Enrolment zones coming as school rolls swell

Pressure from roll growth will likely see enrolment zones introduced at two Mahurangi schools this year, as the Ministry of Education looks to buy time to cater for a predicted population boom.The Ministry has told Warkworth School and Matakana School to implement enrolment zones as both schools are reaching capacity. Consultation is underway and the changes are expected to take effect in October.

Existing students won’t be affected by the zone rules, but future students who live outside of the school zones may be excluded. Some ‘out-of-zone’ students will likely be accepted at each school, with those who have siblings at the school getting priority.

The two schools have a significant number of pupils who live outside of the proposed zones, with 146 at Warkworth and 110 at Matakana.

The Ministry says the move is to prevent overcrowding and a new primary school will be required in the area in the next five to 15 years.

“Future network assessments and the timing of new residential developments will determine the exact timing of the new school,” a Ministry spokesperson says.

Warkworth School board member Chris Murphy says there are plans to expand Warkworth School to eventually cater for up to 900 students. The school can currently cater for 700 students. Redevelopment of the senior school will initially add two classrooms, bringing capacity to 750, but the work is will include plans for further classrooms.

Matakana School has a capacity of 400 students and expects to reach a roll of 375 by the end of the year. Principal Darrel Goosen says the school is unlikely to build any classrooms, as nearly a quarter of its students are currently ‘out of zone’.“The Ministry would only consider expansion if ‘in-zone’ students outnumber the school’s capacity, however, this seems unlikely in the near future,” Mr Goosen says.

Neighbouring schools may be expected to absorb a growing number of students, but some are experiencing growth pressures of their own.

Kaipara Flats has 89 pupils with room for another 20 students. Principal Gary O’Brien says the school is growing at about 10 students a year.

“If we experience the same growth next year we will be close to capacity,” Mr O’Brien says.

He says the enrolment zones could see a surge in students, but it “won’t be unworkable”.

The number of students at Ahuroa School has more than doubled since 2009, going from 31 to 70. The school has room for a further 30 students. Principal Michelle Nell says the school is expecting to grow further as many students from the area currently attend Warkworth School.

Leigh School has 55 pupils and principal Julie Turner says it has space for 100 students.

Snells Beach School has had an enrolment zone since it was built in 2009, which includes Sandspit and the Mahurangi Peninsula. The school was designed to gradually expand to over 500 students as the area grows.

Meanwhile, the KingsWay Trust is holding a public meeting on Tuesday September 20 about its plans to build a new secondary school in Snells Beach.The trust purchased Horizon School (formerly Mahurangi Christian School) last year and also bought a large block of adjacent land where it plans to build a school for year 9 to year 13 students.

The event will include guest speaker Petra Bagust and will be held at the Snells Beach Community Centre at 7pm.