[dangermouse]

Help... I am getting confused... We are due to arrive in Wellington (PR) on 21st February... with 2 school aged children - 1 daughter aged 13 and 1 son aged 10 can someone clarify which school year they will be in because I just cant seem to work it out. Can someone also tell me approximately when the schools are due to reopen after the Christmas/Summer hols.

Thanks
Alison & John

[Oregonkiwi]

2007 term dates are here:
http://www.minedu.govt.nz/index.cfm?layout=document&documentid=3767

[gil]

Hi Dangermouse,
Ours go back on Feb 7 (primary and intermediate) and Feb 9 (college).

As to the "right" year, I can only tell you our experience:
In UK in September last year, our kids started in year 11 (aged 15 and 6 months, March birthday), year 6 (aged 10 and 6 months, also March) and year 4 (aged 8 and 11 months, September birthday).
At the end of the last term here before the big summer/Christmas break, they were put into years 10, 6 and 4 respectively. When they go back in Feb, they will be in years 11, 7 (up to intermediate school) and 5. The reason our 15 year-old is repeating year 11 is that she has not done her GCSEs, and the GCSE course here is one year so she can join people of her age and do it without any problems. One school wanted her to go into year 12, even though I pointed out she would not have any GCSEs or equivalent!

You need to talk to the school as to whetehr yuors go up a year or stay in the year they are currently in in the UK. We ahve found schools really helpful and willing to talk here in Auckland, so good luck and I hope your children settle well,
Gil

[dangermouse]

Thanks for that info... Think I have it sorted now. I was hoping our kids would be able to join school at the begining of the new year but it looks like we are going to miss it by a couple of weeks - never mind - I am sure they will think that its great to be missing some school! :nice1
Alison, John and kids