ENROLMENTS

St Francis Xavier School Cohort Entry Confirmed for 2027

Following strong support in our recent community survey, the Board has formally approved the implementation of Cohort Entry starting Term 1 2027.

Cohort Entry means new entrants will start school in groups at set points throughout the term (after turning five), rather than individually on their fifth birthday.

We believe this change will support a smoother transition for our youngest learners, helping them settle into school life alongside a group of their peers.

  • In New Zealand, children cannot start before they turn 5 and must start by the time they turn 6.
  • Parents and caregivers can choose any cohort start date that falls between their child’s 5th and 6th birthdays.
  • There is an entry date at the start and mid-point of each term

Week 1: Cohort entry 1

Week 6: Cohort entry 2

2027 Cohort Entry Start Dates

These dates have been set by the Ministry of Education for all New Zealand schools who have Cohort Entry.


Start of Term Entry Date

Mid-term Entry Date

Term 1

3 February

8 March

Term 2

27 April

31 May

Term 3

19 July

23 August

Term 4

11 October

15 November


Common Questions About Cohort Entry

Can my child start a day early if their 5th birthday is just after a cohort date?

No. New Zealand children cannot legally start school until they have turned 5 years old. They will need to wait for the next available cohort date.

Will this affect my ECE “20 Free Hours” funding?

No. Your child can remain at their Early Childhood Education (ECE) provider until their chosen cohort start date. They will continue to receive funding until they officially start school.

  NB:  Keep your ECE provider informed of your confirmed school start date.

Please note that this policy does not take effect until Term 1 2027.

ENROLMENT DOCUMENTATION AND FORMS

These documents must be completed fully and returned to the school office. 

Please contact the school office if you have any questions and to arrange a meeting with the principal

The preference form must be signed by the local Catholic Parish Priest before enrolment can be confirmed.

  • Enrolment Form - This form must be completed and returned to the school office upon enrolment. 

  • Preference Form - This form must be signed by the local Catholic Parish Priest and returned to the school office upon enrolment.  

  • Attendance Dues Flyer

  • Attendance Dues Agreement - This form must be completed and returned to the school office upon enrolment. We will forward this to the Archdiocese of Wellington. 

  • Uniform - This is a list of uniforms required.  Our uniform is purchased through NZ Uniforms, located in Porirua.

​​​​​​​Enrolment Criteria

We have an allocation of up to 10% of our maximum school roll for non-preference children, provided enrolment space allows. The remaining 90% is reserved for preference or Catholic students. If our non-preference spaces fill up, children can be placed on a waiting list, and parents will be notified as soon as a place becomes available.

As our enrolment status can fluctuate, we recommend contacting us directly for the most current information. Please refer to the criteria given in the preference certificate to determine if your child would be eligible for a preference placement.