Cohort Entry

Due to our rapidly growing roll and to give new 5 year old students the best start to school the Omokoroa No.1 School BoT have decided to adopt a ‘Cohort Entry’ policy for all new five 5 year old students. The intention is to formally implement the policy from the beginning of Term 3, 2024

What is cohort entry?

Children are able to start school in cohorts after they have turned 5. It does not apply to students that move into the school zone during the year aged 6 or older.

There will be two entry points per term for students turning 5:

• one on the first day of term
• one on the first day of Week 6 of each term.

Any students that turn five after the two entry points are not able to start school until the next entry point date. Eg. A student turns 5 at the end of the first week of a term will start school at the beginning of Week 6.

Benefits of cohort entry

Cohort entry is about helping children to settle better in school. There is evidence that starting school alongside other children helps them 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 ad hoc basis through the year.

Informal cohort entry - From Term 2

We will encourage pre-enrolled five year old students to start school at the start of the term, or from the beginning of week 6 of each term. The school will contact all current pre-enrolled families to inform them of the change.

Community Feedback

If you have any feedback about the BoT’s decision adapt a Cohort Entry policy please email: principal@omokoroa.school.nz