Enrol with us

Enrol online here: HERO Enrolment form

The Education Review Office (ERO) has some valuable information for parents about cohort entry on the website.  To find out more, visit:  ERO's website page:  A guide for parents sending their child to a cohort entry school.

Background Information:

Traditionally, children in Aotearoa (New Zealand) start school on their fifth birthday or any day after that. Recent changes to the Education Act mean schools can adopt cohort entry: enrolling children in groups on specific days across the year. Schools are choosing cohort entry to support positive transitions, well-being, and learning.

From 1 January 2020, changes made to the Act (through the Education Amendment Act 2019) took effect so that:

• children will be able start school in cohorts but only after they have turned five

• there will be two entry points per term, one on the first day of term, and one at a mid-point during a term.

The benefits of Cohort Entry:

• Cohort entry helps children to settle easier, and have a successful transition to school.

• Starting school alongside other children helps children build relationships while benefiting their social and emotional well-being.

• Student learning also benefits as teachers can plan for uninterrupted periods of time.

• There is less disruption and stress 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 through the year.

• Schools are able to better anticipate student numbers allowing Principals to strategically plan for transitions and welcoming events.

• Supports whānau to connect with the school and enable teachers to address parents in a group about important points around schooling and school entry.

• Cohort entry would enable new parents to meet each other and make connections.

Learning Through Play

At Hingaia Peninsula School we want learning to be fun and inspiring for our students, to develop a love for coming to school and for learning. Learning Through Play helps with the transition from Early Childhood Centres, and particularly supports those children who are still developing their readiness for a more formal school setting. Learning Through Play works on foundation skills, oral language, social skills, gross and fine motor skills, self belief and independence. This approach weaves in seamlessly with the NZ curriculum, and aligns with our school vision and values. Children can explore and play both indoors and outside the studio with many opportunities to make connections with children in the main studio space. More information about this can be found in our 'Starting School @HPS' booklet.

School Uniform Expectations:

At HPS we expect all of our students to wear our school uniform correctly and with pride, at all times.

This includes:

PLAIN BLACK shoes worn with PLAIN BLACK or PLAIN WHITE socks for Term 2 and 3 and of course plain black sandals for Term 1 and 4.

School hats are to be worn all of Term 1 and 4. They are not required in Term 2 or 3, please keep these in a safe place at home so that they are ready when they are needed.

Please ensure that any hair accessories (hair-ties, clips, headbands etc) are only in the school colours of blue, green, black or white or of course, your child’s natural hair colour is fine too. 

Any hair that reaches the shoulders or hangs in front of the face, must be tied back.

No makeup or nail polish should be worn at school.

Jewellery should be limited to stud earrings, wristwatches and items worn for cultural/religious reasons.

Our Senior Students in Year 4-8 also need to ensure they have their PE gear in their bags for their allocated PE and Sports days (PE days will be communicated to you in your Termly Studio Newsletter). Please ensure that all items of school uniform are clearly named, so that they can be easily returned. 

We do have some second hand uniform available - our Head Students run this, so please keep an eye out for their 'Shop' days in the Hero communication.  If you have purchased pre-owned uniform, please put a line through any other names and re-name these items for your own child.