Starting School

Robert · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 3:51 pm Post subject: Starting School

Our boys are starting school here in Christchurch tomorrow. In England they went to a CofE primary but will be attending an ordinary state school here. As we are renting a house in a decile 10 area, the school does not receive as much funding from the government as other schools. When we went to view, I thought that it looked a little more old-fashioned than the school they had left. That school had just spent a lot of money on white boards and a wireless lap top suite. The teachers though are very enthusiastic and the classrooms looked welcoming. There is a heated outdoor swimming pool (they are to take their togs -swim gear- everyday), sand pit, 2 areas with playground equipment and sports pitches. Their English school had a field at the rear, out of bounds during the winter, and a tarmac play area.

School meals are not provided but there is a school bus (fares apply) which picks them up at the door. The school uniform was reasonably priced. The boys are keen to start and even though they have been enjoying their longer than usual christmas holiday. Nice One

On the subject of prices, we have found that some toys can be really expensive. A new release playstation game $130 at two shops and Baby Chou Chou from Zapf $150 at a main outlet. Stock up before you leave the UK. Calpol also pricey!!!

If anyone has any question regarding starting school or children I will try to answer.

Gerry · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 7:10 pm Post subject:

Sounds like an excellent reason to get them off the play station and send them packing into the yard to play with each other or possibly some other children. You must be delighted! Please excuse my ignorance but what is a Baby Chou Chou from Zapf?

Sorry to be cynical but I am convinced that allowing our children to interact with tv/computer/gameboy screens prevents them from learning to interact with other people.

Good luck to your boys tomorrow and don't forget to send them with their sun hats - they probably won't be allowed to play outside otherwise.

rodders · Valued Member Joined: 25 Nov 2003 Posts: 134

[quote="Gerry"]Please excuse my ignorance but what is a Baby Chou Chou from Zapf, and can normal children live without one?
quote]

google tells me it's a doll. comfort

hope all is going well robert. christchurch is looking like a popular choice.

jbiggley · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 10:56 pm Post subject:

Robert:

I am hoping to relocate to NZ shortly, and I am concerned with moving my children over. I am in Canada, and our school year runs from Sept to June. In Ontario, we also have Jr. Kindgergarten as well as kindergarten. Here is my situation. I have one in JK who will be 5 in February. If I move down before the next school year starts, will he go into Kindergarten or grade 1? (I am hoping kindergarten -- he is bright kid, but grade 1 would be a challenge).

Secondly, I have a daughter who will start JK in September. She will be 4 in December 04. Am I right to assume that she would have to wait until January 06 to get into kindergarten?

Also, what are the tuition fees like if you are a work visa holder, and have not gained residency yet?

Thanks for the answers. I am not worried about me or my wife -- we can roll with the punches easily. It is the children that I am worried about.

Josh

Robert · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:31 pm Post subject: Partial Answer

Hi Josh

The school year here begins in late January. We chose to move over just after new year to start the kids at the start of the school year.

Our kids have coped with the move much better than we have, and are already going native, enjoying the outdoors and the space. The locals are all friendly and this helps a lot. Don't underestimate the stress of such a big move on the parents!

Education is free at state schools from the 5th birthday and kids here seem to join the day after their fifth birthday. For 6 weeks, they have slightly shorter days. We found the local school principal happy to discuss which class we felt our children would fit into, although class sizes were also an issue.

I regret I have never had children in kindergarten but understand this to be a privately funded matter. If you need to know prices, I can ask a couple to find out for you.

As for school tuition fees, we did not have to pay - I am on a work visa awaiting final confirmation of residency and the kids are on visitors visas. These allow study up to 3 months (and the school will ask to see them). I suspect that for longer periods of study, you could apply for a student visa. I found NZIS very helpful although somewhat expensive to phone.

Please let me know if you need more info. I will be better able to help once the kids are actually settled in...

Rob

JCM · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:28 pm Post subject:

Hi Robert,

Glad you made it. I hope the move hasn't it's not been too hard a slog.

Hi Josh,

Kindies - from our own experience (as best as I remember) your children are supposedly entitled to 'free' Kindy from the age of about 3 years old. In practice, our youngest started at age three and a half partly because of the popularity of the Kindy and partly because the government seems to underfund them, resulting in waiting lists. Although 'free,' a donation of $1.50 per session was requested at our youngest's Kindy.

Until they're 4 y.o., kids attend Kindy for three mornings (or afternoons) per week.

When they're four, attendance is for five mornings (or five afternoons) per week.

Good quality, full time pre-schooling costs around $165 per week in Chch for over two's. Under two's cost more.

Clink

Robert · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 8:01 pm Post subject:

The kids have enjoyed their first day and are looking forward to going back though the youngest was very tired. We have been given a detailed list of things to have including many things that their English school would have provided for no cost to us. There is also a compulsory paper levy and a unspecified development fund. The exercise books etc can be bought from outside but at the moment, I think that it is easier to buy the pack from the school. Altogether, the levy, fund and stationery are averaging $30 per child Rolling Eyes

On the upside, the eldest has been given the opportunity to learn a musical instrument from a range including the good ole descant recorder right up to a sax or cello. There is of course a fee for the lessons but far less than the cost of individual private tuition - brilliant!

rebecca · Posted: Fri Feb 06, 2004 6:37 am Post subject:

We are hoping to be in NZ by April so that our 6 year old can start school near to the beginning of the new term. I am finding it difficult to find out about fees. By your posting above do you mean that once we have a work permit she will be able to attend school for only 3 months? I have looked on the NZIS website regarding student visa's but it seems to only cover adult students.
We are entering NZ through work to residency, so we can't send in our EOI for a year after hubby starts work.

If anyone knows anymore about it could you let me know??

Cheers guys Nice One

JCM · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 7:03 pm Post subject:

Hi Rebecca,

Provided you have a work permit, your children will be entitled to attend school here on the same terms as New Zealanders. Yes

There's no restriction on timescale - provided you have a current work permit or are a resident.

Robert · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2004 8:46 pm Post subject: Phew

glad to hear that - I was starting to get worried as my resident visa is still being processed Nice One

wiz

Hi I'm very confused! My husband has received a job offer in the Waikito region and we are trying to find out exactly how many visas we need. We are applying for a work visa at the moment with a view to lodging our EOI once the points hopefully drop a little in the coming months. After a telephone call to NZIS they advised us that we also need to apply for student visas for our children (aged 6 & 8) and a visitors visa for me! Has anyone recently gone to NZ with their family on a work visa? Did you have to apply for any more visas?

The advice NZIS have given us contradicts the above! Help! Confused

dkcolson · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 3:31 am Post subject: Spring Breaks, Summer Breaks

What is the general vacation breaks for the elementary and high schools? When does school sessions start for the beginning of the school year?

veronica · Posted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 5:31 am Post subject:

There is a load of information about how NZ schools are organised, holidays etc on this link http://www.minedu.govt.nz/index.cfm?layout=document&documentid=6169 Might answer some of your questions.

Hisham · Testing The Water Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 4

Hisham · Testing The Water Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 4

Well, got it Razz

What's next Confused

Should I apply for vistor or student visas for the kids Nutcase

Doesn't really matter as long as they do not need work visas Mr. Green