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Tū Teitei | Mahitahi | Angitu
Tū Teitei | Mahitahi | Angitu
Starting school is a special and significant transition. We are here to help make that transition as smooth and successful as possible.
Starting school is a special and significant transition. We are here to help make that transition as smooth and successful as possible.
Cohort Entry
Cohort Entry
For our incoming New Entrant students, Pyes Pā School has cohort entry in place. Cohort entry is when students start school on set dates at regular intervals throughout the year. The advantage for incoming students is they start alongside a group of students, supporting social connections. The new group of students learn the classroom routines at the same time and can support each other in adjusting to school. Cohort entry also makes it easier to organise the classroom programme and ensure that students don’t miss out on important learning. The advantage for the current students in the New Entrant class is less disruptions as there are set dates for when new students join the class. This allows more focused and continuous learning to occur.
With cohort entry, your child can start school at the next available cohort entry start date after they turn five. Alternatively, you may choose any of the other cohort entry start dates up until they turn six, when they are required to attend school.
We will confirm your intended start date at the point of enrolment to allow for planning of your child's transition to school.
2025 Cohort Entry Start Dates
2025 Cohort Entry Start Dates
Cohort 1 - Monday 3rd February
Cohort 2 - Monday 9th March
Cohort 3 - Monday 28th April
Cohort 4 - Monday 26th May
Cohort 5 - Monday 14th July
Cohort 6 - Tuesday 19th August (Monday = Teacher Only Day)
Cohort 7 - Monday 6th October
Cohort 8 - Monday 10th November
2026 Cohort Entry Start Dates
2026 Cohort Entry Start Dates
Cohort 1 - Date TBC
Cohort 2 - Monday 10th March
Cohort 3 - Monday 20th April
Cohort 4 - Tuesday 2nd June (Monday = King's Birthday Observed)
Cohort 5 - Monday 20th July
Cohort 6 - Tuesday 24th August
Cohort 7 - Monday 12th October
Cohort 8 - Monday 16th November
Transition to School
Transition to School
To set you and your child up for the best possible start, the following occurs prior to the first day at school:
New Entrant Teacher visits your child at their ECE
Whānau Headstart Information Session (Completed as a cohort group)
School Visits
Meeting with whānau and class teacher
School Visits
School Visits
Prior to starting school, we encourage three class visits as part of the transition process. It is encouraged that incoming students attend the visits with their cohort group so that they meet the other children they will be starting with.
Class visits provide your child the opportunity to develop familiarity with their teacher, peers, classroom and school environment. They are also a valued part of building positive relationships between whānau and school.
Visits are approximately 1 - 2 hour sessions on Tuesdays. Sessions are held at two different times of the day to allow your child to experience various aspects of the learning programme. See the schedule below for the available dates and times. Either prior to or following the visit in class, children are welcome to stay and join in either morning tea or lunchtime. Please note, a caregiver must remain on the school site for the duration of the visit.
Once you have completed the enrolment, a school staff member will be in contact to confirm your visit times. You will also be sent further information about what to expect when you visit our kura.
2025 Transition Visit Dates
2025 Transition Visit Dates
Cohort 4 Visits
Term 2 Week 3 - Tuesday 6th May - 9.00am - 11.00am
Term 2 Week 4 - Tuesday 13th May - 1.30pm - 2.45pm (Whānau HeadStart Information Session)
Term 2 Week 5 - Tuesday 20th May - 9.00am - 11.00am
Cohort 5 Visits
Term 2 Week 7 - Tuesday 10th June - 9.00am - 11.00am
Term 2 Week 8 - Tuesday 17th June - 1.30pm - 2.45pm (Whānau HeadStart Information Session)
Term 2 Week 9 - Tuesday 24th June - 9.00am - 11.00am
Cohort 6 Visits
Term 3 Week 3 - Tuesday 29th July - 9.00am - 11.00am
Term 3 Week 4 - Tuesday 5th August - 1.30pm - 2.45pm (Whānau HeadStart Information Session)
Term 3 Week 5 - Tuesday 12th August - 9.00am - 11.00am
Cohort 7 Visits
Term 3 Week 8 - Tuesday 2nd September - 9.00am - 11.00am
Term 3 Week 9 - Tuesday 9th September - 1.30pm - 2.45pm (Whānau HeadStart Information Session)
Term 3 Week 10 - Tuesday 16th September - 9.00am - 11.00am
Cohort 8 Visits
Term 4 Week 3 - Tuesday 21st October - 9.00am - 11.00am
Term 4 Week 4 - Tuesday 28th October - 1.30pm - 2.45pm (Whānau HeadStart Information Session)
Term 4 Week 5 - Tuesday 4th November - 9.00am - 11.00am
Learning Programme
Learning Programme
Te Whāriki
Te Whāriki
A lot of rich learning takes place prior to your child starting school. At Pyes Pā School, we utilise the learning goals from Te Whāriki, the early childhood curriculum, to guide the learning programme. This approach supports a smoother start to school as your child moves from their early childhood centre to Pyes Pā School. It enables us to build on the learning that has already taken place and support the development of lifelong learning skills.
