South Wellington schools on a roll

South Wellington schools are looking at putting in enrolment zones as a way of managing bulging rolls.

Newtown and Berhampore primary schools are in discussion with the Ministry of Education about implementing zones to help control their rapidly-growing rolls.

Most of the schools in the south Wellington area were at capacity or over, Berhampore Primary School principal Mark Potter said.

‘‘We’re well over capacity. We have been creative for a few years regarding refurbishing classroom blocks, and re-purposing rooms to create classrooms, but there’s only so many creative ideas we can use.’’

His school’s roll was now at 310 – the highest it had been in 30 years.

The school did not have to implement a zone but showing it was trying to curb roll growth meant the ministry would look at the school more favourably when considering giving it more classroom space.

He said zoning was in place for good reason but it was not ideal for Berhampore Primary, as many parents sought out the school for its inclusive learning.

Newtown Primary School was being rebuilt, and while its new classrooms were expected to fit 350 students, its roll was expected to be 360 at the end of this year.

Principal Mark Brown agreed schools in the area were filling up, and said growth was set to continue for a few more years.

The school was looking at where its zone’s boundary would be, and was negotiating with other schools about where some zones might overlap.

The process for implementing a zone would include public consultation.

The Ministry of Education was aware some schools in south Wellington were experiencing roll pressure, and was working with them to alleviate it, head of sector enablement and support Kim Shannon said.

Many schools managed roll growth pressures by introducing a zone, or changing an existing one.

Of the seven schools in the area, only Island Bay School and Houghton Valley School had enrolment zones.

Since November last year, almost $100 million had been announced for major redevelopments at Aotea College, Wellington East Girls’ College, Thorndon School, Newtown School, Kelburn Normal School, Khandallah School and Ngaio School.

The ministry had also funded additional teaching spaces at Rangikura School, Karori West Normal School, Mt Cook School, West Park School, Raroa Normal Intermediate and Kimi Ora School.