school overview

Research highlights the benefits of prolonged bilingual education for academic achievement and maintaining heritage languages.

The French-English unit at Kowhai Intermediate, La Grande Envolée (The Great Flight), was established with the help of Frenz in 2021. It supports an important need for children in years 7 to 8 to continue to develop their capabilities in French, while preparing them academically and socially for high school.

Kōwhai Intermediate boasts both a rich history, and modern facilities, equipment and approaches to learning. A highly diverse school with more than 500 students, it has bilingual Māori and Samoan units in addition to its French unit.

central school

Ideally situated in Kingsland, just south of Auckland’s CBD and near train and bus stations, Kōwhai Intermediate is part of a vibrant neighbourhood with excellent transport links. Its special language programmes, including La Grande Envolée, attract children from all over Auckland.

Small class, bilingual structure

La Grande Envolée offers a proven bilingual learning model: children study the New Zealand curriculum in French three days a week and in English two days. With a small group size and focus on academic and social growth, many of the students end up exceeding year-level expectations.

The programme is proudly certified
LabelFrancÉducation – the mark of quality for bilingual French teaching outside France.

Green space & Social opportunities

Friendships and social engagement with children from other classes are fostered through mixed ‘whānau groups’ for activities such sports, social events and technology extensions. Kōwhai boasts a large green space and recreational facilities. The adjacent Trent Bray Swim School enables students to access the indoor heated pool year-round.

Enrolment process

(for citizens, permanent residents and work visa holders)

enrol your

children at

kowhai intermediate

We encourage early expressions of interest to support us in our planning. Please reach out to us at FRENZ, and we will be happy to provide further information.

Out of zone enrolments, including La Grande Envolée, close on Friday 22 August for the 2026 school year.

Contact Barbara Cloonan at ap@kowhai.school.nz to discuss enrolment partway through the year.

complete the Language

Evaluation

The school will contact you to schedule a language evaluation for your children, usually in October for the following school year.

receive confirmation

Kōwhai Intermediate School will score your child's application against a set of priority points and successful applicants are contacted by November for the following school year. Other applicants may be placed on a waiting list.