Students are granted a preference of enrolment form if they meet one of the criteria (see below). Please feel free to contact the Principal, if you have any questions regarding this.

1. State-integrated schools select preference students on the following grounds

a. The agent for determining preference is the Otari Parish Priest or their Parish of Residence.

b. The grounds for preference are:

5.1 The child has been baptised or is being prepared for baptism in the Catholic Church.

5.2 The child’s parents/guardians have already allowed one or more of its siblings to be baptised in the Catholic faith.

5.3 At least one parent/guardian is a Catholic, and although their child does not have to be baptised, the child’s participation in the life of the school could lead to the parents having the child baptised.

5.4 With the agreement of the child’s parent/guardian, a significant familial adult such as a grandparent, aunt, or uncle who is actively involved in the child’s upbringing undertakes to support the child’s formation in the faith and practices of the Catholic Church.

5.5 One or both of a child’s non-Catholic parents/guardians are preparing to become a Catholic.

2 State-integrated schools have places for non-preference students.

a. This school has a maximum of 27 places.

b. There are currently 10 places likely to be available in 2023.

c. Non-Preference places criteria:

i. The applicants accept that they will be attending a school of special character and that their place in the school is conditional on their participation in the programme.

ii. The applicants accept that they will be required to pay attendance dues as set by the Proprietor and these are not voluntary.

d. Non-Preference criteria that apply to this school.

i. The siblings of non-preference students are already in the school.

ii. Siblings of former non-preference students.

iii. The children of staff or Board members who seek to enrol their children.

iv. Non-preference students coming from another integrated school with the same special character.

v. Children who live within one kilometre of the school and who want to participate in the special character programme of the school.

vi. Children who are unable to gain entry at their local state-integrated school and who want to participate in the special character programme of the school.

f. Non-preference students who cannot enrol immediately may choose to be placed on a waiting list. Students on this list are waitlisted by date

and number and will be contacted if places become available. At the end of the calendar year, the list is removed and people apply to be reinstated on the wait list for the following year.

Enrolment information is also available for this school in hard copy from the office.

For those turning 5 years old:

Prior to their actual school starting day, we arrange for school visits for tamariki. This is most helpful in giving new tamariki the opportunity to meet their teacher and the class.  We are able to organise as many visits as your tamariki need to become comfortable in their new environment.

These visits will be organised by the class teacher who will contact you or can be requested through Jo Anne our Office Manager, AT (04)4753262 or office@cardinalmckeefry.school.nz 

For those entering our school from Year 2 upwards, we always offer a transition visit depending on circumstances.