Join a School Tour
We warmly welcome prospective parents to join our School Tours, available throughout the year.
Every month, we invite families considering Pigeon Mountain Primary School to come and experience our vibrant learning environment firsthand. These tours are personally hosted by a member of our Senior Management team, ensuring you get an insightful and engaging introduction to our school community.
Typically, the tours take place on the first open Thursday of each month, beginning promptly at 9:30 am from the area in front of our school reception. Lasting approximately 60 minutes, the tour includes a walk around our school grounds and provides a perfect opportunity to ask any questions you may have about our programmes, values, and daily life at Pigeon Mountain.
We look forward to meeting you and sharing what makes our school a wonderful place for your child to learn and grow. To reserve your spot, please book your tour – we can’t wait to welcome you!
Starting School with Us
Will my child be Year 0 or Year 1?
At Pigeon Mountain Primary School, children who start school and have their birthday in Term 1 enter as Year 1, while those with birthdays during the April holidays or who start in Terms 2, 3, or 4 will be in Year 0.
Need to chat about your child's placement? We know every child is unique and we highly value your input. If you have any questions or concerns, please email our Principal, Phebe Rossiter pheber@pmps.school.nz or Deputy Principals, Nicky King nickyk@pmps.school.nz or Susie Allan susiea@pmps.school.nz we are always open to your feedback and love working together to find the absolute best fit for your child.
Our New Entrants
School Visits for new Students
After the enrolment process is completed, and about two months before your child is set to begin school, we will send you a letter with the dates for their School Visits. Your child is invited to attend three visits, currently held on Thursdays between 9:00 am and 10:50 am, to help them feel comfortable before their first day.
Parents and children get to see how the day begins in Year 1. Parents and children are encouraged to stay for morning tea on the deck with the other children.
Classroom Visits for new Students
Additionally, we warmly invite you and your 4-year-old child enrolled at Pigeon Mountain Primary School to join our classroom visits “Off to a Good Start”. You’re welcome to attend together for a full term before school begins, giving your child a wonderful opportunity to settle in and make new friends.
On this programme students will:
Learn about our school and our special character
Visit classrooms, our orchard and our hall and get to know the staff at PMPS
Visit the library and borrow books
Do fun learning activities
Have a weekly reading book
On this programme parents will:
Do the above as well as having the opportunity to get to know other parents, to ask questions and to learn about school expectations and what to expect on the first day of school.
The “Off to a Good Start” programme runs on Tuesdays from 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm.
For further inquiries, please contact our office.
Cohort Entry
The Pigeon Mountain Primary School Board has adopted a cohort entry policy for new entrants (Year 1 and Year 0 students), taking effect from Term 1, 2027.
How does cohort entry work?
New entrants start school in cohorts but only after they have turned five. There are two entry points per term, one on the first day of term, and one at a mid-point during a term (usually the Monday of the 6th week).
What are the benefits of cohort entry?
Cohort entry helps students to settle into school and learn routines quicker. The Education Review Office found the following benefits of cohort entry:
Supports the emotional wellbeing of young children as they start school in groups, sometimes with friends from early learning. For some children, this meant they felt like they belonged at school, were less anxious, and settled quickly into school routines.
Supports learning for new children as teachers can teach without the constant interruption of new students arriving any time during the year.
Helps whānau connect with other whānau and the school as school visits and activities can be scheduled so parents can come together in groups.
Helps schools to plan children’s transitions from early childhood to school, making the experience better for children and whānau.
2027 Cohort Entry start dates for Year 1 and Year 0 students
Entry point 1: 3 February 2027
Entry point 2: 8 March 2027
Entry point 3: 27 April 2027
Entry point 4: 31 May 2027
Entry point 5: 19 July 2027
Entry point 6: 23 August 2027
Entry point 7:11 October 2027
Entry point 8: 15 November 2027
School
Visits
Invite for students and parents/caregivers:
Thursdays from 9:00 am to 10:50 am
Classroom Visits
Invite for students and parents/caregivers:
Tuesdays from 1:45 pm to 2:45 pm
