Overview

The Ministry of Education has been working with three Catholic Primary schools within the Catholic Parish of Our Lady Queen of Peace (Christchurch South) to establish new enrolment schemes or amendments. The schools are:

• Our Lady of the Assumption School (Christchurch) (amended scheme)
• St Peter’s School (Beckenham) (new scheme)
• Sacred Heart School (Christchurch) (new scheme).

This is to help the Boards of these schools to manage situations where there is more demand for enrolments than there are places available within their maximum roll, provide a fair and transparent processes for enrolment and to ensure we are making the best use of schooling facilities across the Catholic Education Network in Christchurch.

Purpose and principles of an enrolment scheme – New Zealand Legislation

How this applies to a state integrated school – New Zealand Legislation

If there is, or is likely to be, more applicants for enrolment at a State integrated school than there are places available, the Ministry of Education must establish an enrolment scheme for the school. State integrated schools are not required to have a home zone but must accord priority to applicants for whom the school is a reasonably convenient school.

These proposed enrolment schemes identify areas of reasonable convenience for each school in the form of Primary and Secondary Qualifying Parishes. It is proposed that applicants who reside in a Primary Qualifying Parish will be prioritised above applicants who reside in a Secondary Qualifying Parish and these applicants will be prioritised above applicants who live outside a Qualifying Parish. This is a format that has been consulted upon and agreed with the Catholic Education Office.

When

These enrolment scheme amendments are proposed to begin from 1 January 2026.

Students already enrolled

Note that all students who are already enrolled at these schools before the enrolment scheme amendments commence are entitled to stay at the school at which they are currently enrolled.

Additional entitlement to enrol

St Peter’s School (Beckenham) and Sacred Heart School (Christchurch)

The proposals for St Peter’s School (Beckenham) and Sacred Heart School (Christchurch) include an "Additional Entitlement to Enrol" provision. This provision proposes that preference applicants who are siblings of students enrolled at the date that the enrolment scheme is implemented by the school's board will be considered as if they reside within the school’s catchment.

Read the details of this provision within the proposed enrolment schemes and provide specific feedback if this affects you.

This provision is not proposed for Our Lady of the Assumption School (Chch) as the school's first priority catchment area is unchanged.

Information about the consultation

It is important that we hear and understand community perspectives before we establish these enrolment scheme amendments, especially the design of the enrolment categories and priorities.

Read applicable information below before taking part in the consultation.

This consultation process is about enrolment schemes, which determines the entitlement to enrol.

Development and consultation of an enrolment scheme

See the frequently asked questions below for definitions of pre-enrolment and enrolment.

Proposed enrolment schemes

Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish and local schools under the proposed enrolment scheme

Our Lady of the Assumption School (Christchurch)

St. Peter's School (Beckenham)

Sacred Heart School (Christchurch)

Frequently asked questions

Have your say

Take part in the consultation by clicking on the link below.