French Bilingual Unit Enrolment - Ruru La Chouette

Tawatawa - Ridgway is the only school in the Wellington region that offers bilingual education in French and English for tamariki in Years 1 - 8. Children in Ruru La Chouette learn the NZ curriculum in French for approximately 60% of the time and learn in English for the rest. There are many opportunities for tamariki in Ruru La Chouette to learn alongside their peers in other classes and Ruru La Chouette is fully integrated into the life of Tawatawa - Ridgway.

There are a limited number of places available in the unit, and spaces are offered to tamariki based on this enrolment criteria.

Please get in touch with us by September (at the latest) prior to the year your child will be starting.

🌟 Out-of-Zone Applications Welcome

French-speaking whānau who value bilingual education (French and English) may apply, even if living outside our school zone. Tamariki living in zone will be given first priority, but a large majority of enrolments into Ruru come from out of zone.

📅 Cohort Entry

The bilingual unit follows the same cohort entry process and pre-school visit structure as mainstream classes.

🚶 Walk ‘n’ Talk

Whānau are asked to attend a walk ‘n’ talk with a member of our senior leadership team before choosing to enrol.

When:
Every second Thursday during term time
9:30 - 10am

These sessions are specifically for families interested in the French bilingual unit. Please note that a walk ‘n’ talk at our kura is not an indication that your child has been given a place in the unit. When there is a space open, you will be invited to bring your child in for a language assessment. Following this we will confirm your child’s placement.

Email the office to book.

📝 How to Enrol

After your child’s place in the bilingual unit has been confirmed, the office will provide you with an enrolment form to fill out.

Once enrolled, you may arrange a time to meet with Julia Llorca, the team leader for Ruru La Chouette.

🏫 School Visits

Children nearing their start date are encouraged to attend three pre-school visits.

First visit - 8:30 - 9:30 on a Friday
Second visit - 8:30 - 10:30 on a Thursday
Third visit - 8:30 - 11:30 on a Tuesday

Visits are booked once enrolment forms are received.