Letters: Let school increase roll

John Paul College performers in J Rock. PHOTO/FILE

Recently one of my grandchildren enrolled at John Paul College. In the process I found that demand to enrol children there far exceeds available places. This did not surprise me. Although my wife and I are not Catholics all five of our children were fortunate enough to go to JPC. From our experience of staff, values, academic standards and facilities, our view is that JPC is one of the best schools in the region.

I also learned that JPC has applied since 2012 to increase its roll from 1100 to 1200. The Ministry of Education has kept declining because of opposition from other Rotorua schools. Perhaps the Ministry needs to consider why JPC is in such demand. Is it that some parents don't want to send their children to some Rotorua schools? The Ministry's solution seems to be to constrain JPC to attempt to prop up the other schools. Is this working? Perhaps the Ministry should also reflect on how many local parents send their children to values-orientated schools outside Rotorua.

Excellence in schooling is a major concern and stress for many parents and influences people's view of a region (such as whether they want to live there). To me, the Ministry's approach is helping no one. It is limiting the choice of parents, limiting Rotorua's future development and limiting the incentive for less-in-demand schools to up their game.

BOB BOARDMAN
Ngongotaha

Why are the council crowing about their new recycling scheme?

They are no longer collecting plastic bags/wrap of any kind, or any polystyrene.

Now these materials are all going to go into the general rubbish, and therefore the dump.

For a long time Rotorua was being applauded for how many different types of material we could recycle - this is a huge backward step!

NEIL MACDONALD
Rotorua

Thank you for the article (October 7) on Tamati Coffey's bid for the Waiariki seat in next year's general election.

I can never understand how Mr Flavell and the Maori Party chose to work closely and assist the National Party whose policy was to be rid of the Maori seats!

Good luck Tamati.

COLLEEN DALTON
Rotorua

I cannot let Noel Fraser get away with the letter he wrote (October 7).

Rugby is a man's game; it was invented in one of the toughest boys' schools in Britain and has been played by men ever since!

No one forces the All Blacks - or any other team to play the game, they do it for the sheer love of the game.

I played an even tougher game - ice hockey, and you may rest assured I would have played for nothing - in spite of the injuries.

These sports take exceptional skill and training; years of dedicated hours of practice before you can play professionally.

JIM ADAMS
Rotorua