UNCERTAINTY ON HIGH SCHOOL ENROLMENTS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29219, 1 June 1960, Page 16

UNCERTAINTY ON HIGH SCHOOL ENROLMENTS

This is the day when about 3500 applications for entry next year to the State post-primary schools of Christchurch are received and the day when principals get a headache which may last two or three weeks.

There should be no difficulty about placing all applicants at some school—there are 3511 places open—but a survey a month ago indicated that about 500 will not get into the school of their first choice. Principals and parents are interested to see the state of firm applications. It was expected that some families would change their minds between the time the unofficial survey among primary school leavers and actual enrolment It is possible than publication in “The Press” of the likely applications and the vacancies available at each school may have caused some parents to consider chances at the most popular schools hopeless and therefore changed their first choice. There is also a continuing tussle in parents’ minds between the desire to enrol pupils at a particular chool or settle on the district nearest home. In an official statement at the beginning of this month, principals of all the post-primary schools announced that they would meet early this month to compare actual enrolments and vacancies “Acceptances will not be notified as early this year as previously for time will be needed—perhaps two or three weeks—for co-ordination of enrolments within the conditions set by each board for the admission of pupils,' the statement said. “Notices to parents will be sent out immediately this work is completed. It is hoped by this means to spare parents the anxiety of seeking admission for their children at a number of schools in succession in the weeks following ’enrolment day.”

No announcement has been h.ade by the principals on the procedure they intend to adopt. It is believed that they are deliberately keeping open minds There are three ways which the earlier statement could be interpreted:— (1) The principals may be delaying announcements of acceptances so that all can be posted simultaneously and thus put al) rejected pupils on the same mark in applying for second-choice schools. In the past there has been some heart burning because pupils who were rejected by a school -hich happened to get Its notices out quickly had an advantage over others in getting into schools with limited vacancies. The latecomers had to accept a third or fourth choice.

(2) The principals may intend to suggest where rejected pupils may next best find a course and school to their liking and where they have a good chance of gaining admission.

(3) The principals may suggest application to the district school nearest lome. This action may have been in mind when the official statement said:—“A determined attempt is being made to obviate the necessity for any longdistance travel to school on the part of new pupils in 1961.” Complicating factors may be the varying policies on entrance preferences. Some schools rate highly ability to profit by the course offered. Others give cohsideration to family associations with t,.e school. Most of the newer schools say they will first serve pupils living within their area. It may be that the principals are waiting to see actual enrolments so that they can ascertain the extent of the problem and what scheme would be most practicable. They are certain to try hard to find some equitable solution because a number of them are strongly opposed to zoning. Zoning is still possible. It was under consideration earlier in the year: but it was found that details could not be worked out in time for application to enrolments for 1961.