Cohort Entry Policy

At Waipukurau School we are deeply committed to ensuring children have the best possible start to school life, and experience a positive transition from Early Childhood Education. The early years at school are so important and for this reason, we use a cohort entry approach.

Policy Objectives:

1. Supportive Learning Environment: Provide a learning environment that aligns with students' developmental stages.

2. Consistency and Clarity: Establish clear guidelines for when students start school.

3. Whānau Engagement: Help families understand and participate in their child’s school entry.

4. Enhanced Student Engagement: Promote student success and engagement from day one.

1. Eligibility for Cohort Entry

●      Students are eligible to start school when they turn five.

●      There are two main cohort entry points per term: Monday of Week 1 and Monday of Week 6. Children turning five between these dates will begin at the next cohort entry date.

2. Transition and Readiness

●      Group Entry: Starting school in groups helps children feel part of a peer community and makes it easier to adapt to routines.

●      What year will my child be:

○      Children enrolling during Term 1 (at start of term or midterm cohorts) are considered Year 1 students for the year.

○      Children enrolling from the start of Term two onwards are Year Zero for the remainder of the year and become Year One students the following year.

●      Pre-Entry Visits:

○      Students and whānau are invited to visit the school at least 3 visits or more if this is deemed necessary by the whānau and schoo.

○      These visits include classroom activities and meetings to introduce children to their teacher, peers, and school environment.

3. Flexibility for Individual Needs

●      Cohort Encouragement: While cohort entry is encouraged, the school is flexible and open to individual needs.

●      Special Entry Considerations:

○      Whānau may request early or delayed entry for their child, depending on readiness.

○      The school may recommend delayed entry if more time is needed for social, emotional, or academic development.

○      These decisions are made with input from the school leadership team, classroom teacher, and whānau.

4. Supporting Students After Entry

●      Monitoring Progress: The school will closely monitor new entrants' progress and well-being during their first term.

●      Extra Support: Additional help, like small group activities or targeted learning sessions, will be provided if needed.

●      Regular Communication: Ongoing communication with whānau to address any concerns or adjustments.

5. Policy Review and Communication

●      Annual Review: The cohort entry policy will be reviewed yearly to ensure it aligns with best practices and community needs.

●      Communication with Whānau: Any updates will be shared well in advance to keep whānau informed.

7. Policy Implementation

●      Sharing Information: The school will ensure all prospective students and their families are informed about the cohort entry process early on.

●      Availability: This policy will be available on the school website and in enrollment information packs.

Conclusion:

Cohort entry is designed to give students a strong start to their school journey, creating a sense of community and readiness. By working together with whānau, the school ensures a supportive environment for both students and families from day one.