Apply to Study

Enrolment Information

Otamatea High School will consider applications from students all over the world aged 10-19 years old.

You can download the enrolment form, fill it in and send it back to us by email enrolmentsohs@otamatea.school.nz

Enrolment Information (fees, calendar, subjects, activities, uniform, enrolment policy)

Printable Enrolment Form

Study Period / Start Dates 2026

Most students study for a full year or longer but some only study for three months (one term) or six months (two terms = one semester). It is best for students to start at the beginning of term because we organise a thorough orientation process for them (more information about orientation below).

Term 1 (28th Jan – 2nd April) - This is an excellent time to start for six months - one year of study.

Term 2 (20th April – 3rd July) - This is the best time for one term enrolments.

Term 3 (20th July – 25th Sept) - Good time to start for six months - one year of study.

Term 4 (12th Oct – 12th Dec)

Application Process

To apply to study at Otamatea High School, you need to submit the following documents (either by uploading them online or sending them by email or fax):

A completed enrolment form (including letter for host family, subjects, medical information)
A copy of the student’s passport
A copy of the student’s academic record

Enrolment Process

If the student is accepted, we send a Conditional Offer of Place and Invoice.

Fees can be paid online or at the bank. There is information about this on the invoice.

As soon as the fees have been paid, our International Team at international@otamatea.school.nz will send you the receipt

New Zealand Academic Calendar

The New Zealand Academic year runs from February to December and is divided into four terms of around ten weeks each. Between each term there is a two week holiday, which is a great time for international students to travel around New Zealand. Classes at Otamatea High School are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:50am until 3:30pm, and Wednesday 8:50 until 2pm. Students may participate in sports and other co-curricular activities at lunchtime, after school or at weekends.

Year Levels

New Zealand children start primary school when they are five years old and attend secondary school until they are 17 or 18 years old.

Otamatea High School has seven year levels:

Year 7                      11/12 years old
Year 8                      12/13 years old
Year 9                      13/14 years old
Year 10                    14/15 years old
Year 11                    15/16 years old
Year 12                    16/17 years old
Year 13                    17/18 years old

Usually students are placed in the right year for their age, however, some students may choose a lower year level if their English is not very strong. This will give them additional time to improve their language skills before participating in national exams.

Placement

Otamatea High School will issue an Offer of Place to a selected student but the level of study offered is an indicator only. Selection and placement are conditional upon Otamatea High School being able to meet the needs of the student. Quality applicants are sought whose proficiencies and career intentions are matched by the opportunities Otamatea High School offers.

Generally students are placed with their age level. However, Otamatea High School has the right to place students in appropriate subjects and year levels for their abilities. Students entering Otamatea High School as International Students must have the prior learning necessary and the intellectual and emotional capacity to cope with study in New Zealand in English at the level they have enrolled in.

OTAMATEA HIGH SCHOOL