We are a Catholic Integrated School and, as such, operate a 'dual' enrolment process.
All enquiries regarding enrolment are directed to the school office - enquiries Ph 871 4669 - or via email to the the principal - principal@stpatta.co.nz
Non Preference Enrolments :
Our integration agreement stipulates that we are able to have 10% as 'non preference' students, i.e.students who have no established connection with the Catholic Church. You may fit into this category if you looking at our school because of its location, size, values, your family has no religious belief, or you follow a belief system that is not Catholic.
Unfortunately we have no places in this category and have a substantial waiting list.
Preference Enrolments :
The other category is known as 'preference enrolment' and this is available for students who have a established connection with the Catholic Church.
Preference enrolments for our school are currently being signed by the Bishop's agent at the Diocesan Centre in Hamilton. Inquiries about this process can be made to the Principal by phoning the school office (871 4669).
When granting preference, the criteria below, as outlined by the NZ Catholic Bishops
Conference, is applied :
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 siblings to be baptised in the Catholic faith.
5.3 - At least one parent/guardian is a Catholic and, although their child has not yet been 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 parents/guardian, a grandparent, or other significant adult in the child's life such as an aunt, uncle or godparent, undertakes to support the child's formation and practices of the Catholic Church.
5.5 - One, or both, of the child's non-Catholic parents/guardians is preparing to become a Catholic.
Once a preference certificate has been issued, evidence of baptism - a photocopy of the baptismal certificate (either the child's- 5.1, sibling's - 5.2, parent's - 5.3, or significant person - 5.4) - is attached to the preference card when it is brought to the school.
Having a preference card does not give automatic entry into a Catholic School as, like all schools in NZ , we operate under a maximum roll entitlement.
The situation for us here at St Patrick's is that our school is very close to maximum roll for the 2015 -2016 years and so, if you are planning for your child to be part of our 'St Patrick's family', start the process early to avoid disappointment !