Cohort Entry for New Entrant tamariki (children's first time at a school)

The Te Rito Harakeke - Marshland School Board adopted Cohort Entry from the beginning of 2024.

This decision was made after consultation with contributing Early Learning Providers, prospective and current Marshland School - Te Rito Harakeke parents / whānau, and kaimahi (staff) in August 2023.

The Board identified a range of benefits to include tamariki wellbeing and learning, the school’s ability to structure a large number of New Entrant transitions effectively, resulting in fewer disruptions and more time to teach. This would also help strengthen connections, communication and relationships between parents, whānau, staff and Early Learning Providers to support new entrant transitions. Strategically, the school would also be better placed to predict numbers and plan for the number of New Entrant enrolments each year in advance.

The benefits of Cohort Entry are supported by a recent Education Review Office (ERO) study (May 2022). A summary of this study can be viewed by following the link provided - https://ero.govt.nz/our-research/starting-school-together-what-do-we-know-about-cohort-entry-summary

With Cohort Entry, new entrant tamariki are able to start school in cohorts, but only after they have turned five. There are two entry points per term, one on the first day of term, and one at a mid-point during a term. This means tamariki may not necessarily be able to start on their fifth birthday, resulting in Early Learning Providers potentially having a small number of tamariki for slightly longer periods of time.

We have developed Cohort Entry dates for 2024, aligned with Ministry guidelines. 

We have developed Cohort Entry dates for 2025, which are aligned with Ministry guidelines.

If tamariki have already been enrolled at another school and are moving to a school with Cohort Entry, the school would not apply their Cohort Entry policy to their start date. Also, Cohort Entry does not replace the legal requirement that a child can start school up to age six.