Enrolment Information

Otonga Road School is Zoned.   However, we do have places available for ballot in Years 2-6.  Please contact the office.

Enrolment_Letter.doc.

Enrolment forms to be completed:

Otonga_Primary_School_Enrolment_Form.pdf

Permission_and_medical_form.pdf

Dental_Clinic_Enrolment_Form.pdf

Give_Me_Five.pdf

Cohort Entry at Otonga Road School

We introduced cohort entry for our 5 years olds in 2018.

Why?

Helping students to have a great start at school is important for their early success. Cohort entry is about helping children to settle better in school. There is evidence that starting school alongside other children helps children build relationships and supports a smoother entry to school life. It can also mean less disruption for new entrant teachers who can prepare for groups of children arriving on a specific date rather than on an individual and ad hoc basis through the year.

Will this mean my child has to stay in early childhood education longer than they would otherwise?  Some children could stay in early learning or other care for a longer period than they would otherwise.

The Labour Government has undertaken to continue the subsidy to cover the additional time at the early childhood centre. Under the Labour Government children are not able to start school BEFORE they turn five.

Some parents may choose to have their child wait for a later cohort entry date if they feel their child is not ready to start school.

Cohort entry does not apply to children who have turned six, or who are transferring from another school. A school with cohort entry cannot enforce that a child turning six, who has not yet been enrolled, start at the beginning of the term prior to their turning six. It is a legal requirement that a child enrol at a registered school from age six, but the legislation about cohort entry only applies to five year olds. Therefore, if not already enrolled, a child can start school on their sixth birthday, but must start school no later than their sixth birthday.

 What effect does cohort entry have on early learning services and ngā kōhanga reo, childcare and OSCAR subsidies?

Families are still eligible for Ministry of Education ECE subsidies, including 20 Hours ECE, until their child turns six or is enrolled in school. The Ministry of Social Development will be making changes to the childcare assistance regulations so that children over the age of five remain eligible for the childcare subsidy, and children under the age of five are eligible for the OSCAR subsidy.

Will cohort entry policies affect the quality of transitions for children who may require additional support? Where a child would benefit from a staggered transition to school, a transition plan can be agreed between the child’s parents, the school principal and the Ministry of Education

 The key consideration is whether you as parents and caregivers believe your child is ready for school. Otonga has a set of recommended tasks that your child should ideally be able to do before they start school- but they are only suggestions and we recognise that each child is different. Please ask for a copy if you are interested to see how they might apply to your child.

There is some useful background information available from Dr. Nathan Mikaere Wallis who talks about

cognitive development in young children.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201844291/does-nz-education-policy-align-with-recognised-research

The key dates for 2018  are on the reverse of this page.

New Entrant

As a new entrant we need to sight your child's Birth Certificate or passport , and their immunisation certificate, which we will photocopy.

Home Zone

All students who live within the home zone described below shall be entitled to enrol at the school.  Proof of residence within the home zone will be required.

The zone begins at the intersection of Mokoia Drive and SH5, and follows SH5 (Old Taupo Road) to the intersection with Otonga Road and Devon Street. The zone includes Devon Street West to the intersection with Pukehangi Road (including 476 Pukehangi Road) and continues southwest before turning southeast towards the intersection of Tumunui Road d Barber Road East. The zone curves east to  point 1km south of the intersection of Wilson Road and SH5. Continuing in an easterly direction, the zone turns to the north towards the intersection of Highlands Road and Forestry Road, bisects Lake Rotokakahi and continues north to the intersection of Mokoia Drive and SH5.

Ready Set Go

Children who are about to start school may attend a 5 week transition to school programme called Ready Set Go.

Overseas Students

If you are from overseas we will need both parent and child passports showing current immigration status. Children under the age of 11 must be living with a 'Legal Guardian' while in NZ. The child must have a student VISA of which copies will need to be supplied as well.

New Enrolments
At Otonga we enrol all children with their age peer group. We have found that even if children are starting school for the very first time at age 6 or 7, and even if they have no English language, it is still better that the child starts with their age group. They quickly make friends who will be their friends during their time at Otonga School.