The School Day
The school day is from 8:45 am – 3:15 pm.
- 5 subject classes (periods) a day
- 1 hour per period
Thames High School operates a 25 periods per-week timetable, with five 60-minute periods per day and a morning tea break and lunch break.
School is open from Monday to Friday, and there are never lessons on Saturday, although most sports teams play their games then.
You can view and download the daily timetable here.
School Terms
The New Zealand academic year starts in February and ends in early December.
International students can join the school at any time during the year, but starting in February gives them access to the full range of subjects, clubs, and sporting opportunities that we offer.
The school year is divided into four terms of 10 weeks each, with school holiday periods of two weeks between each term. These holidays occur in April, July and late September to early October.
NCEA students (Years 12 and 13) have exams at the end of the year, starting in November. The number of exams a student has and when their final exam will be varies, based on the subjects your child has chosen.
2026 & 2027 TERMS
