Nelson Tasman Settlement Support

A Partnership between Department of Labour and Nelson City Council

Schools

All children start school when they turn five. The school year runs from January to December and is divided into four terms. There are public, private and integrated schools available.

Nelson and Tasman have a total of 58 primary, intermediate, and secondary schools, including New Zealand’s oldest state secondary school, Nelson College, established in 1856; and one of the newest co-educational Catholic secondary schools, Garin College at Richmond.

The average socio-economic decile of schools in the region is 7 (10 being the highest status). The Nelson region has higher than the national average levels of university entrance qualifications among school leavers (2006 census). 

The following web site can help you locate schools:

http://www.minedu.govt.nz/Parents/AllAges/SchoolSearch.aspx

How to choose a school

Most children go to the school nearest to their house. If you want your child to go to a school outside the school zone you live in, you need to apply to that school. Preschool-age children can be enrolled at kindergartens, playcentres and child care facilities. You can read government reports on each school www.ero.govt.nz.


Age

Class

School

 

5

Year 1

Primary school

Full primary school

 

Year 2

 

Year 3

 

Year 4

 

Year 5

 

Year 6

11

Year 7

Intermediate school

 

Year 8

13

Year 9

Secondary school

 

Year 10

 

Year 11

 

Year 12

 

Year 13