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.
office@gatepa.school.nz
phone 07) 578 5325
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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 enrolment form above or by using the paper version. Paper version is available from the school office.
- New Zealand Residents - a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport and immunisation certificate will be required.
- Non New- Zealand residents - a copy of your child’s student or resident visa will be required.
New Entrants
Our Philosophy:
Learners do better at school when they are developmentally ready for the curriculum. To develop and assess this readiness we have a Gateway Class.
All new entrant students begin in our Gateway Class. They stay 6 - 10 weeks before transitioning to a mainstream or bilingual class. The exception is students who meet Te Reo Maori requirements, these students can start straight away in Rumaki/Whare Reo.
Our Gateway Class has been designed to support the development of a range of foundation skills which are fundamental for learning.
What are Foundation Skills:
Curriculum tasks, such as reading and writing, depend upon the automatic use of foundation skills. If these skills do not exist, the brain will concentrate on developing them rather than on higher level thinking tasks. They are fine and gross motor skills, speaking, hearing and seeing skills and competencies like managing self, relating to others, giving things a go and being curious.
Why Gateway?
Because it has been proven to work. This class uses the framework, Ready 4 Learning to identify which skills each child has and which skills they still need in order for them to be successful.
Personalised Learning
Every student completes the Ready 4 Learning, hands-on assessments to identify their learning needs.
The classroom programme is then designed to develop the required foundation skills. Time is also spent familiarising your child with our school routines and developing lifelong learning skills including emotional regulation and perseverance.
An individual portfolio tracks your child's progress. This is sent home regularly. We also encourage you to share the successes you have seen at home.
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:
- 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.
- Out of zone enrolments are also permitted for our special programme - Kopurererua - this is our Rumaki and Bilingual pathway.
The Ballot System:
- 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.
- Each year the Board of Trustees determines the number of places that will be available in the ballot.
- 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
- 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
To Enrol - click here
Enrolment Scheme:
Zone Map:
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 |
Out of zone enrolments
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Our school operates an enrolment scheme and, if your residential address is outside our school zone your application will be treated as an out-of-zone application.
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To apply for an out-of -zone enrolment, please contact the office by phone or email to make an appointment. During this appointment, you will meet with the Principal to learn more about our school and discuss being placed on the waiting list for the next ballot. Ballot dates are listed below.
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Please inform us if you no longer wish to stay on the waiting (ballot) list.
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Information about the ballot process can be found at the Ministry of Education website link.
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Should you have any other queries at this stage or wish to make an appointment to visit our school, please email us at office@gatepa.school.nz or call our office on 578 5325.
| Applying for | Ballot Application Due | Ballot & Notification |
| Term 1 2025 | Closed | |
| Term 2 | Closed | |
| Term 3 | Closed | |
| Term 4 | Thursday 24 July | Friday 25 July |
| Term 1 2026 | Thursday 16 October | Friday 17 October |
Getting Ready for Gate Pā School
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
