school overview

The French-English unit at Kowhai Intermediate is called La Grande Envolée, which means The Great Flight. It was established with the help of Frenz in 2021.

Kōwhai was the first intermediate school established in New Zealand in 1922. However, its facilities and equipment are up to date for 21st-century learning. A highly diverse school with 580 students (2020), it has bilingual Māori and Samoan units in addition to its French unit.

central school

Kōwhai is located in Kingsland, south of Auckland’s Central Business District. It is located in a vibrant neighbourhood close to a train station and multiple bus stops. It has a school zone; however, out-of-zone students accepted to La Grande Envolée are given priority for enrolment.

Green space

Kōwhai boasts a large green space with playing fields and a playground suitable for older children. It is next door to Trent Bray Swim School, which allows students to access the indoor heated pool year-round.

Bilingual class structure

La Grande Envolée students learn the New Zealand curriculum in French for three days a week and in English for two days a week. As of 2021, students are integrated into larger year 7 and 8 English classes for their English days. On their French days, year 7 and 8 students learn together. This structure may change as the unit grows.

Enrolment process

(for citizens, permanent residents and work visa holders)

enrol your

children at

kowhai intermediate

Typically children must be enrolled by September for the following school year. Exceptions may be made for in-zone students. 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 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.