Foundational Skills
Foundational Skills
Prior to learning how to read and write, there are a range of developmental skills that children benefit from acquiring. At Pyes Pā School, we use the ‘Ready For Learning’ framework to identify the skills children have mastered and the skills we can support further development in. These skills are grouped into the areas of seeing, speaking, hearing, moving and print. Learning activities are designed to target development in the aspects that your child is yet to master. This is further supported by a structured literacy and numeracy programme that builds the required skills and knowledge in a systematic way. Throughout the year you can see our learning progress on Seesaw. You can encourage consolidation of the new learning by discussing the class activities with your child.
Playful Learning
Playful Learning
At Pyes Pā School, we value playful learning in the junior years. In the new entrant classrooms, there are many learning opportunities available that incorporate fun and play. These include sand and water play, family and role play, blocks and construction, arts and crafts, box and junk creation, nature play and many more. Research shows that young children benefit from play as they develop their social skills, language skills, and self-regulation skills. Play allows students to explore concepts that will help them in academic learning as they progress through school.
Every child is unique and valued. Just as babies reach milestones at different stages, children start school with different strengths and knowledge. Building on what we know about your child, we adapt the learning environment to allow each ākonga to grow and flourish in all aspects of learning.
How Whānau Can Support their Child Starting School
How Whānau Can Support their Child Starting School
Starting school is a significant milestone in the life of a child and their whānau. It is normal to feel a mixture of emotions, both positive and negative. As adults, we can support this process to make the transition as smooth as possible. Some ideas include:
Keep Up the Talk
Talking with your child about school will help them know what to expect. This can include discussing break times, school activities, the class teacher, friends and/or siblings who will be at school.
Strong Routines
Establishing and maintaining familiar routines at the start and end of day is particularly beneficial during the time of transition. Consistency will provide familiarity and reassure your child that the change can be managed. Starting school may require some changes to the current routine, so talk about and set these up in advance of starting school if possible.
Be Guided by your Child
Take note of what your child is communicating, both verbally and non-verbally, about starting school. If necessary, adapt your approach so that the transition happens at a pace and in a way that is comfortable for them. Let them have some input into the start of their school journey such as choosing a new school bag or helping to pack a special lunch for their first day.
Be Gentle
Your child will likely be very tired in the first few weeks of school. Keep low expectations for after school activities and allow them extra rest time. Be kind to yourself too, it’s a big change for everyone.
Celebrate the Successes
Focusing on the positives by acknowledging effort and celebrating progress is a great way to help your child adjust to school. Although there will be challenges, there will be many steps to praise along the way.
Stay Connected
Keep in contact with your child’s teacher. If you are unsure or worried about anything, please connect with them sooner rather than later. The teachers are here to help and have experience supporting students with transitions to school. Check in with the class page or community feed on Hero, and school newsletters to keep up to date with what is happening.
For further ideas about being ready to start at school, view the following links:
We look forward to working with you to support your child’s start to school and welcoming you to the Pyes Pā School Whānau.
We look forward to working with you to support your child’s start to school and welcoming you to the Pyes Pā School Whānau.
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