If you are interested in enrolling at WVSS for either our base school or any of our satellites, please ensure your child has ORS funding and then call 09 444 5552 or email us here. 

Enrolment Information

The enrolment process at WVSS is careful and considered.  We want you to make a decision that best suits the needs of your child and your family.  We have an open door policy and no question is too much trouble to answer.

1. Providing enrolment criteria listed above are met, families are welcomed to an informal meeting usually with the principal to look at the school site, meet some of the teaching team and get a feel for the school environment.

2. Prior to formal enrolment, all prospective students are required to gain approval from the Ministry of Education (MOE) to enrol at a special school.  This form is jointly filled out by the enrolling family and the school.  

3. Following MOE approval, families are sent the WVSS enrolment pack, these detailed forms are required  to ensure we have the most up to date information on the enrolling student.

4. The next stage is a full enrolment meeting where current caregivers and staff, together with the families are invited to a meeting with the new teaching team, members of the WVSS therapy team and management to formulate a tailor made learning plan for your child.  This plan will be used as the initial framework for classroom learning while your child settles in.  

5. Your child will be placed in a class, and prior to starting school, visits can be held to start to familiarize your child with the staff and other students in their new classroom.  

Welcome to WVSS!!

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What if my child doesn't want to stay in class?

Learning at Wairau Valley Special School is "Student Led", this means that we tailor programmes to the students learning abilities.  The daily programmes are flexible and fluid to provide ongoing learning in a time and space that suits the child's wants and needs on the day.

2. How will the transition to school work?

The transition into a new class at WVSS will happen at a pace that suits each individual child.  A typical transition may look like this:

Week 1 - Parents bring student to school and deliver to the classroom
Week 2 - Parents bring student to school and are greeted by a staff member from the classroom
Week 3 - Parents bring student to school and leave student with the loading team who will then deliver student to the team from their classroom

3. How does transport work?

Transport on a SESTA vehicle must be approved by MOE School Transport.  Once approved our local MOE approved SESTA Providers - Ritchies or R&R Mobility will contact the family to arrange a meeting with the driver and family.  Together you will make a plan around pick up and drop off times. 
If a student is transitioning from parent drop offs to SESTA transport - we recommend that the transition start with a single trip - that being the afterschool trip from school to home.  This has been trialed with many students and has proven to be successful as the students are greeted by parents at the end of the day.