Booming school adds class

Jonathan Chilton-Towle | Tuesday, January 31, 2012 9:36

SAY CHEESE: Waimate Centennial School's newest teacher Becky Thomas with her new class, Years 2 and 3 pupils. PHOTO/supplied

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A bumper year for enrolments has seen Waimate Centennial School establish another classroom.

With a role of 138 this year, the primary school hired an extra teacher, Becky Thomas, to teach a Years 2 and 3 class.

Principal Barry Jury said the extra class was established to cater for increased numbers and make sure every student received adequate attention.

"This year, for no good reason, we've had a run of extra Year 3 students," he said.

Mr Jury said the preferred class number for new entrants was around 13, junior classes in the "high teens", and more than 20 seniors.

There are seven full-time teachers at the school and three part-timers.

The school board funded the move itself, as the Ministry of Education would not provide extra funding until the school reached 150 students.

Mr Jury said the school had anticipated increased class numbers and had decided to "bite the bullet" and advertise for a new teacher at the end of last year.

It was the first time they had added an extra class at the start of the year, Mr Jury said.

Other schools spoken to had also experienced a boost in enrolments or were at least remaining steady.

Waitaki Girls' High School greatly exceeded its own predictions of 380 enrolments, beginning with 410 on the roll.

Principal Lynlee Smith said all year groups, except for Year 13, had increased. The hostel was also completely full except for two beds in Year 9.

Ms Smith said she was in the process of discussing the possibility of extra funding to cope with the increased numbers.

"We can't have more staff if we can't pay for it," she said.

The school would be able to take on "a few more" students before it was over the recommended limit, as it has been much larger in the past, she said.

Kakanui School was starting the year with 21 students after finishing last year with 20, while Pembroke School remained steady with a starting roll of around 200 students.

Principal Brent Godfery said he would not know the full number until Thursday's first day of school, as many people would "just turn up on the day".

Fenwick School had a starting roll of 260, up by 20 on last year. Principal Lloyd Bokser said the roll was looking "very healthy" and he was looking forward to a good year. Some of the classes would be quite large, he said.