About our Education System

New Zealand Education

New Zealand State Education System for schools comprises 13 Year levels. There is a compulsory National Curriculum for Years 1 to 10. There are over 2,500 state schools in New Zealand.

1st in world for education (London-based think tank, The Legatum Institute).
New Zealand is a top-performing country in terms of the quality of its educational system (2013 Better Life index).
New Zealand’s 15 year-olds have consistently performed above the OECD (PISA).
In the QS World University Rankings, all eight of New Zealand Universities are ranked in the top 500.
Investment in education has risen to 7.5 percent of GDP which is the fourth highest in the OECD.
Twenty two percent of all public expenditure is invested in education, the highest percentage in the OECD.

New Zealand has a world-leading National Curriculum which applies to all state schools and state integrated schools. It covers all the years of schooling and is compulsory from Year 1 to the end of Year 10.

The National Curriculum aims for all young people to be confident, connected, actively involved, lifelong learners.

It specifies eight learning areas: English; the Arts; Health and Physical Education; Languages; Mathematics and Statistics; Science; Social Sciences; and Technology. And through their studies students work to develop five sets of key competencies: thinking; using language symbols and texts; managing self; relating to others; participating and contributing.

The curriculum gives teachers flexibility to apply their professional knowledge. They can personalise learning to the needs of their students and communities.

Primary Education

Children may start school at age five, although schooling is not compulsory until age six. Primary education starts at Year 1 and continues until Year 8, with Years 7 and 8 mostly offered at either a primary, or a separate intermediate school. Primary education focuses on strong foundation learning, especially in literacy and numeracy.

Secondary Education

Covers Years 9 to 13 (ages 13 to 18/19). State secondary schools are usually known as secondary schools, high schools or colleges. In secondary schools the timetable is arranged around subjects and although students continue to experience a broad and balanced curriculum some specialisation is possible especially in Years 11 to 13. Students are provided with professional career information and guidance. Secondary students may begin courses of a more vocational nature while at school but there is no direct separation of programmes into academic and vocational streams. Entry to work or further study (eg. university) is not limited by the type of secondary school a student attends.

National Standards

Information for parents from the Ministry of Education

Reading and writing

Mathematics

Mairangi Bay School Education

Mairangi Bay School was founded in 1967 and has built a remarkable international reputation.

It is in the top 5% of New Zealand schools because of many years of strong leadership, expert teachers and community support. It is acknowledged for its excellence as an accredited “Investor in People” school and is ranked Decile 10 (true for only 65 of the 2400 schools in New Zealand) to reflect the prosperous community it serves.

Mairangi Bay School has high expectations for student achievement. Students are expected to work hard and soar to new heights.

Easy Access to First Class Academic Provider

High quality education and student achievement success. 95% achieve at or above national standards.
Children excel in international ICAS exams.
Smaller classes, high ratio of teaching staff to students, expert teachers.
Satisfaction for international students for more than ten years.
High quality English tuition for international students by highly qualified English Second Language teachers. Additional support in regular classrooms.
School education fees are less than half of fees from similar quality private educational providers.

Exciting Curriculum and Co-Curriculum

Strong emphasis on English and Mathematics.
Interesting programs in Science, Social Sciences, Music, PE and Health and Art.
Mandarin and Maori programme.
Opportunities to join cultural activities including choirs, and instrumental groups for marimba and ukulele and perform before public audiences.
Opportunities to access national sport bases and facilities in Mairangi Bay, such as:
- High Performance Sport New Zealand Training Centre for flippaball (waterpolo)/swimming training and games/competition;
- New Zealand Breakers (national basketball team) centre for basketball training and games;
- Junior surfing and sailing training clubs;
- Netball, soccer, touch rugby, hockey, and athletics etc.

Paradise-like Lifestyle in the Community

Mairangi Bay beach is an idyllic safe swimming beach. Afterwards you can enjoy the cafés and shopping in Mairangi Bay Village.
Mairangi Bay Surf Club is a highly respected, award winning club. Many of our students are junior members.
Pupuke Golf Club is in a premier location. Play golf and enjoy fantastic sea views. Our ex- student Lydia Ko, the youngest LPGA champion, 2014 CME Group Tour Champion and Time magazine’s 2nd Most Influential Teen of 2013, started her golf here when she was six years old.
Murrays Bay Sailing Club situated beside Mairangi Bay, has produced many world champions and our students are learning to sail there.
Mairangi Bay Art Centre is a government funded art gallery which also runs very popular and successful art classes for locals.
Tennis club and outdoor bowling clubs are popular for our students and adults.
Trip to Auckland CBD only takes approximately 15 minutes on a good run.

Best People and Best Services

Our staff members go the extra mile to ensure your child is feeling safe and happy and that learning needs are being met.

Support on applications. We will assist parents/agents with the application process promptly.
Support on first arrival. We will follow up for the first two weeks to make sure you and your children are satisfied and you are set up with accommodation, bank account, phone, school routes etc.
Support on academic improvement. Expect smaller classes and personalised attentions from our expert teachers. English as a Second Language (ESOL) teaching individually or in small groups during class time.
Support for parents’ integration into New Zealand. We provide opportunities for parents to be involved in their child’s school activities and community’s activities, help parents to integrate into NZ more quickly and make more new friends.
Support on the information exchange. We has international parents’ meeting in each term. Student reports will be regularly provided to parents.
Support on site all year around. We have Mandarin/Cantonese speaking staff and Korean/Japanese speaking helpers when required. They are on site all year around to sort out your concerns promptly.