What will your child learn at primary school?

School has probably changed a bit since your time there, so what are children getting up to between bells these days?

The New Zealand Curriculum is made up of eight subject areas - English, arts, health and physical education, learning languages, mathematics and statistics, science, social sciences and technology.

Within each subject area, pupils will progress through levels 1 to 5.

The level at which each child is learning will vary compared to others in the same age group. Once a child has mastered most of the skills, knowledge and understanding of each stage within a level, they will move on to the next.

The system is also based around core values and competencies.

Pupils are encouraged to value excellence, innovation and curiosity, diversity, equity, community, ecological sustainability, integrity, and respect.

Key competencies are thinking, using language symbols and text, managing self, relating to others, and participating and contributing.

According to the Ministry of Education, the key values and competencies are woven through these subjects, and are designed to encourage enjoyment of learning, and the ability to think critically, manage oneself, set goals, overcome obstacles and get along with others - attributes required to succeed as adults.

 

SCHOOL YEARS

School years are numbered 1 to 13.

Years 0 to 8 are the primary years, with children generally aged from 5 to 12 years.

Some primary schools go all the way up to year 8, while others stop at year 6. Intermediate schools offer years 7 and 8.

For 5-year-olds starting in the second half of the year, some schools may refer to them as year 0. If they start in the first half of the year they will be referred to as year 1.

If you have any queries about which year your child should be in, talk to your child's teacher or the principal.

Secondary years from 9 to 13.