10 February 2000

Later start for primary schools next year

The primary school year for 2001 will start later and end closer to Christmas, Education Minister Trevor Mallard announced today.

The primary school year for 2001 will begin on Tuesday 30 January and end on Tuesday 18 December. Secondary schools will open on Thursday 1 February and end their year on Tuesday 11 December.

In 2000, the primary school year began on 26 January and will finish on 13 December.

“The later start I have approved for next year will extend the school holidays during the summer when it is meant to be hotter! It is also clear that ending the school year closer to Christmas will reduce the amount of childcare that some families will need to arrange.”

Trevor Mallard said the pattern of four even-length terms had met with wide support, so that would continue in 2001. Primary and secondary schools would share the same dates for terms 2 and 3 in 2001. That pattern had also been supported by most parents.

While all state schools would follow the approved term dates, boards of trustees were permitted to close their school for up to five days in any year for teacher-only days, the local anniversary day, teacher training days or for show or gala days. Any school which did that still had to complete the required number of half-days in the school year.

In 2001, all schools will close for Waitangi Day on Tuesday 6 February. Easter will fall in the first set of school holidays as has been the case in recent years.

STATE SCHOOLS

TERMS AND HOLIDAY DATES FOR 2001

The following dates have been approved by the Minister of Education. These dates take into account public holidays but do not include the local anniversary day holiday. Dates for primary and secondary schools are the same for terms two and three.

2001 - Primary and Intermediate Schools

Term 1 Tuesday 30 January to Friday 6 April (96 half-days)

(Easter Sunday - 15 April)

Term 2 Monday 23 April to Friday 29 June (96 half-days)

Term 3 Monday 16 July to Friday 21 September (100 half-days)

Term 4 Monday 8 October to Tuesday 18 December (102 half-days)
or to a day in December which ensures that the school has been open for instruction for 394 half-days in 2001.

2001 - Secondary and Composite Schools

Term 1 Thursday 1 February to Friday 6 April (92 half-days)

(Easter Sunday - 15 April)

Term 2 Monday 23 April to Friday 29 June (96 half-days)

Term 3 Monday 16 July to Friday 21 September (100 half-days)

Term 4 Monday 8 October to Tuesday 11 December (92 half-days)
or to a day in December which ensures that the school has been open for instruction for 380 half-days in 2001.

2001 - Holidays

Schools will be closed in 2001 on Saturdays and Sundays and on the following holidays:

Waitangi Day (Tuesday 6 February)
Good Friday (13 April) occurs in school holidays
Easter Monday (16 April) occurs in school holidays
Easter Tuesday (17April) occurs in school holidays
Anzac Day (Wednesday 25 April)
Queen’s Birthday (Monday 4 June)
Labour Day (Monday 22 October)

The day observed as Anniversary Day in the locality in which the school is situated.

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