Data cards for CensusAtSchool 2025-2026 new

What are Data Cards?

Data cards are a way of storing data about a person, object or non-physical entity. When using data cards each individual data card represents one person, object or non-physical entity. Data information for each person, object or non-physical entity is recorded in the same way to make future analysis more straightforward. Information from data cards can also be recorded into a spreadsheet for analysis to be made using statistical software.

Data cards can provide secondary data, as many of the examples given here show.  They can also be used for collecting data, CensusAtSchool data collection information usually has a data card for students to record their measurements on. The data card shown here is from the 2025-2026 CensusAtSchool questionnaire primary teachers guide page 5.

Year 1-3 Data Cards

Three sets of data cards with 7 or 8 variables. The 25 “students/children” are from the CensusAtSchool 2023 database. They are a random selection of year 3-6 students/children from across Aotearoa New Zealand, and the same students/children are used in the three sets of data cards.

Teaching and learning activities associated with the year 1-3 data cards are here.

Year 4-6 data cards

The year 4-6 data cards have 14 variables. The 74 “students/children” are from the CensusAtSchool 2025-2026 database. They are a random selection of year 4-6 students/children from across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Variables included:

• Height
• Gender                      
• Hair colour                 
• Eye colour
• Languages spoken
• Favourite colour 
• Year level
• Plays a musical instrument
• Has pets
• Has broken a bone
• Travel method to school
• Time taken to get to school
• Left foot length
• Right foot length

Teaching and learning activities associated with the year 4-6 data cards are here.

Year 7-8 data cards – to come