Our school has an enrolment scheme with the majority of enrolments coming from within the school’s zone.

COHORT ENTRY (This applies to new entrants only)

Helping students to have a great start at school is important for their early success.  In the past the Education Act 1989 has only provided one way for State and State-integrated schools to manage the flow of new entrants into school, known as continuous entry.  From 1 January 2020, changes made under the Education Amendment Act 2019 will take effect.

What are the potential benefits of cohort entry for children? Cohort entry is about helping children to settle better in school. There is evidence that starting school alongside other children helps children build relationships and supports a smoother entry to school life.

Schools that are already using cohort entry believe it offers their children the best start to their school life. It can also mean less disruption for new entrant teachers who can prepare for groups of children arriving on a specific date rather than on an individual and fragmented basis through the year.

Elmwood Normal School along with other schools in our cluster have adopted cohort entry. 

This means:

• Children starting school in groups after they have turned five

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

Start dates for 2026 are:

Term 1: 2 February and 9 March

Term 2: 20 April and 2 June

Term 3: 20 July and 24 August

Term 4: 12 October and 16 November

Please note: We do not hold open days at Elmwood.

ENROLMENTS

Our enrolment form for both in zone enrolments and ballot applications is online.  

Once you have filled in the form, please email our receptionist on reception@elmwood.school.nzadvising you have completed the online form. 

IN ZONE ENROLMENTS
If you live within our school zone,  complete the on line enrolment form and provide the documents as advised below.  To be able to complete the enrolment for your child we must receive these documents.

• your child’s birth certificate (if NZ born) or passport (containing student visa/residence visa or permit

• immunisation certificate (this can be found in your Plunket Book)

• current proof of address (Tenancy Agreement,  Sale and Purchase Agreement or Rates advice). 

• in zone declaration, blanket consent form and our Cybersafety Agreement (found at the bottom of this article)
  

It is your responsibility to ensure that you provide the correct proof of address.  Without this, we cannot process the enrolment.

Please note:  If you provide proof of address that is current at the time of enrolment, but NOT current at the time your child actually starts at Elmwood Normal School, we will request a new proof of address prior to your child starting.

Please also ensure you read the letter (at the bottom of this article) about zones and siblings.

OUT OF ZONE ENROLMENTS

If you live outside our school zone, complete the online enrolment form and ensure it is received by the school office before the appropriate closing date (see dates below).   You will be notified in writing, within five working days of the ballot date, whether your child has been offered a place.

Each year the Board will determine and advertise the number of places which are likely to be available in the following year for those who live outside the school zone.   

2026 Ballot Dates

For children who wish to enrol in Term 1, 2026

• Advertisement Date:Wednesday 15 September

• Application Deadline: Wednesday 15 October

• Ballot Date: Friday 17 October 2025

For children who wish to enrol in Term 2, 2026

• Advertisement Date:Wednesday 11 February

• Application Deadline: Wednesday 11 March

• Ballot Date: Friday 13 March 2026

For children who wish to enrol in Term 3, 2026

• Advertisement Date:Wednesday 29 April

• Application Deadline: Wednesday 27 May

• Ballot Date: Friday 29 May, 2026

For children who wish to enrol in Term 4, 2026

• Advertisement Date: Wednesday 22 July

• Application Deadline: Wednesday 19 August

• Ballot Date: Friday 21 August, 2026

New Entrant Parent Meeting Dates for 2026

Term 2, 2026 :