School Roll Numbers Low

By STAFF, Herald

South Canterbury secondary school student numbers are slightly back on six months ago — supporting bleak demographic predictions from the Ministry of Education.

There are more than 4000 secondary students which is up about 7 per cent on a decade a go, but secondary schools rolls are slightly down on last year.

There are about 90 fewer students, which statistically is only 2 per cent drop.

However, it supports predictions of slowly dwindling rolls.

The ministry’s mid-range prediction is that by 2018 the secondary- school-aged population will number around 3000 — a fall of 25 per cent.

Student numbers are predicted to remain at this level until at least 2031.

Timaru Boys High School with 670 students is down slightly on last year. It is the largest secondary school in the province and has grown about 15 per cent in the last decade.

Timaru Boys High rector Kevin O’Sullivan said the roll had shown significant movement — 12 years ago it was below 600, but more than 20 years ago had exceeded 700.

Geraldine High School has seen significant growth. The roll is 602, and down on last year’s record of 618, but in the last decade it has grown by 20 per cent. Principal Kerry Stevens said about 35 students came from Pleasant Point and the remaining roll growth reflected the region’s economic growth and Geraldine’s appeal as a lifestyle location.

Roncalli College at 511 has grown by 200 students in a decade.

Timaru Girls High School at 440 is down on last year, but well up on 1997 when it was down to 340.

Craighead Diocesan School has 328 students an increase of 45 since 1997.

Opihi College has 362, similar to last year, but 40 fewer than in 97. Principal John Cruden said the roll was higher than predicted with students staying in education and a number of parents returning to the region with school-age children.

Mountainview High School has 530 which is similar to last year and ahead of predictions. But it has about 100 less students than a decade ago.

The population of Waimate High School at 370 has fallen by about 50 over a decade. Mackenzie College has 192 and declined by about 30 over the past decade.

Twizel Area School teaches students of all ages and was not included in calculations. With 50 year 9 to year 14 students it is the province’s smallest secondary education facility.

Ten years out the ministry’s prediction for primary-school-aged children is a drop of about 300 from the current estimate of 5600.

n Herald Staff

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