Figure 1.--Catholic schools have been largely integrated into the state system. This boy goes to an Auckland catholic college (high school). Note the grey shirts. Grey school shirts were introduced in England, but are now rarely worn there.
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Figure 1.--Catholic schools have been largely integrated into the state system. This boy goes to an Auckland catholic college (high school). Note the grey shirts. Grey school shirts were introduced in England, but are now rarely worn there. |
Click here to have a look at the various sections of our New Zealand Schools. Our E-Book New Zealand Schools is composed of an illustrated written account desribing New Zealand education and the different types of schools, essays on going to school in New Zealand, and a series of photo essays on different aspects of the school experience. Interspersed with the photographs are short excerpts written by the children themselves. As time goes by we will add several other features.
New Zealand is a fascinating country which most of us know little about. So before reading about New Zealand's educational system and schools, have a look at this country background section. It will provide you with some interesting information about the country itself which will give you the perspective to better understand the information about New Zealand education.
An illustrated written account describing New Zealand education and the different types of schools. We will post chapters as we complete the drafts. Feel free to comment on our drafts if you have insights to add or alternative views. Historic and current photographs will illustrate this section.
Have a look at New Zealand school children in different historical eras. The changing styles of sdchool uniform are particularly interesting.
Short essays by New Zealanders of all ages and observers of New Zealand education about going to school in New Zealand submitted by our readers or provided by the schools will be loaded here. Some are nostalgic, some humorus, while others are more academic in nature.
Although New Zealand probably has the smallest independent school sector of any modern western country, there is still a wide range of different types of schools in New Zealand. There are primary, middle, andcsecondary schools; state and independeny (public) schools; sectarian and secular schools; urban, suburban, and rural schools; boys, girls, and coed schools, preparatory and traditional secondary schools; Maori schools; and others.
The mission statements of different schools provide some interesting insights on the values and goals and different New Zealand schools. The authors have compiled some representative statements fron a variety of different school types.
The headmaster or principal at New Zealand schools, especially the secondary schools, provide annual or term reports on developments at their schools. These reports contain interesting information, not only about the specific school, but about New Zealand school trends in general.
The architectural design of New Zealand schools vary widely. Some small rural schools are basic white wooden buildings with a small number of rooms. Primary schools are normally relatively small. City secondary schools can be quite large. A few are designed rather like a Victorian English school. Some are quite modern having been built since World War II. Primary schools tend to have a distinctive New Zealand look, both because of the size and the use of wood construction. Many modern secondary schools tend to have an American look. One destinctive feature is the the open latout. The weather in most of New Zealand is moderate throughout the year allow the children to be outside. There is often a quad or open area where the students can eat their lunch outside. Few schools have cafeterias, but there is usually a tuck shop (a kind of smack bar). Most students bring their lunch. Some schools have very destinctive styles ranging from Scottish stone buildings to the Spanish colonial style.
Here we have compiled a series of photo essays on different aspects of the New Zealand school experience. This is now Volume III of our New Zealand E-Book. Early subscribers wwere able to view the beginning of the Photo Essays, but it has now been reconfigured as Volume III. Volume I was filling up. So we wanted to separate the Photo Essays so we can expand other areas of Volume I. We will add drawings, snipets of written work, and quotes from the children as well as material provided by the schools describing the schools and their educayional programs. All this written material is designed to to help illustrate the photographs and to give an idea about what is on the mind of the the childeren pictured .
Here you can find a little about a day of school is like in New Zealand. We will provide a look at the school day from coming to school in the morning to going home in the afternoon. Many schools have a morning assembly, but usually not every day. Our look at the school day will include a look at the students both in the classroom and at the many other activities which occur during the school day. Class periods vary. Many secondary schools have 7 periods of about 45 minutes. We also cover the informal interactions at breaks and free time. The schedule of course varies from school to school. Normally the school day begins about 8:40 am and runs to about 3:30 pm. The lunch break is normally an hour or a little less.
One of the most destinctive aspects of New Zealand schools are the uniforms. Americans will find it curious that for the most part that primary children do no wear uniforms, but almost all secondary schools require them. There are some exceptions. Both parochial and private schools do require uniforms, even at the primary level. The uniforms styles are primarily British styles. The primary New Zealand twist has been to add a more informal element to the uniforms than was common in Britain. There is considerable variation as to school uniform fom school to school. Some schools still have relatively formal uniforms, but many schools now have informal styles. Many schools are quite strict about the uniforms, but this also varies from country to country. We are just beginning Volume II, but it will be a separate eBook.
Interesting information is available here on a variety of information abpiy New Zealand schools. Helpful glossaries will provide information on educational terms, school slang, and New Zealand idioms.
