MANDY SMITH
A Havelock North school stands to lose about two thirds of its zone because of rapid-growth projections.
Te Mata School proposes to scrap much of its rural catchment area as part of the changes and is seeking public views during the next month.
In a letter sent to parents yesterday, the
school said that based on growth projections calculated from Census, Ministry of Education and council figures, pupil numbers could reach 850 in 2011 unless extensive changes were made to its enrolment zone. The school has 540 pupils.
The proposed changes, directed by the ministry, would see much of Tukituki Valley, Mangatere and Wamiamara cut from the zone, and restrict Te Mata School to about 650 pupils.
The school had grown 10 per cent a year in the past three years - the equivalent of two classrooms a year - and building could not keep up, principal Michael Bain said.
"If we can control our numbers so we can continue to operate with minimal upgrading of our current facilities, it will be an enormous benefit."
Havelock North Primary School, which has a roll of 470, is expected to absorb all areas removed from Te Mata's zone, but the school is seeking clarification.
Mr Bain said as long as families did not move out of the old zone, current pupils and their siblings would not be affected by the changes, which will come into effect later this year. Five-year-olds pre-enrolled to start school this year and living in the old zone will also be allowed to attend, along with their siblings.
Normal enrolment rules will apply for all out-of-zone applicants.
A new school was desperately needed to cope with Havelock North's continuing growth, Mr Bain said.
A Ministry of Education spokesperson said it was monitoring the situation, but had no plans to build another school in the area.
