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Frequently asked questions
Is there an admissions exam?
There is no academic entrance test for Kristin.
Is there more of a chance for a child to get into Kristin if their parent is an alumnus?
We are always very happy when our alumni apply for a place for their child and where possible we like to be able to prioritise them in the applicant pool.
What is the selection criteria for students?
Admission decisions are based on a composite of information including interview, previous academic performance, school reports, involvement and engagement in extra-curricular activities, and other relevant supporting information.
My family is moving to New Zealand from another country, how do I know which year level to apply for?
Please email the Admissions team at admissions@kristin.school.nz with your child(ren)’s date(s) of birth and the approximate date you are considering relocating and the team will advise which New Zealand year level to apply for.
My family is not Christian, can we still apply to Kristin?
Yes, we are an interdenominational school, so are inclusive of all Christian denominations and welcoming of all people. Our founding documents state that students need to be taught 'traditional Christian values in an inclusive environment'. Our Chapel services reflect this mandate where themes are geared towards values and life skills. We encourage students to explore what the values covered in Chapel means to them in their own culture or religion.
I have applied for Little Doves or Kristin Kindergarten, do I also need to apply to Kristin School?
Yes, Kristin School admissions is managed by a separate team and process from pre-school admissions.
Can I apply for any Junior School year level?
The Junior School intake year levels are Year 0 and 1. Places in these year levels are allocated first to qualifying students from Kristin Kindergarten and then from the applicant pool. Entry at all other year levels is usually only possible when there are leavers from the cohort.
When would my five-year-old start at Kristin?
Kristin operates a “cohort” entry, with a new intake of five-year-olds at the start of each term as follows:
- Children whose fifth birthday is before the first day of Kristin’s Term 1 join Year 1 in Term 1
- Children whose fifth birthday is after the first day of Term 1, but before 31 March join Year 1 in Kristin’s Term 2
- Children whose fifth birthday is after 31 March, but before the first day of Kristin’s Term 2 join Year 0 in Term 2
- Children who turn five after the first day of Term 2, and throughout the school year, will join Year 0 in Kristin’s Term 3 or 4, depending on their date of birth.
When do Junior School applications close?
Junior School applications are welcome at any time of year and all applicants will be added to the applicant pool.
Do you have regular tours of the Junior School?
Tours of our Junior School (Years 0-6) are scheduled once there are enough participants interested in particular year-level bands to form a small group. The tour may be led by the Junior School Principal, Assistant Principal and/or a Dean. Please email the Admissions team at admissions@kristin.school.nz to register your interest.
When will my child be invited to an entrance interview?
Junior School applicants are only interviewed when there is a place available, and the number of places available is often not clear until the term prior. At most Junior School year levels, entry is usually only possible when there is a leaver from the cohort.
Can I apply for any Middle School year level?
The Middle School intake year levels are Years 7 and 9. This is where we increase the roll and can enrol a number of new students. Entry at all other year levels is usually only possible when there are leavers from the cohort. Applications received for Year 8 or Year 10 will most likely be processed as applications for Year 9 and Year 11 respectively.
Do you have regular tours of the Middle School?
We run two tours a term, which include a presentation on Kristin Middle School, a campus visit in small groups, and a morning tea with current parents, Middle School senior staff and Admissions staff. We also hold an information evening every March before the Year 7 and 9 application closing date. You can register for an upcoming tour on the Visit Us section of our website.
How many students get selected for Year 7 and 9 each year?
We have 150 students in Year 7, of which places are allocated to both our Year 6 Junior School students and Year 6 students applying from other schools.
We have 190 students in Year 9, of which places are allocated to both our Year 8 students and Year 8 students applying from other schools.
When will I know if my child has secured a place?
Applications for Year 7 and 9 close on 31 March the year prior. Due to high demand not all applicants will be shortlisted for an entrance interview. Families of applicants will be advised if their child has been shortlisted before the start of Kristin's Term 2. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed during Term 2, with the outcomes usually communicated to families at the end of Term 2. The timeline for the forthcoming year will be published on our website each year.
Do you have a lot of students join at Year 9? Is it preferred/expected that they will start at Year 7?
There isn’t a preference nor an expectation students will start in Year 7, they are very welcome at either entry point.
Can I apply for any Senior School year level?
The Senior School intake year level is Year 11. This is where we increase the roll slightly and can enrol a small number of new students. Depending on roll numbers we may be able to accommodate new students at Years 12 or Year 13. Please speak to the Admissions Manager before submitting an application for Year 12 or 13.
