Enrolments

 

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Enrol Your Child

To enrol a child at Vardon Primary School, you are required to provide the following: 

• A birth certificate, if born in New Zealand or
• A passport stamped with a resident’s permit.
• If not making an out-of-zone application, proof of living at an in-zone address (e.g. electricity bill, telephone bill, tenancy contract, statutory declaration) and a signed in-zone enrolment scheme letter.
• A certificate from your doctor giving the child’s immunisation record.
• If the child is born in New Zealand but at least one parent is a migrant, then that parent must provide a copy of their birth certificate OR their passport.
• To enrol, please complete the online application form above.

Vardon School Out of Zone Ballot Date for 2026 and 2027                                                     Out of Zone Enrolment scheme advice for 2027 

 

Vardon School Cohort Entry and Year Level Classification 

Cohort Entry 

In New Zealand, schooling is compulsory from age 6–16. Parents can enrol their child into a primary school from their fifth birthday.  At Vardon School, we have a Cohort Entry policy which means that there are two entry points per term:

one on the first day of the term
one at a mid-point during a term.
Cohort entry does not replace the legal requirement that a child starts school at age six. Depending on where their birthday falls within the term, some children could stay in early learning or other care for a slightly longer period than they would otherwise until the next Cohort entry date. 

Cohort entry is about helping children to settle better into school. There is evidence that starting school alongside other children helps them build relationships and supports a smoother entry into school life.   It can also mean less disruption for new entrant teachers who can prepare for groups of children arriving on a specific date rather than on an individual and ad hoc basis throughout the year.

My child turns five the day after a cohort entry date. Can they begin a day earlier with the cohort?

Unfortunately not. Children in New Zealand can’t start school until they are five years old.  This also means they will have to wait until the next Cohort entry date to start school. 

Will this affect my ECE funding (20 free hours)?

No, children can remain at their ECE until the cohort entry date after their fifth birthday, and they will continue to receive funding to attend ECE until they start school.  It is essential to communicate with your early learning service, so they know the school enrollment date. 

Year Level Classification 

We use the 1st of May at Vardon School as our cut-off point. Depending on a child’s birthday, they may be classified as a Year 0 or a Year 1 student.

Children who have their fifth birthday before 1st May will be classified as a Year 1 and will be a Year 2 student the following year. 
Children who have their fifth birthday after 1st May will be classified as Year 0 and will be a Year 1 student the following year. 

Generally, Term 2 starts at the beginning of May. However, there are times when Term 2 begins in late April.  We carefully look at students who have their birthday in late April and discuss their Year level classification with whanau. 

 Please note that if you choose to delay your child's start to school, the 1st of May rule will apply, meaning that your child will have a shorter time as a Year 1 student and will move into Year 2 the following year.

E.g. Child A turns five in January.  Child A starts school in July, Term 3.  They will be classified as Year 1, although the rest of the students starting school in July who have their birthday after 1st May will be classified as Year 0.