POST-PRIMARY ENROLMENT

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27999, 20 June 1956, Page 16

POST-PRIMARY ENROLMENT

COMPLETION SOUGHT BY SCHOOLS

EFFECT ON STAFFING NEXT YEAR

There are about 200 standard six pupils in Christchurch who have not been accepted for enrolment next year in the school of their choice under the Post-primary Schools’ Council. Applications again opened on June 1 and. with the limited accommodation in recent years, it has been usual for such formalities to be completed on the first day. But where a pupil does not gain admission to a selected school, it has been found that there as often a delay in applying to another school where more accommodation is available. This handicaps the Post-primary Schools’ Council in planning the arrangement of classes.: and may also handicap the pupil because provision for greater numbers may be delayed. A major consideration is that the number of teachers and the grading of their positions is governed by enrolments. A school may be on the verge of securing higher grading with the consequent benefits of more staff and higher-paid positions; but if enrolments are delayed there is a lag in obtaining these qualifications. For this reason the Post-primary Schools’ Council is appealing to parents to settle the future school of their children by the end of this month so that the status and requirements of all schools may be determined.

The Shirley Boys’ High School will open in February. Advertisements for a headmaster and staff were delayed so that the council would know the likely roll number and grade of staff required. With other new schools not then in existence, the council noted that parents were slow to seek initial enrolment but. once the buildings took shape, a rush began. The Shirley school will ultimately take 500 to 600 boys. The contractors have promised that much more accommodation than scheduled will be ready next year. A demand for a second boys’ school has been acknowledged, and’ if enrolments are stepped up bv the end of this month to the intake of nearly 200 desired, the first pupils will benefit from more staff.

The Cashmere High School is in a Similar situation regarding buildings. Construction is well ahead of schedule and there will be more rooms available than can be used by third and fourth forms. The job is being completed before all space is actuallv required to save piecemeal additions. This fine new school, which opened this year, still has some places for both boys and girls next year in its planned intake of about 200. The Linwood High School is now in its third year, and has nearly 240 enrolments for next year. It has a limited number of vacancies in general courses although some classes like engineering are full. Next year the school w’ill probably reach the roll of 800 for which it has been planned and virtually reach the end of its first cycle as original pupils enter the sixth form—although a small number will take a fifth year in the upper sixth form. The pattern of classes at this school is not yet clear because of a bulge of 280 enrolments accepted two years ago when accommodation difficulties at other schools were at their peak. Until these extra numbers pass out of the school and

the average length of stay becomes apparent, the average intake will not be settled.

The general situation now is that there is plenty of room for boys at schools in most suburbs, but girls must now seek entry to co-educational schools. The Christchurch Girls’ High School. Avonside Girls’ High School, Christchurch Boys’ High School, and Pspanui High School have had to reject applications because the demand exceeds accommodation. The Christchurch West High School has no more places for girls, but can take a few more boys. The Christchurch Technical College also has some places left for both boys and girls. All hcpe to settle their numbers for next year by the end of the month so that there will be no need to alter arrangements once the new school year begins.