Do you have regular tours of the Senior School?
We run one tour a term which includes a campus tour lead by the Senior School Principal followed by a morning tea with current parents, the Principal and Admissions staff. We also hold an information evening every May before the application closing date. You can register for an upcoming tour on the Visit Us section of our website.
When will I know if my child has secured a place?
Applications for Senior School close on 31 May the year prior. Due to high demand not all applicants will be shortlisted for an entrance interview. Families of applicants will be advised if their child has been shortlisted after the closing date. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed during Term 2, with the outcomes communicated to families at the end of Term 2. The timeline for the forthcoming year will be published on our website each year.
When does the New Zealand school run from?
In New Zealand the school year starts in late January and is broken into four terms, the school year ends in December.
2024 Term Dates
Term 1: 30 January - 12 April
Term 2: 6 May - 5 July
Term 3: 29 July - 27 September
Term 4: 14 October - 5 December
Term Dates 2025
Term 1: 28 January - 4 April
Term 2: 28 April - 27 June
Term 3: 21 July - 19 September
Term 4: 6 October - 4 December
How well does Kristin rate as a school?
In New Zealand, the Education Review Office (ERO) assesses schools on their teaching every few years. To read Kristin’s ERO Report click here. For details on Kristin School's Academic Success click here.
What is it like living in Auckland?
This website gives you a bit of information on what life is like in Auckland:
How far away from Kristin School are the homestay families?
Most of our families are within a 10 minute drive or walk to school. We also have families that live further from school but are on a bus route to Kristin.
What support will be offered to students when then are in homestay?
Students can expect to be treated with kindness and respect. They are offered their own room and access to a bathroom. The room should have natural light and contain a bed, bedding, desk, and lamp, also somewhere to put away clothes and store posesions. Students should have three meals a day and access to drinks and snacks. Host families will support students with travel to school, sports and airport transportation. They will also support students with laundry.
Will the host family be a typical Kiwi family?
New Zealand has a diverse culture and our homestay families represent this diversity. All our host families will be English speaking but may have alternative ethnic or cultural backgrounds.
How do you monitor homestay families?
After a family has submitted their application to be considered for our host family programme the Homestay Coordinator will assess their suitability and follow up with two reference checks. Following this, the Homestay Coordinator will conduct a thorough home visit and interview prospective homestay parents. This interview usually takes about one and half hours and includes a tour of the home and student room. Homestay parents will then complete a police vetting process and two copies of ID will be sighted and recorded. After this process is clear, a decision is made to accept or reject the homestay application.
The Homestay Coordinator is usually in touch with homestay parents fortnightly over email (when homestay fees are paid), and home visits are undertaken twice per school year as per the Code of Practice. Home visits are currently done in February and September. The students in homestay also complete questionnaires and have interviews with our International Team each term. Pastoral support is available on a drop in basis throughout the school day. We also have a 24 hour emergency phone number.
Am I allowed to contact the homestay parents?
If you have an agent you are welcome to contact them and have them handle all of your concerns. Some homestay families are happy to create a group chat to include the students’ parents, whereas other homestay families would prefer all communication to go through the school.
What are the homestay rules?
Every family has different rules so it helps to communicate with your homestay parents what their expectations are. Students need to let their host family know where they are at all times and keep their phone charged so they can be contacted. Students are expected to come home after-school for dinner each night unless other plans have been agreed.
Students should ask their host family about times the shower will be available for your use. Some people prefer to shower in the morning and others in the evening. A lot of New Zealand houses are on tank water so expect to conserve water by taking shorter showers. Students should expect to help around the house, especially at meal times. It is usual for families to take turns washing the dishes. You will need to keep your bedroom tidy and clean up after yourself in shared living spaces.
What food will students by given?
It varies within families and their culture. Students can expect three meals a day. Breakfast is often cereal, toast and spreads. Lunch is generally a sandwich with some snacks and fruit. Dinner is often meat, with vegetables. Some families have rice every day and other families prefer potatoes. Access to extra snacks and drinks is also a requirement. Some families expect their students to help themselves to breakfast and lunch and other families prefer to make it for their students.
Can students open a bank account?
Yes. Most banks allow international students to open a bank account but it needs to be done in person. Students will need to bring proof of ID, proof of enrollment at school and proof of address. If school has assisted with homestay we can write a letter as proof of your homestay address.
