year 9 here - which will make them 13 when they go.

Don't know if you've seen this site

http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/

It gives you the decile rating for each school (the higher the decile - the more affluent the families of the students). I think there are a number of fairly reasonable schools around the Wellington area. It just depends what you want. We're keen for our boys to go to an all boys school. Which limits the choices in Wellington to Wellington boys, St Patricks (catholic) or Hutt Boys International or to pay for them to go privately to Scots College.

The other option which is not uncommon in NZ is to send the kids to boarding schools. Many state schools have boarding facilities (lots of rural kids) and out of area kids often go there. I know someone in Wellington who has a son at New Plymouth Boys and someone in Paraparaumu who is sending their son to Palmerston North Boys. (Not sure that I'd wnat my kids away from home though!)

Margaret