Enrolment Process
Step 1 - Pre-enrolment form
a) Complete the Pre-Enrolment form by filling out the fields below and submitting the form.
b) Arrange a school visit by contacting the school via phone, email or by visiting the office.
ph: 07 578 5325 | office@gatepa.school.nz
Step 2 - School Visit
During this visit, you will have the opportunity to meet with the Principal and/or Senior staff, and enjoy a tour of the school.
A key objective of this visit is to get to know your child(ren) so we can support them to successfully transition to Gate Pā School.
Please note, there are two new entrant (5-year-old) intakes per term, in week one and week six. Your child must turn 5 on or before their official start date. A child cannot start school before their fifth birthday. Children in other year groups can start school at any time during the school year.
Step 3 - Complete Enrolment Form
Please complete and submit an online enrolment form.
OR you can can complete a paper version, available from the school office.
You'll need the following:
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New Zealand Residents - a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport and immunisation certificate will be required.
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Non New Zealand residents - a copy of your child’s student or resident visa will be required.
School Zone
In January 2024, our school introduced an enrolment scheme (school zone). This scheme helps to protect our school from overcrowding. If you live within the school zone, then your children are guaranteed a place at Gate Pā School.
Out-of-zone applications for enrolment are considered through a ballot system, and are subject to available places in suitable classes.
Exceptions:
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Families of currently enrolled students whose addresses become out of zone as a result of this Enrolment Scheme. These enrolments can be approved provided the student(s) commence Gate Pā School before January 2030.
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Out of zone enrolments are also permitted for our special programme - Kopurererua - this is our Rumaki and Bilingual pathway.
The Ballot System:
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If your residential address is outside our school zone and the above exceptions do not apply, you can apply for a place through the ballot system.
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Each year the Board of Trustees determines the number of places that will be available in the ballot.
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If you would like to apply to the ballot (as an out of zone student), please contact the school office: 07 578 5325 or office@gatepa.school.nz
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Further information about the ballot process can be found at the Ministry of Education website link.
To enrol or find out more information, please see the links below or contact the school 07 5785325 / office@gatepa.school.nz
Gate Pā School is a cohort entry school
What is Cohort Entry?
The children will start school in Cohort groups following their 5th birthday. There are eight Cohort
intakes throughout the year, one at the beginning of each term and one midway through each term.
See dates below.
The benefits of Cohort Entry
- Helps children settle
- Builds stronger relationships
- Gives a sense of belonging through being part of a community
- A better start for children setting up routines and expectations
- Less disruption for the current New Entrant children and Mentors
FAQs
Q: My Child turns 5 the day of a cohort entry date, can they start on their birthday?
A: Yes
Q: My child turns 5 the day after a cohort entry date, can they begin a day earlier with the cohort.
A: Unfortunately not. Children in New Zealand can not attend school until they are 5.
Q: When is the latest my child can start school?
A: In New Zealand all children must be enrolled by their 6th birthday.
Q: My child is just 5 and has already been enrolled in another New Zealand school under a non
cohort policy and we are transferring to Gate Pā do we need to wait until the next cohort begins?
A: No, as your child has already been enrolled, they can begin immediately at Gate Pā.
This illustrates groups of children as they have their 5th birthday. It is an example of how they become a Cohort group with those who have a birthday at a similar time. They will start school as a group on the Cohort date following their 5th birthday.
Gate Pā School Cohort Entry Dates
| Cohort | Start Date |
| Term 2 - Cohort 1 | Monday 28th April 2025 |
| Term 2 - Cohort 2 | Tuesday 3rd June 2025 |
| Term 3 - Cohort 1 | Monday 14th July 2025 |
| Term 3 - Cohort 2 | Monday 18th August 2025 |
| Term 4 - Cohort 1 | Monday 6th October 2025 |
| Term 4 - Cohort 2 | Monday 10th November 2025 |
Gateway Class (New Entrants)
What is it?
Our Gateway Class supports tamariki as they move from early childhood into school. Guided by the evidence-based Ready 4 Learning framework, it helps build the key foundational skills children need for successful learning.
What are Foundation Skills?
Foundation skills support a child’s ability to focus, think, and learn. These include:
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Hearing, seeing, and speaking
- Self-management and emotional regulation
- Social skills like sharing, taking turns, and curiosity
Without these skills in place, a child’s brain prioritises developing them – which makes higher-level learning, like reading and writing, more difficult.
How it operates at Gate Pā School
All new entrant students begin their learning journey in our Gateway Class for approximately five weeks before moving to a mainstream class.
Exception: Students joining Rumaki (full immersion Māori) who meet Te Reo Māori requirements may start directly in that setting.
How Can You Help at Home?
A strong home-school partnership is the key to success. We’ll regularly provide tips and ideas to help you support your child’s learning at home. Simple everyday activities can make a big difference.
Key research
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- Ready 4 Learning is based on proven science about how young children grow and learn best. Masson & Ford.
- Brain Development: Children need strong brain pathways built through movement and experience before they can succeed with reading and writing. Hannaford
- Sensory & Motor Skills: Balance, coordination, vision, and hearing must work together to support classroom learning. Ayres
- Body Readiness: Unintegrated reflexes can affect focus, posture, and writing. These need to be addressed early. Goddard Blythe
- Language First: Talking and listening skills form the base for reading and writing success. Hart & Risley, Snow
- Self-Regulation: Children learn better when they can manage emotions and focus –skills built through play. Diamond
- Right Time, Right Support: Developmental needs must be met before curriculum tasks begin. Te Whāriki, Bronfenbrenner
First Day Toolkit (Getting Ready and Uniform)
School Bag
Please purchase a large school bag for your child that will fit the following:
- Book bag – homework book/reading log
- Library books
- Jersey
- Shoes and socks
- Lunch box and drink bottle
- Swimming towel and togs (summer months)
Stationery
- Gate Pā School offers FREE stationery. This will be given to your child on their first day of school.
Uniform
The Gate Pā School uniform must be worn everyday. The uniform is:
- Gate Pā School polo shirt - this can be purchased from our school office
- Gate Pā School polar fleece can be purchased second hand from our school office
- A school hat in your house colour - this can be purchased from the office
- Any plain black bottoms that you own (shorts, pants, skirt, skort)
Attendance / Punctuality
Children must attend school everyday. In the event of illness/approved family commitments the school office must be contacted.
Children must be at school by 8:45am each day ready for their learning and picked up no later than 3:00pm each afternoon.
After-School Care
We currently have children who regularly attend the following before and after school care programmes. These programmes have pick up options from our school.
To enrol at Coastkids, please phone 07 282 7570 or enrol using the online portal.
* iCare
To enrol at iCare, please phone 021 078 0036 or email manager@icarekids.co.nz
