Cultural Cue # 2 - School

It has been interesting learning about school in New Zealand. Now that I am able to be at a school from time to time, I have learned even more. Similar to the States, the school year dictates a lot that happens in the community. 

The School Year 

The school year starts in February, the end of summer, and ends in December, the beginning of summer.  There are four nine week terms, and in between each term there is a two week holiday. A lot of families take advantage of the two week holiday to go on a trip. There are also activities called Holiday Programs that help keep kids active and occupied during the school holidays. 

The school year doesn't start in February for everyone though. Most students in the States look forward to their first day of Kindergarten. In New Zealand, Kindergarten or Kindy, is more like pre school or day care. The first year of school in New Zealand is called year zero or new entrant level. Students start school on their fifth birthday unless it is over the holidays and then they would start at the beginning of the next term. This means that year zero has students starting all year long. At the end of the year the teacher decides if they are ready to move on to year one or if they should stay in new entrant another year. 

The School Day

Teaching and instruction is quite different in New Zealand than in the states. There is very little whole group instruction but there is a lot of small group interaction between the teachers and the students. 

Most all schools in New Zealand require students to wear uniforms. Occasionally there will be a "mufty" day where students can wear clothing of their choice. 

It is also very important the students are able to have time to replenish and use up their energy. For primary school, after a fifteen minute fitness break in the morning, the students have fruit break where they get to eat fresh fruit brought form home to help fuel their brains. Around 11:00, they students get a break for morning tea, again, brought from home. After morning tea there is a thirty minute recess. The students come back to learn for a little over an hour and then go to lunch and recess for fifty minutes. After lunch, there is only one hour left in the school day. Schools in New Zealand do not have cafeterias, the students all bring lunch from home and sit outside to eat. If it is rainy, they sit under an awning. 

Can you imagine a students from America and New Zealand switching places? I am amazed at the differences in schools,  I find more each time I relieve, or substitute.