Overview#
There has been a steady increase in the school roll of Wharenui School in recent years as a result of a growing population within the Wharenui area.
We need to consider options available to manage the roll accommodated on the Wharenui School site. Past actions to manage the roll have included:
- the implementation of an enrolment scheme
- providing extra classrooms on-site.
We must consider non-property solutions before we look at options that require investment in new buildings. More new classrooms on-site to provide for further growth would also limit access to green space, and place pressure on other school facilities.
Non-property options that need to be considered are:
- a change from a Year 1 to 8 school to a Year 1 to 6 school (local Year 7 and 8 education is available at Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate School), or
- significant changes to the enrolment scheme to withdraw the Wharenui School zone from the west of the current home zone area and extending the enrolment scheme of Ilam School.
Option 1: Change of class#
The change of class option to Year 1 to 6 only would result in Year 7 education ceasing from January 2027, and all Year 7 and 8 education ceasing from January 2028.
Year 7 and 8 students who are in-zone for Wharenui School are also in-zone for Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate and would be able to attend this school for their intermediate years.
Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate has sufficient capacity for these students. This would provide mitigation to overcrowding at Wharenui School and would support the local network of schools and education pathways through Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate.
Option 2: Enrolment scheme changes#
Option 2 is a significant zone reduction through a change to the school’s enrolment scheme.
This option would require consultation with neighbouring schools and their communities about significant zone changes. It includes reductions in other parts of their home zones, to allow students from the west of the Wharenui area to enrol. No changes will be made to neighbouring school zones without consultation with their school communities.
The purpose of an enrolment scheme is to:
- assist the school board to manage the risk of overcrowding
- provide a fair and transparent process for enrolment
- make sure we are making the best use of schooling facilities across the network of local schools.
Read more about enrolment schemes below.
The Education and Training Act 2020 outlines the purpose and principles of enrolment schemes for state schools. Right click to open the link in a new window.
Education and Training Act 2020 – New Zealand Legislation
Home zone changes#
A key part of an enrolment scheme is the home zone.
Enrolment scheme changes would mean withdrawing from some existing overlaps with neighbouring schools and transferring a large portion of the Wharenui School zone to Ilam School.
All students who are already enrolled at Wharenui School before any enrolment scheme amendments commence would be entitled to stay at Wharenui School. Siblings of current students would have priority access to any out-of-zone places offered by the school.
The potential changes are detailed in the map below.
All children who live within the home zone of Wharenui School will have an entitlement to attend the school. Those who live outside the home zone may be accepted if there are out-of-zone places available and an application meets legislative requirements.
To be able to do this, boards at state schools keep an eye on the number of applications received from in-zone students. This helps them determine the places they might have available for out-of-zone students once all in-zone enrolments are accepted.
Option 2 would have a more gradual impact on the roll. This option would allow students in the remaining part of the zone to retain access to Year 1 to 8 education. All future students in the west of the current zone would be entitled to enrol at a nearby alternative school for Years 1 to 6 and at Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate for Years 7 and 8.
Have your say#
It is important that we hear and understand community perspectives before we decide on the preferred option for managing roll pressure at Wharenui School. Look at the map and information available before you participate in the engagement process.
After the engagement period ends, we will consider feedback received, alongside other factors such as cost, before making a decision.
If we determine that enrolment scheme changes are required, a separate community consultation will be held.
