About

Te Kura Whaiora ki te Tonga / Southern Health School

Teachers at Te Kura Whaiora ki te Tonga / Southern Health School work with ākonga, their families, and their schools to provide an adapted programme that supports ākonga learning during illness and recovery.
We also support students to return to full-time education at their school when they are able.

If you are considering whether your child should attend Te Kura Whaiora ki te Tonga / Southern Health School, the information below outlines who may be admitted and how to apply.

 

 

 

Who can be admitted to the school?

1. Year 0–13 students with high health needs identified by a qualified medical practitioner specialising in the condition, and who are undergoing one of the following:

• An active treatment programme for their medical condition

OR

• A health-funded mental health programme

2. In addition, students must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• In hospital and/or recuperating or rehabilitating for more than 10 school days
• Likely to have, or have had, six hospital admissions within a 12-month period
• Absent from school for more than 40 school days in any one school year

 

 

 

 

Student admissions to Southern Health School

Step 1:

Obtain your child’s attendance record

Please obtain a copy of your child’s attendance record for the current year from their school.
This information is required as part of the admission process and helps us assess your child’s educational needs during their health-related absence.

 

 

 

 

Step 2:

Download and complete the required forms

The following forms must be completed:

• Application for Admission (Word document) or
• Application for Admission (PDF document)
• Verification of Medical Condition (Word document) or
• Verification of Medical Condition (PDF)

 

 

Step 3:

Review and sign all documentation

Ensure that each form is completed fully and signed where required.
Your child’s attendance record must include details of any significant absences and be signed or stamped by their current school.
Please check all documentation carefully to avoid delays in processing.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4:

Submit your application

Please scan and email all completed forms along with your child’s attendance record to:

secretary@southernhealth.school.nz

Alternatively, documents may posted to:

Southern Health School

PO Box 1757

Christchurch 8140

or faxed to
03 374 6503.

 

 

 

 

If your child does not have a regular school

If your child does not have a regular school, Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga / Ministry of Education will consider whether to approve a Section 37 Agreement for special education.

If required, a copy of the Section 37 Agreement may be obtained from us or directly from the Ministry of Education.
Where we consider that the admission criteria are met, we will forward the completed form to the Ministry on your behalf.