School rolls to drop 400

Press, 13 June 1978, Page 6

School rolls to drop 400

About 3900 pupils will enter the third form in Christchurch State secondary schools, next year—a drop of, more than 400 on enrolments for this year. Enrolments will open on July 3, and close on July 24. Schools hope to notify parents of a child’s acceptance early in August.

Numbers were lower than in previous years, said the regional superintendent for the Education Department in Christchurch (Mr R. U. Roy). But this trend was evident throughout New Zealand, and should continue until the mid-1980s, when a small recovery was expected. Explaining the Christ- i church school zoning system,

Mr Roy said that each school had its own neighbourhood, from which all applications for enrolment would be accepted. Every child was assured of a place in a school serving his or her area.

Some areas were served by more than one school, and maps showing boundaries of the school districts would be available at primary and intermediate schools, he said. A minor adjustment from last year’s boundaries had been made between Linwood High School and Aranui High School, in the area between Linwood Avenue and Woodham Road.

Parents wanting single-sex schools for their children could apply for admission to Shirley Boys’ High School and Avonside Girls’ High School in the north and east, or Christchurch Boys’ High .School and Christchurch Girls’ High School In. the south and west, said Mr Roy.

Some schools would accept a limited number of pupils from outside their areas. Parents who wanted to enrol children in such schools should include with their application a letter explaining their reasons • for applying outside the area served by their local school, he said.

However, parents should not apply to both schools. If the enrolment was not accepted by the preferred school, the application would automatically be referred to the local school. If parents did not accept the decision of the preferred school, they could appeal to the board of governors. Enrolments for the Four Avenues School for next year would be taken in the third term of this year, said Mr Roy. Parents who wanted their children to attend Four Avenues School should first enrol with their local school, he said.