Catholic Schools
Catholic schools are called to be establishments of hope and to be responsive to the emerging socio-economic, political, religious and cultural structures that face them. By being a force for good in a world that does not always respect the vision of the Gospel, the Catholic school can
“Enrich the faith of the Christian community and contribute to the promotion of excellence in the nation.” (Pope John Paul II, 2004 ad limina visit NZ Bishops.)
Radiating Hope for the Future
Catholic schools proclaim the virtue of hope, which is fundamental to the future of our society. We are, in the words of Pope John Paul II, called upon “to be people who live with gratitude for the past, enthusiasm for the present and hope for the future.” (Novo Millenio Ineunte, No. 1, 2000)
With Catholic education at the very heart of the Church’s mission, Catholic schools strive to work with families informing young people who will take their place as leaders in the Church and society of Aotearoa-New Zealand.
With a focus on the development of the whole person as well as striving for academic and all-round excellence, our schools are called to be establishments of hope, and to be responsive to the emerging socio-economic, political, religious and cultural structures that face young people. Catholic schools proclaim the virtue of hope, which is fundamental to the future of our society, providing quality Catholic education to students from Early Childhood to Year 13.
The mission of Catholic schools is not just to provide a high standard of academic learning for our students but also to help develop a Christ-centered faith relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastoral care reflects the sacredness of each individual, when individuals are encouraged to know, love and respect themselves as children of God and when a culture of excellence is fastened in the heart of the Gospel. The Catholic Schools Office supports the work of school principals and staff, parents and parish priests in providing quality Catholic education to students from Early Childhood to Year 13 living in the Diocese of Auckland.
In the Auckland Diocese 23,500 young people are enrolled in our 42 primary schools and 15 secondary colleges. Catholic Schools in New Zealand have a maximum roll which is established by the Proprietor and agreed to with Government regarding the number of students a school may legally enrol. This number can be changed by application. Of this maximum roll a Catholic school may legally enrol up to 5% non-preference or non-Catholic students, provided that all preference applicants are accepted prior to any non-preference enrolments being accepted. This is agreed to in our partnership with government in the Education and Training Act 2020. Some schools have legally applied to increase their non-preference roll to 10% of their maximum roll. However a school does not need to enrol any non-preference students if space does not allow.
Enrolment
Catholic Schools in New Zealand have a maximum roll which is a number established by the Proprietor and agreed to by Government as to the number of students a school can legally enrol. This number can be changed by application.
Of this maximum roll, a Catholic school can legally enrol up to 5% non-preference or non-Catholic students, provided that all preference applicants are accepted prior to any non-preference enrolments being accepted. This is agreed to in the Education and Training Act 2020. Some schools have legally applied to increase their non-preference roll to 10% of their maximum roll. A school, however, does not need to enrol any non-preference students if space does not allow.
The Principal handles enrolment in a Catholic School. If a child is to be a preference student, he or she must obtain a signed preference certificate. Preference certificates can be obtained from the school or downloaded from this website. A signed preference certificate does not guarantee enrolment at a particular school. This may depend on enrolment zones and capacity.
