LIVING IN NEW ZEALAND

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL IN NEW ZEALAND

There are two categories of schools in New Zealand - public (government funded) and private schools. Schooling in New Zealand begins with a preparatory year followed by 12 years of primary and secondary school.

All schools provide subjects in the eight Key Learning Areas:

• English
• Mathematics
• Studies of Society and the Environment
• Science
• Arts
• Languages Other Than English
• Technology and Personal Development
• Health and Physical education.

Academic year

The school year is divided into four terms and runs from late January/early February until late November/early December. There is usually a two week holiday between terms and a two month summer holiday in December and January.

Students attend school from Monday to Friday each week. School hours vary slightly across New Zealand but are generally from 9.00 am to 3.30 pm each school day.