Thank you for your interest in enrolling your child(ren) at Parnell District School. Our school is an integrated primary and intermediate, catering for students from Year 1 (age 5) to Year 8 (age 13).
All Year 1 to 8 school aged children who reside in our school zone have a guaranteed place at Parnell District School. We also offer a number of places for out of zone children.
For more information that relates specifically to you and your child(ren), click on the statement below that best reflects your situation:
Parnell District School operates a cohort entry policy, this means new entrants students start school in cohorts (groups) on the first day of each term or at a mid-point during the term (set by the Ministry of Education), rather than singly on the child’s respective fifth birthday. Our cohort 2026 start dates are:
| Term | Start of term date | Mid-term start date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 29 January 2026 Cohort 1A (Year 1) | 9 March 2026 Cohort 1B (Year 1) |
| 2 | 20 April 2026 Cohort 2A (Year 1) | 2 June 2026 Cohort 2B (Year 1) |
| 3 | 20 July 2026 Cohort 3A (Year 0) | 24 August 2026 Cohort 3B (Year 0) |
| 4 | 12 October 2026 Cohort 4A (Year 0) | 16 November 2026 Cohort 4B (Year 0) |
Please follow the enrolment process detailed beneath ‘child starting in the next four months’. We recommend that you check your child’s start date with us before giving notice to your Early Childhood Centre.
A few weeks prior to your child starting school, we will contact you to invite you and your child(ren) to a pre-school visit and confirm everything you need to know. Pre-school visits generally happen on the Wednesday morning prior to your child’s cohort entry date.
The pre-school visit allows your child to become familiar with the school, their class, and their teacher. While your child is visiting their new class, parents and caregivers meet their Deputy Principal and receive an overview of learning and belonging at our school. This is an ideal opportunity for families to ask any unanswered questions they have about PDS and school life.
Great to hear you would like your child to join Parnell District School. Please complete our online enrolment application form.
Once you have submitted the form our Enrolment Officer will be in contact – if any further information is required they will let you know, otherwise they will provide a date for your enrolment interview. Your child’s start date is confirmed after the enrolment interview has taken place.
Please note a separate application is required for each child you are enrolling. Please read the instructions carefully and supply all the requested documentation. Should you experience difficulties in completing this, please contact our Enrolment Officer.
You are welcome to contact our Enrolment Officer to find out more about our school or express your interest to enroll your child(ren) in the future
Parnell District School welcomes International Students to experience New Zealand school life, in an inclusive setting a short distance from the bustling Auckland CBD, multiple parks and central city beaches.
For more information on our International Student offering read our International Student Handbook or enquire.
Each year, we invite our school community to contribute to our financial donations to help provide the best possible learning experience for our students.
The New Zealand school funding model means that schools like ours receive particularly limited government funding. To bridge this gap, we rely on the generosity of our families and community. In 2025, we have a fundraising goal of $510,000, with around $160,000 expected to come from family donations.
If you are able to contribute, your donation goes directly towards enriching the learning environment and opportunities for every student. Thank you for being part of a community that values and invests in education.
School donations $480 per child per year
We deeply appreciate every contribution—big or small—because every dollar makes a difference to the learning experience of our students. Donations can be made in instalments at any time throughout the year.
