The New Zealand Curriculum is built around the acquisition of essential academic and practical skills. It identifies seven academic or 'essential learning' areas:
- language and languages
- mathematics
- science
- technology
- social sciences
- the arts
- health and physical education.
These are balanced by eight practical or 'essential skills':
- communication skills
- numeracy skills
- information skills
- problem-solving skills
- self-management and competitive skills
- social and co-operative skills
- physical skills
- work and study skills.
Schools are expected to report to parents on the progress of their children. Each term, most schools prepare written progress reports and hold parent-teacher evenings. Parents can meet teachers to talk about their children and may ask for a meeting at any time.
