Planning ahead is key to a successful school year — for students, caregivers, and educators alike. At Waimea College in Richmond, New Zealand, the academic calendar follows a structured four-term model. Here’s a fresh look at what the 2025 and 2026 school years will look like, including term dates, start times by year level, and course confirmation milestones.
2025 Academic Year at a Glance
The 2025 school year kicks off near the end of January and winds down just before mid-December. The year is split into four terms with regular breaks in between, aligning with the national school calendar.
- Term 1: Begins Monday, 27 January and ends on 11 April 2025
- Term 2: Starts 28 April and continues until 27 June 2025
- Term 3: Runs from 14 July to 19 September 2025
- Term 4: The final term starts 6 October and wraps up on 11 December 2025
These dates offer clear windows for holidays and academic planning, ensuring a balanced rhythm of learning and rest throughout the year.
2026 Term Structure
The academic framework for 2026 maintains the same four-term approach but with slightly adjusted dates to accommodate calendar shifts and public holidays.
- Term 1: Starts Thursday, 29 January and ends 2 April 2026
- Term 2: Resumes after the break on 20 April, concluding 3 July 2026
- Term 3: Begins 20 July, ending on 25 September 2026
- Term 4: Starts up again on 12 October, and the school year concludes on 11 December 2026
This structure helps set clear expectations for academic progression, exams, co-curricular activities, and holiday periods.
Start Dates by Year Level – 2026
To support smooth transitions and onboarding, Waimea College has tailored the start-of-year schedule to different year levels. Some students begin earlier than others, allowing orientation activities and course confirmations to take place in a calm, focused environment.
Here’s how the start of the 2026 school year unfolds:
- Year 9: Commences on Thursday, 29 January 2026
A critical day for new students entering secondary school, with orientation and welcome events included. - Year 10, Year 11, Year 12: These students return slightly later, on Tuesday, 3 February 2026
Their delayed start allows space for junior students to settle in and for admin tasks to be finalised. - Year 13: Begins early alongside Year 9s on Thursday, 29 January 2026
This allows senior students to take leadership roles during Year 9 orientation and prep for their final year. - New Enrolments (all year levels): Also expected on Thursday, 29 January 2026
This ensures that all students new to Waimea College get timely support and information before the full student body returns. - Special Education Learners: Welcomed on Thursday, 29 January 2026
Early start dates help ensure extra time and support is available as needed.
Senior Course Confirmation Days (Years 12 & 13)
Before the academic year even officially begins, senior students have an important checkpoint:
- Thursday 22 January & Friday 23 January 2026 are set aside for course confirmation.
During these two days, Year 12 and Year 13 students finalise their subject selections, confirm timetables, and discuss any changes with staff.
This is an essential step in making sure each student’s course lineup reflects their goals — whether academic, vocational, or a mix of both.
Why These Dates Matter
Organising a school year with staggered starts and set confirmation dates isn’t just about logistics — it’s about creating the best possible environment for students to thrive. For Year 9s, starting earlier provides a soft landing into high school life. For senior students, early course confirmation helps them hit the ground running with clarity. And for the wider school community, knowing the term dates well in advance aids in planning everything from family holidays to exam study blocks.
In Summary
Waimea College academic schedule for 2025 and 2026 provides structure, flexibility, and thoughtful pacing. Whether you’re a student preparing for your first day, a parent coordinating family plans, or a teacher gearing up for another rewarding year, having these dates in hand makes all the difference.
If you need a downloadable calendar or would like this in a printable format (PDF or Word), just let me know — happy to create one for you.