Enrolments
There are two categories of enrolment at St Joseph's School: Preference and Non Preference. Preference enrolment is granted by the Parish Priest. Criteria for Preference status includes:
The child is baptised Catholic
All other children in the family are baptised Catholic
One or both parents are baptised Catholic
A significant other is baptised Catholic (Grandparent / Godparent)
Either parent is participating in the RCIA programme
It is therefore necessary to make an appointment with the Parish Priest, priest@holyfamilynelson.org.nz, at the earliest convenient time. The parish phone number is 03 539 1251. If your child has not been baptised at St Mary’s Church Nelson you will need to take a copy of their Baptismal Certificate. Once the Parish Priest has issued you a Preference Card you will need to bring it to the school office. We will retain this for our records. A Preference Card is needed for each child. Non Preference enrolment is limited to 10% of children on the school roll (43) and is the responsibility of the Principal. All new enrolments will need to have the following documents, as well as the enrolment forms: NZ Birth Certificate or Passport, Immunisation records, Preference Card. If the child was not born in New Zealand you must provide evidence of New Zealand residency or work visa or student visa. For more information on enrolments at St Joseph's School, please email or phone the school office.
Enrolment Forms
Online Enrolment Form
Application for Enrolment Form (pdf)
Preference Form
School DueS (Fillable PDF)
School Dues Information Flyer (2025)
Education Outside the Classroom Agreement Form
ICT Contract (Y1 - Y8 Students Only)
Community Oral Health Information
Public Health Opt Out Form
Early Childhood Education Questionnaire
preference Enrolment
1. State integrated schools select preference students on the following grounds.
a. The bishop’s agent for determining preference is Father Marlon Tebelin
b. The eligibility criteria for preference are as follows:
The criteria to be used by Proprietors, and their authorised agents, when determining whether or not the parents of a child have established such a particular or general religious connection with the Catholic Special Character are:
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 of its 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 parent/legal guardian, a significant familial adult such as a grandparent, aunt or uncle who is actively involved in the child’s upbringing undertakes to support the child’s formation in the faith and practices of the Catholic Church.
5.5 One or both of a child’s non-Catholic parents.
Priorities for Preference Enrolments.
Applications for preference enrolment will be processed in the following order of priority:
Priority 1: Preference siblings of present students.
Priority 2: Preference students from the parish community of Holy Family Parish Nelson and Stoke and/or living within the parish area.
Priority 3: Preference students transferring from other parts of New Zealand and overseas.
Priority 4: Preference siblings of past students.
Priority 5: Preference students who are the children of employees of the school.
Priority 6: Preference students from state primary schools.
Priority 7: All other preference students.
Priority 8: Non-preference students will be enrolled only if enrolment places remain after all preference applicants have been enrolled. The maximum number of places available for non-preference students will be governed by the maximum allowable under the school’s Integration Agreement.
Non-Preference (Non-Catholic) Students
State integrated schools have places for non-preference students.
a. This school has a maximum of up to 43 non-preference places.
b. There are currently no non-preference places likely to be available in this year or next year.
c. When the school roll reaches 85% of its maximum, non-preference enrolment will be suspended, and this will continue as long as the school roll stays at or above this level.
i. The applicants accept that they will be attending a school of special character and that their place in the school is conditional on their participation in the programme.
ii. The applicants accept that they will be required to pay attendance dues as set by the Proprietor and which are compulsory.
d. Non-Preference criteria that apply to this school.
i. The siblings of non-preference students already in the school.
ii. Siblings of former non-preference students.
iii. The children of staff or Board members who seek to enrol their children.
iv. Non-preference students coming from another integrated school with the same special character.
The selection processes described above will be the basis for students applying to enrol either at the beginning of or during the school year
Waitlist Procedure
All unsuccessful applicants may choose to have their names placed on a waiting list. The waiting list will be kept within relevant priority categories, ranked in order. Students on the waiting list may be offered places at a later date if they become available. The waiting list will remain current until the beginning of the next enrolment intake. Applicants on the waiting list will have first offer of places as they become available.
Pre-enrolment Procedure
Each year applications will be sought by a date determined by the Board of Trustees and advertised in daily or community papers, school newsletters circulating in the areas served by the school. All applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application as soon as possible after the closing date.
Notes
• Applicants seeking priority status on the basis of enrolment at a particular primary school may be required to provide proof of enrolment at that school.
• Applicants seeking priority status on the basis of a sibling relationship may be required to produce proof of that relationship.