Under New Zealand law children can start school any time between the ages of five and six. Photo / Thinkstock
Under New Zealand law children can start school any time between the ages of five and six. Photo / Thinkstock
More schools are opting for fixed intakes.
The time-honoured tradition of starting school on your fifth birthday is increasingly being dumped.
A growing number of primary schools are looking to adopt new policies that will see children begin at preset dates throughout the school year — meaning some will wait up to five weeks after they turn five.
The schools point to the disruption of continuous starting dates — particularly when new children arrive at the gates unannounced.
Onehunga Primary School principal Viki Holley said the board was reviewing its new entrant policy.
"There are implications around staffing and making sure there are enough great teachers ready as these children come in," said Holley. "We're looking at all the options."
The school had to scramble to house an extra class of children who arrived unexpectedly on the first day of school, which put pressure on finances to pay for a teacher not covered by Government funds.
Under New Zealand law children can start school any time between the ages of five and six.
Auckland Kindergarten Association chief executive officer Tanya Harvey understood several schools on Auckland's North Shore were exploring a single intake of new entrants at the start of each term.
Auckland Kindergarten Association general manager Tanya Harvey. Photo / Dean Purcell
"There needs to be a co-ordinated approach to make a successful transition from kindergarten to school."
Mt Albert's Gladstone Primary School, one of New Zealand's largest junior schools, has trailblazed a twice-term intake for more than a decade.
Principal Dave Shadbolt said children arrived in groups with established friendships, which made the transition easier socially and academically.
A handful of primary schools across the city have monthly, fortnightly or weekly intakes, including West Auckland's Summerland Primary School.
Principal Luke Sumich said having new children arrive twice a month was proving gentler and less disruptive to classroom programmes and curriculum delivery.
"We realise there is a fine line between starting on your birthday and upsetting a tradition in New Zealand, and making a successful transition to school."
Auckland Primary Principals' Association president Frances Nelson said she was not surprised schools were considering the change, especially where an influx of new entrants put schools under pressure.
