Starting School

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Glenbervie School operates a ‘cohort entry’ system for students starting school for the first time. This means that children will start school in cohorts after they have turned five. A student will not be legally enrolled until they have turned five. 

At Glenbervie school we invite enrolments at the beginning of each new term and where applicable, at a mid-term point. This means that a student who turns five after a set start date would join the following cohort. It may also be considered appropriate for a child to wait until their sixth birthday before starting school. In this case, parents and caregivers must ensure the child starts school on or before this time (regardless of the school’s cohort entry system).

Here is the link to the Ministry of Educations Cohort Entry dates

Process:

A term before your child starts school, contact from the class teacher will be made to invite you to two transition to school visits. 

The first is an after school visit. This gives your child a chance to meet with their teacher, experience the room and explore the playground without the busyness of a normal school day.  They also get to meet the other students who are starting with them and you get to meet other parents and whānau.

The second is an in class visit during the school day. This visit allows you both to experience the class and what it feels like to be a school kid. You will have a chance to explore the room and participate in some generic activities together. Your child can play in the playground at morning tea time and eat morning tea with the Junior school. 

Remember that transition to school is an ongoing process and these initial visits are the very start of this process. The first few weeks of school involve lots of learning and we can respond to any individual needs as and if they arise.

First Day - What to Expect

On the first day of school please ensure that your child is at school by 8.20am and help your child choose a cubby for their personal belongings, help them unload their named drink bottle, lunch box and snack box. You can also leave their named book bag with their stationary if you have this ready. At 8.40 we will head to the waharoa (carpark entrance) and be officially welcomed to Glenbervie. The Pōhiri will be run by existing Glenbervie students and staff. You are welcome to invite other whānau to attend the Pōhiri. Your child's teacher will stay with them to support them and your whānau in this process.

A Pōhiri is a traditional Māori ceremony whereby the tāngata whenua (local people) welcome manuhiri (visitors) to our school. This process starts with a karanga (call). During this karanga, manuhiri are led from the waharoa onto the top court, where they are welcomed with a haka then a karakia. Whaikōrero (speeches) are made by school staff and tamariki, followed by a waiata after each speaker. An invitation to reply to the welcome is then offered to our manuhiri. If manuhiri choose to reply, they can do so in either English or Māori. After all whaikōrero are delivered, our manuhiri will be invited to walk over to the tāngata whenua side, this is where manuhiri hongi (press noses) and harirū (greeting - how do you do?) the tāngata whenua. As a result of this tikanga, our manuhiri are recognised as 'friends' not 'foe' and cease being manuhiri, they now stand with and are tāngata whenua. They are now Glenbervie School. Our pōhiri will conclude with kai (food) in the staffroom, which lifts the tapu (sacredness) of the Pōhiri.  Manuhiri attending the Pōhiri are to meet outside the waharoa at 8:40, where we will guide you through the ceremony, which usually takes approximately 20min.

Once your child is welcomed across, their teacher will take them to their class and they will have a snack with their classmates to break the tapu of the pōhiri.  As whānau, you are expected and welcome to stay for kai in the staffroom.  Parents are then encouraged to leave from the staffroom.  This allows you some moral support as you leave together to start your day, entrusting your precious children to our care. 

Welcome to Glenbervie School!