Roncalli seeks roll rise offer

Only one South Canterbury high school has applied for the Education Ministry's offer of a temporary roll increase, despite most having to cater for more senior students returning to school.

In June, Education Minister Anne Tolley agreed to consider maximum roll increases for state-integrated schools next year as a temporary measure to accommodate senior student retention.

Regional education deputy secretary Rawiri Brell said the ministry had so far received seven applications from New Zealand schools, including one from South Canterbury.

Roncalli College principal Chris Comeau said the school had applied for the roll extension and was hoping to get it. "We're going to be pretty upset if we don't. It will affect class sizes."

The amount of senior students deciding to stay were about enough to fill a classroom and enough to need another teacher, he said.

The school has a roll of 495 students, but has 520 enrolled for next year.

Students were choosing to return to school because of the economic climate, and not being able to find jobs, he said.

"Also, they are wanting to get qualifications because it improves their chances of getting a job. Schools are also providing more pathways for students, such as the Gateway Programme and courses at polytechs and universities."

Mr Comeau said the extra funding would "basically equate to another teacher".

Mountainview High School principal Derek Friend said it had senior students who had changed their minds about leaving school early, but it did not apply for the temporary roll increase.

"I'm not panicking at this stage," he said. "Traditionally there's always kids who think they're going to leave and get jobs, but then decide to come back. My prediction is there will be more of them.

"It's never going to be accurate, there's always going to be a bit of guesswork in it. I know exactly how many kids are enrolled in year nine, 10, 11 – what I don't know is year 12 and 13.

"I made my staffing decisions based on my figures."

Timaru Boys' High School rector Kevin O'Sullivan said last month there would be more than 20 students above the ministry's prediction for year 13.

"I will be asking our board to trust our instincts rather than what the ministry predicts," Mr O'Sullivan said.

At Waimate High School, there will be five or six more students in year 13 next year than in the last four years.

- © Fairfax NZ News