Wellington High School follows a structured academic calendar designed to promote learning balance, student wellbeing, and staff development. The school year is divided into four terms, with each term aligning with New Zealand’s public holidays and scheduled teacher-only days. Below is a detailed outline of the 2025 and 2026 term dates.
Wellington High School Term Dates 2025
Term One: Wednesday 29 January – Friday 11 April 2025
The year begins with a phased start:
- Wednesday 29 January: Year 9 students only
- Thursday 30 January: New students in Years 10–13 and Year 9
- Friday 31 January: Years 10–13 timetable to be advised; Year 9 full timetable
- Monday 3 February: Full timetable for all students
Public Holiday:
- Thursday 6 February: Waitangi Day
Term One focuses on building routines, introducing new courses, and fostering a supportive school culture.
Term Two: Monday 28 April – Friday 27 June 2025
Includes professional learning days for teachers.
- Friday 30 May: Teacher-only day (Wellington Loop Day)
- Tuesday 3 June: Kāhui Ako Teacher-only day
Public Holidays:
- Monday 2 June: King’s Birthday
- Friday 20 June: Matariki Holiday
This term focuses on academic progress and mid-year assessments.
Term Three: Monday 14 July – Friday 19 September 2025
- Friday 22 August: Mid-term break
A dynamic term that blends academics with co-curricular activities, sports events, and cultural programs.
Term Four: Monday 6 October – Tuesday 9 December 2025
Public Holiday:
- Monday 27 October: Labour Day
The final term wraps up the academic year with senior exams and school-wide celebrations.
Wellington High School Term Dates 2026 (Provisional)
Term One: Wednesday 28 January – Thursday 2 April 2026
- Wednesday 28 January: Year 9 students only
- Thursday 29 January: New Year 10–13 students and Year 9
- Friday 30 January: Years 10–13 times to be advised; Year 9 full timetable
- Monday 2 February: Full timetable for all students
Public Holiday:
- Friday 6 February: Waitangi Day
Term Two: Monday 20 April – Friday 3 July 2026
- Friday 29 May: Teacher-only day (Wellington Loop Day)
Public Holidays:
- Monday 27 April: ANZAC Day (observed)
- Monday 1 June: King’s Birthday
Term Three: Monday 20 July – Friday 25 September 2026
- Friday 21 August: Mid-term break
Term Four: Monday 12 October – Thursday 10 December 2026
Public Holiday:
- Monday 26 October: Labour Day
The year concludes with final assessments, performances, and graduation events.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When does the 2025 school year start at Wellington High School?
The 2025 school year begins on Wednesday, 29 January, with Year 9 students starting first.
2. When do all students return to a full timetable in 2025?
All students will follow a full timetable from Monday, 3 February 2025.
3. How many teacher-only days are there in 2025?
There are two teacher-only days in Term Two — on Friday, 30 May and Tuesday, 3 June.
4. What are the main public holidays during the 2025 school year?
The key holidays include Waitangi Day (6 February), King’s Birthday (2 June), Matariki (20 June), and Labour Day (27 October).
5. When does Term Four finish in 2025 and 2026?
Term Four finishes on Tuesday, 9 December 2025, and Thursday, 10 December 2026.
6. Are the 2026 term dates confirmed?
The 2026 dates are provisional and may be subject to slight changes closer to the school year.
7. How long are the school holidays between terms?
Each break lasts approximately two weeks, while the summer holidays between December and January extend for about six weeks.
Wellington High School term structure ensures a steady academic rhythm with appropriate breaks, allowing students and teachers to maintain focus, rest, and prepare for success throughout the year.