Schools' tournament holiday scrapped

Changes to the secondary school year, including removing the sports tournament week as a school holiday, have been announced by Education Minister Trevor Mallard.

Mr Mallard said that last year, at the request of secondary principals concerned at the impact national sports tournaments were having on schools, he agreed to create a week-long break in the third term for national tournaments.

However, principals had found it difficult to implement the tournament week so he had agreed to remove it.

Mr Mallard said the days made available would be used to lengthen the term-one holiday and, where applicable, to increase the school year to the usual 380 half-days.

He confirmed the previously announced key change for all schools: they will start the academic year after Waitangi Day and finish later in December.

Schools will also be requested to use one of the "call back" days provided for in the teachers' employment agreement for NCEA training during holidays.

- NZPA

2006 school year

Indicative school terms for 2006, allowing for flexibility granted to schools, are:

Primary

Term One: February 7 to April 13.
Term Two: April 26 to June 30.
Term Three: July 17 to September 22.
Term Four: October 9 to December 20.

Secondary and composite

Term One: February 7 to April 13.
Term Two: May 1 to June 30.
Term Three: July 17 to September 22.
Term Four: October 9 to December 14.